Well, a vague-ish report from the match. Pirates started minus four players, 3 imports - Al Meola, Jason Heywood and Jeff Ainsworth - Paul Hand, and long-term injury, Craig Wilson, and with Craig Lindsay again in nets. Bees were missing Frank LaScala - who says he hopes to be playing again by late february - and rested Paxton Schulte after a knee scare, whilst Brian Greer started in goal. Bracknell, with their 11-1 score at home, had no pressure, and played their most defence-minded defender, Matt Cote, as a centre all night.
Bees got off to fast paced start, and almost immediately pinned back Paisley in their own zone. After two minutes, the puck came to the Chief near the boards, who spun round and played it to Cote at the point. Matt's slapshot seemed to be destined for his first goal of the season, but Jeff Johnstone's flick from besides the post proved to be the vital touch. Only a minute later, and the Bees doubled their lead. Dale Junkin latched onto a rebound, but snatched at it and sent the puck high and wide. Colin Ward was standing to the left of the goal, caught the puck, let go and swung his stick baseball-style at it, batting it into the twine. Just under six muinutes into the game, Ward took the puck off away from Lindsay's graping gloves, and squared to Junkin. With the goal open to his mercy, he hit the post from just two yards out, but the rebound shot straight back to him and he made no mistake with his second effort.
Despite the heavy mauling, Pirates never gave up. Lynch and Downes both went close with break-aways, and Stephen Lynch was leading the line exceptionally well, but the Pirates just couldn't break through. At 11:44, they were punished again. Good skating by McKinlay saw him head into the circle, drawing Lindsay to cut down the angle. Mac crossed the puck to the opposite circle, and it was merely a formality for PC Drouin to score his first of the night. It was Drouin again who scored Bees next goal, and arguably the best of the night. Kelman had the puck in his own zone, brought it to the blue-line and saw Drouin skating alongg the Pirates blue. An excellent pass split the two d-men, and allowed PC to turn and skate in unattended on Lindsay. A nice double deke left Lindsay flat-footed, and Drouin had no trouble going past him and tucking home. Despite further efforts, there was no more scoring in the first period.
Whatever Paul Hand said at the break, it must have worked, because Paisley came out with much more belief. With just 2:42 gone on the period, they pulled a goal back. John Reid was speculatively chasing a defender behind the net, when he somehow was able to steal it. He skated round the net and into the slot, where he shot on goal. The puck bounced off the inside of Greers leg and nestled in the goal. This brought the crowd to life, and the team began to feel that, although they couldn't turn over a 16-2 aggregate, they might at least score a moral victory. Paisley seemed much more fired up, and the first penalty of the match came after 28 minutes. Todd Kelman and James (or Jams? The programme seems uncertain) Clarke chased a puck for icing. todd touched up first and the whistle was duly blown. However, Clarke continued his charge and smashed Todd into the boards. Kelman turned to face his attacker to discuss the issue further, but before he had a chance to open his side of the debate, Norm Dezainde came flying in. From where we were stood, it was hard to see all the proceedings (Paisley's sight-lines are *awful*!), but it seems that Norm comprehensively beat down Clarke's synopses (brutally), and he sat for 4 minutes, Clarke taking just 2. Talking to Paisley fans later, it seems that during the cut and thrust of the debate, Norm had grabbed Clarke's face-mask, and so they felt he should have walked for that. In my humble opinion, I disagree, as he should have gone for the prior infringement of Third Man In, and Clarke should have also had an early shower through the new boarding rules. Still, it's good to talk.
Paisley were still keeping the pressure up on Bracknell, who themselves were making little head-way. Paisley were marking very tightly, and Bracknell's player's could find little room and, too be frank, had little inclination to make it either. Shayne McCosh almost let Pirates in for a second when he slipped in the Bees zone, leaving the loose puck free for Paisley to latch on to. Greer was able to eflect the resulting shot just wide, and it was picked up by Dennis Burke. He charged down the length of the ice before playing a reverse pass to Colin Ward, who knocked the puck under the falling Lindsay. This rather saved the Bees blushes, who looked on course for loosing the period. This goal pretty much crushed Paisley, although a hooking penalty by Johnstone late in the period gave them renewed hope.
If Paisley hadn't yet been broken, they would be soon into the third period. In just over thirty seconds, Dennis Burke scored Braknell's seventh of the match. The puck had been won in the corner by Junkin, and he found Burke standing just outside the crease. Burke took his time, waited for Lindsay to drop, then took one side step and flicked the puck over the prostrate keeper. Less than a minute later, Bracknell scored again, in a great flowing move. Sal Manganaro skated down one side of the pad, sent the puck cross ice to Dezainde, who one-timed it between keeper and near post. Bracknell continued their quick-fire scoring, increasing the lead two minutes later. joe Ferracioli pounced on a rebound ad skated behind the net. His pass out in front found Johnstone in the crease, who lifted the puck over Lindsay. Bracknell's tenth came from a similar move, Junkin's pass from behind the net finding Dennis Burke, whose hard low shot made no mistake. Colin Ward scored his hat-trick marker after a 2-on-1 break by himself and Chris Brant. Colin took the puck forward, faked a slap-shot, and then deftly placed the puck under the distraught keeper. Matt Cote, who had been desperately searching his first goal of the season all night, came close when Lindsay puched his effort onto the bar then caught the rebound. Jeff Johnstone scored his hat-trick through a good piece of interplay between himself and Joe ferraccioli. Jeff crossed the Pirates' blue-line and passed forward to Joe. Ferras skated in on net and drew Lindsay out, dummied a shot and played the puck back to Jeff, who easily found the empty net. The final goal of the night saw PC Drouin also net a hat-trick, with a great individual effort. From the face-off, he won the puck, left the Paisley players flat-footed, skated across Lindsay's crease and back-handed the puck into the goal.
All in all, the expected result. Bracknell didn't really perorm to their peak (as you'd expect), and really treated this as an extended training session. At times they gave Piasley a lesson in top-class (by British standards) hockey, at other times, they showed total complacence. Neither side seemed really fired up for thematch - understandable with a crowd of just 676 - and both were probably trying to avoid injuries. Paisley were always going to stuggle, whilst missing 4 key players. Lindsay was outstanding for them, despite the goals conceeded, and should a real star in the BNL. He deservedly won their MOM. I was also impressed by Stephen Lynch, however, who never gave up and led the line well, creating chances whenever Paisley attacked. For Bracknell, no player really stood out. It was a surprise, though, when Greg Burke won the MOM. Colin, PC and Jeff (who scored 7 goals over the weekend!) all scored hat-tricks, whilst Chiefy and Ferras were both constantly creating opportunities. Chris seemed to ice about 40 minutes! however, if it was down to me to pick MOM, I would have chosen Deniis Burke, who worked hard all night, hustled, chased and scored a good number of points.
Hmmmm, now bring on the Eagles (he says over-confindently!)