Streatham Redskins 5-3 Bracknell Hornets
Streatham Redskins maintained their perfect start to the new season with a second win of the weekend after beating Bracknell Hornets in a closely-fought contest.
After opening their season with a 7-4 win at London Raiders on Saturday, a debut Redskins goal for new signing Chris Wiggins as well as strikes from Joe Johnston, Evander Grinnell and two from Steven Fisher secured victory against Bracknell.
DEBUT JOY: Chris Wiggins, left, celebrates his first Redskins goal. Credit Rick Webb
They did make it hard it for themselves as a brief lapse in concentration from Wiggins, combined with two power-play efforts, handed Bracknell player/coach Daniel Hughes a hat-trick of goals and his side the lead in the final period.
That lead was only momentary however, as Streatham turned the game on its head to not only equalise, but re-establish their advantage through Johnston and Fisher, before Grinnell sealed the win.
First home game @StreathamHockey. Goal no.4 @19Fisher💥 pic.twitter.com/p05DSflsQH
— mia preece (@mia_preece) September 13, 2015
“It’s always good to get a game winner, but two points was what we needed as we’re still gelling as a team,” said Fisher.
“Next game we should be on fire and may be able to score a few more goals to not make it so tight.
“In patches we were really good but we took our foot of the gas with a couple of bad penalties which put us on the back foot.
“But when it got to 2-2 we just seemed to pull together and that’s a good sign of character for the rest of the season.
“We’re a winning team so that’s what we’re going to do all year.”
BACK OF THE NET: Evander Grinnell follows the puck into the net. Credit Rick Webb
Playing in their first home match of the campaign Streatham’s aggressive style was clear from the outset when Wiggins was penalised just five seconds in for tripping.
Streatham conceded penalty infringements throughout but Bracknell wasted their initial power-play chances and it was the Redskins who opened the scoring on 14 minutes when Fisher received a pass from Wiggins to get a clear shot at goal which he converted from close range.
Two of Streatham’s new recruits linked well to double the lead shortly into the second period, and again it was Wiggins who was at the heart of the action.
Although short-handed at the time, Kamil Kimkor’s pass from the left fell perfectly into the path of Wiggins who could not miss.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Redskins keeper David Wride made a number of fine saves. Credit Rick Webb
Moments later Bracknell made the hosts’ repeated penalty infringements pay, and with a two-man advantage, Daniel Hughes’ deflected shot looped over Streatham goalkeeper David Wride.
The Hornets began the final period with an immediate equaliser as once again their power-play advantage allowed Hughes to score from midway into the attacking zone with a powerful shot.
Hughes completed his hat-trick to give the visitors the lead when Wiggins briefly averted his gaze from his opponent to allow the Bracknell captain a clear route to goal.
Undeterred, Streatham’s captain, Johnston, roused his teammates to produce an immediate fight-back when his strike was closely followed seconds later by Fisher’s second of the match to restore the lead.
Grinnell bundled the puck into the net with his skates to complete the scoring for Streatham, but with Bracknell opting to pull their goalkeeper in the dying moments, Fisher almost claimed a hat-trick when his shot hit the left post.
On Saturday, Joe Allen scored twice and teenager Daniel Clayton scored his first senior goal in victory over London Raiders.
Fisher, Liam Rasmussen, Ryan Giles and Johnston were also on the scoresheet.
Redskins host Milton Keynes Thunder next Sunday 6.45pm.
Feature image of Steven Fisher scoring against Bracknell Hornets, courtesy of Rick Webb, with thanks
