Battling Pitbulls Pick Up The Points Against Raiders

By Xanthe Boursier-Gazzard

The Bristol Drive North Pitbulls skated away with a 4-2 win on Saturday night following a strong performance on home ice against the Romford Raiders, a key encounter for both teams currently in the chase for a playoff position.

Both teams were eager for chances from the face-off, taking the puck end to end, testing both import netminders, Tommy Nappier and Cole Ceci. Despite multiple scoring opportunities, it wasn’t until the seventeenth minute that the Raiders could open the scoring as Andrew Coxhead gained possession off the stick of Tjay Anderson, putting the visitors ahead. Their lead didn’t last long, however, as Bayley Harewood flicked a shot past Ceci to tie up the game before the second period.

The back and forth continued into the second; however, the Raiders were able to restore their lead in the final minute as Jack Cooper put the puck past the line, closing off a period that initially saw both sides holding firmly onto the scoreline.

The home team retaliated in the final twenty minutes, responding to Romford’s second goal to take the lead for the first time throughout the game. Rhys Smetham scored the equaliser five minutes into the period, firing a shot to the back of the net following sustained pressure on Ceci in the Pitbulls offensive zone. Jake Bricknell chased this just thirty seconds later, giving them their third goal of the evening, which would be important to maintain their lead on. As Romford hunted down a goal to level the scoreboard, the Pitbulls capitalised on their empty net decision, which allowed Harewood to weave the puck past the Raiders’ defenceman and deliver the puck to the back of the netting, finalising their win at 4-2.