Chelmsford Nighthawks Ice Hockey Club

Nighthawks top Titans to Cap Perfect June

The Nighthawks continued their dominant play at home to defeat the Cardiff Titans 5-3 on Saturday. A close first period saw Scott Monaghan score for Cardiff to take the lead on the powerplay with Chelmsford evening the score minutes later through Lee Hounslow. Shortly into the second period Greg Lee put the Nighthawks up 2-1 with a nifty passing play by Ash Leon. A charging penatly on Titan's Griffiths saw the player receive 5 plus game, which resulted in Hounslow setting up Andrew Cownden to score on the powerplay and a open up a 3-1 lead.

The game continued to be close and played at a good pace, chances came at both ends but Chelmsford would again be the next to score. An individual shorthanded effort by Greg Lee saw him out-pace two Cardiff defenders and the Titans goaltender for the puck, slotting it home to make it 4-1 midway through the 2nd. A delay of game penalty at 35:55 gifted Cardiff a powerplay which they capitalised on through a screened shot from the point by Andy Medway. The period wound down with the Nighthawks leading 4-2.

Both teams opened the third period with chances but it wasn't until Miroslav Pilat cut in from the right wing to score on another great individual effort did Chelmsford push their lead to 5-2. Cardiff made things interesting with 8 minutes to go, Huw Poulton scoring from a pass by Matt Griffiths. Coach Kevin Betts called a time-out for Chelmsford and ensured the Nighthawks tightened up defensively. A strong team effort by the whole squad saw Cardiff go without any further scoring chances in the period. The Nighthawks celebrated a big win at the buzzer, a win that (coupled with Cardiff's 5-0 defeat to Swindon on sunday) sees all 4 teams at the top with a chance at taking the league title heading into the last month of the season. MOM for the Nighthawks went to NM Dave Abbott (37 shots).

The 2008 Summer Cup sees nine teams participating including Cardiff, Basingstoke, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Streatham, Solent and Gosport, Swindon and Telford. It looks to be one of the most competitive years yet and should make for some exciting summer ice hockey.  

Chelmsford Nighthawks

Vs.

Basingstoke Cougars

Saturday 5th July, Face Off 5:15pm

Riverside Ice and Leisure, Chelmsford

Admission is free and it would be great to see you all there so come get your fix of Hockey !

Keep and eye on the fixtures list as there are many more games coming up over the Spring and Summer.