Islanders shoot down Comets

The Islanders faced off in their first meeting in this season with old rivals the Cleveland Comets Saturday 1st March 2008 a the Billingham forum.

In an early evening face off the Islanders iced 3 forward lines and 2 defensive units - with player coach Mark Brown stepping up from defence to centre the 3rd forward line.

Ever dependable James "Latts" Latimer started in the pipes for the Islanders in his 3rd consecutive start since signing to the Islanders this season.

The game started well for the Isles as Richie Crowe slotted away an early wrister at 01:38, assisted Cowey, to open up the scoring.

A hustling play in the corners by the Islanders "grind line" found Mark Brown open in front of the Cleveland net. Pouncing on the rebound of his first shot, Brown shelved away his second bite of the cherry, assisted Stocks at 03:13.

More Islanders pressure heaped on the Cometes defence and a great breakout play allowed skipper Craig Thompson to slot away a backhand at 8:25, assisted Haslam and Glazzard.

The flow of the game was all Whitley as the Comets offered little in response to the Islanders early offensive.

Richie Crowe swooped in for his second of the night at 13:02, assisted Scott, before Mark Brown jumped on another rebound at 19:30 and snuck it away at the back post assisted Richardson.

Score 5-0 Islanders, end of the first.

The Islanders started well again in the second period. Riche Crowe bagged his hat-trick at 21:55, unassisted as a long range shot found its way into the net.

The "grind line" stuck again on the next shift at 22:19, Mark Brown releasing a one timer from out in front to get his hat-trick, assisted Stocks and Richardson.

However old habits die hard and the Islanders then fell into an all too familiar second period slump. Despite several good moves they were unable to execute their chances.

The Comets held out and frustrated the Islanders attacks for the rest of the period. Score 7-0 Islanders, end of the second.

A rejuvenated Islanders came out for the third and started the attack again lead by skipper Craig Thompson who dipsy-doodled in from opening the face off and slotted away his second on the night, unassisted at 40:08.

The Comets managed to forge a few attaking moves in this final period of play but were stoned by "Latts" in the Whitley net who made several highlight reel saves flashing the leather to the delight of the Whitley bench.

The Islanders top line scored again soon after, this time Raymond "Ramma" Haslam snapped away his trade mark 5-hole special, assisted Glazzard at 46:03.

Finally a defensive lapse on a Comets attack allowed ex Durham Dragons sniper Gary Walker to score past "Latts" and deny him his shutout at 50:32.

This goal gave the Comets a boost and minutes later they scored again with a dubious goal. Hayden Hunter fired a slapshot that appeared to have been taken from outside the Islanders zone. This pinballed off Isles defender Dave Sproat and shot into the top corner of the net.

Despite Comets players skating back out of the zone to celebrate, and claims of intentional offside from the Islanders bench the goal stood at 55:55, unassisted.

Not finished yet, the Islanders "grind line" notched up its 4th goal of the night, young Anth Richardson banging a rebound into the top shelf at 59:15, unassisted.

The clock ran down to another great Islanders victory with the final score Comets 2 - Islanders 10.

Coaches Comment:

"That was a great road game for us tonight!"

"We stuck to our game plan and reaped the results from keeping it simple and getting the puck to the net."

"We took our foot off the gas a bit in the 2nd period - the Comets were lucky, we could have pushed the score even higher."

"But I am happy with that performance and all the team played great out there tonight"

Man of the match awards went to Tim Richardson for the Islanders and backup netminder Chris Trattles for the Comets.

Full stats from the game can be found here