Goalkeeper Will Sanderson was showered with praise as Streatham Redskins came from behind to beat Milton Keynes Thunder 5-1 on Sunday.
Goals from Michal Ovarek, Steven Fisher, Liam Rasmussen, Louis Lockwood and Callum Best extended Redskins’ winning run to four games as they moved up to third in National Ice Hockey League South One.
Captain Joe Johnston was delighted with the determination of his side as Ovarek’s third goal of the season levelled the scores just 10 seconds after the Redskins had gone behind.
He said: “We showed great character by going behind so early and then scoring five unanswered goals, which is never a bad thing.
“I can’t think of anyone who had a bad game, it was a great team performance.”
The Redskins lost their opening game of the season 3-2 to Thunder and the four goal-winning margin highlighted the improvement that has led to four league wins on the bounce.
Johnston said: “After the defeat at Milton Keynes we could have gone one of two ways and I think our performance here showed we have improved as a team.”
Despite the comfortable scoreline the Redskins were grateful for a man of the match performance from Sanderson.
In a tight second period, Sanderson made a string of saves that allowed Streatham to assert their dominance and pull away from Thunder.
Sanderson said: “I’m really proud of my team and of my performance, we knew that we needed to perform and I personally believe that we did that.”
Sanderson’s performance did not go unnoticed by Johnston who said: “Will played out of his skin and fully deserves his man of the match award.”
Both sides had a player sin-binned for tripping in a tightly contested final period in which Best’s sixth league goal of the season completed the rout.
The win keeps Streatham in the top three and veteran Johnston believes the south London outfit can build on their recent form.
He said: “Winning is a habit, and I think we can take this win into next week and continue that habit.”
They face Cardiff Devils at home next Saturday.
Feature image of Steven Fisher, courtesy of Rick Webb
