Published: Monday, 19th November, 2007 10:43
Jets crash at the Hive
By Observer Sport
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English Premier Knock-out Cup
Bracknell Bees 3, Slough Jets 1
THE Slough Jets slumped to their first loss in the English Ice Hockey Premier League’s Knock-out Cup competition at the home of their Berkshire rivals on Sunday.
The visitors never recovered from a slow start that saw them two goals down within the first 10 minutes.
Despite pulling a goal back and rallying in the second period, a late third goal from Bracknell’s Tom Carlon buried any chances of a comeback.
Slough started the game very nervously and found themselves pinned in their own third as the Bees worked hard to put them under pressure.
This told after just 1.39 when Michal Kanka found Peter Jasik completely free in front of goal and gave Dean Skinns no chance with a point-blank finish.
The Jets immediately had the chance to hit back with a long powerplay, including a minute-and-a-half of five-on-three.
However, superb defence from the home team kept their lead intact. Gregg Rockman had to endure some venomous close range shots from Joe Ciccarello, but managed to keep the former Bee at bay.
Sloppy possession from Slough allowed Brackenell to counter at pace through Jasik and Jan Melichar, and a clinical finish from Kanka gave the home side a deserved two-goal lead at 9.46.
Just a minute later it took an excellent save from Skinns to prevent Kanaka scoring one of the goals of the season after waltzing straight through the middle of a lack-lustre Slough defence.
After killing a Scott Spearing penalty for charging, the Jets hauled themselves back into the game. Zoran Kozic, returning to the side after another absence last weekend, combined with Nicky Chinn to set up Paddy Ward for a neat finish.
Before the end of the first period, the away side were again indebted to Skinns, who made two one-on-one stops as Bracknell continued to find gaps with too much ease.
During the second period the Jets got themselves back on level terms in a performance sense, if not on the scoreboard.
They showed a bigger physical presence and enjoyed better territory and posession, generally exercising more influence over the direction of the game.
Either side could have scored what would have been a crucial goal, but the period remained goalless.
Slough initially brought their renewed fight into the final period, but began to tire as the clock ran down and allowed mistakes to creep into their play.
Carlon’s strike after 52.53 was enough to secure the points and both teams played out the final five or so minutes at a casual pace.
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