Hurrah, normal service is resumed. Bracknell played a dire match against even worse opposition, and somehow seemed to win by three goals. OK, I'm being very harsh, only the Moo-moos were absolutely dire :-))))))
With this being my first opportunity to watch both teams, I took quite a bit of interest in the warm-up, and decided that Scott Campbell and Todd Kelman both look pretty useful for us, along with all our returning players. Last year's players look to have beefed up over the summer, although I wouldn't go so far as to say we're a big team, not like the Storm or steelers (only other ISL teams I've seen yet), so I doubt we'll scare people for that. Indeed, I kept mistaking Tom Gomes for Kevin King (ahh, happy memories.....:-DDD). However, we still seem to have that sharp coaching thanks to Firetruck, so who knows, should pull off a few surprises again.
The game itself started with both teams making a few good moves, but no real threat to either goal. The Bees were making good passing moves right through to that final player, who would make a stupid mistake and the play would die. With nothing to really liven the two sets of fans up, a fight between strachan and Junker was just what was needed, although it was quickly resolved (after strachan about edged it) and forgotten, and the fans went back to sleep again. They were woken up again at 5:40, when a mistake by the Bison defence (surprise, surprise) was capitalised on by Bracknell. Tom Gomes managed to pick up a loose puck in the Bison zone and, although his shot was blocked by a diving defender, the puck went to Brian Pellerin who was through unmarked and casually slotted home. 1-0 to the Bees and we all had an opportunity to chlear our throats. A minute and a half later, on a good attack by the Bees, Shayne McCosh recieved the pass in middle-ice on the blue-line, and let rip a good slapshot. Gallace was able to get his pads to it, but could only turn it as far as the prowling Jeff Johnstone (who has grown at least 2 foot in the summer) and he calmly tucked it away. At this point, Bracknell were all over the Bison. A dubious penalty to Dave Whistle for Interference, when the Bison appeared to have skated into his stick, meant the Bison ended up being able to put pressure in the Bees' zone. Garden missed an easy backhand in the crease, when he fanned over the puck, and another sitter was well saved, after the puck was squared in front of the Bracknell net to an unmarked Bison, who took plenty of time, but still saw Bernie drop well to cover the shot. Later, Kevin Conway was sent through on a brilliant defence-splitting pass, skated 1-on-1 with Bernie, only to see him drop to his knees and knock his soft shot past the post, where the defence were able to clear. And this was how the period ended, with the Bison not able to make the most of their pressure.
Within 30 seconds of the restart, Joe Ferraciolli skated down the right-hand side, squared to Wayde Bucsis leaving Gallace totally flat-footed, but he still managed to get accross and block Butch's shot well. Two minutes later, Ferras picked up the puck on the Bracknell blue-line, and found himself and the Chief 2-on-1 with a Bison defender, who they left in their wake. Perhaps Ferras had noticed Gallace move early on the first breakaway, and instead of passing he simply dummied, saw Gallace make a move towards the Chief, and roofed the puck nicely. 3-0 to Bracknell and we're feeling quite happy. 45 seconds Bracknell went 4 up, after Dale Junkin drove to the net, fell after being held by a defender, but the puck still had enough momentum to slide somehow under the prostrate Gallace, who was not having a good game. Bracknell now started to pick up penalties, but actually looked stronger on the PK anyway (just like last year, then). Junkin decided to shoot on goal, rather than just ice it, despite being in the Bees' zone. The resulting shot saw Gallace forced to make a good glove save, and the sprinting Bucsis made him hold onto it. Bracknell's work ethic has not disappeared. Unfortunately, on a couple of occassions we drew stupid penalties. Dav whistle, who should now better as Assistant Coach, was given a 2 minute misconduct penalty for having a go at Boniface after a hooking call was ignored. Stupid. As well as being good shorthanded, Bracknell were constnatly watching for the player stepping out of the box, and several times sent players through on breakaways from this move. The Bees at this time were still firmly on top of the Bison, and Gallace was called on several times to make good saves. Then a strange thing happened. Firstly, Matty lost his stick and was forced to grab the puck and sit on it. Surely a penalty for deliberate delay of the game? However, none was called, and the Bison complained. Yet, it was Tom Gomes who went to the box, after saying something to Boniface. Very stupid, absolutely uncalled for, and it would cost us. In 30 seconds, Greg Burke was also off for High sticks (another dubious call), giving the Bison 1 minute 30 of 5-on-3 powerplay. And they took it, scoring first through Steve Brown, who found himself alone in the slot after a good build up, and had plenty of time to find the net. Then, a minute later, a second powerplay goal came after a rediculous bounce of the boards (the boards gave several really stupid bounces tonight. Something that needs looking at, along with the pads in the goals). The Bison iced the puck deep in the zone, it hit the corner and shot out directly in front of Bernie, where it was picked up by Jamie Black and tucked away. Two goals in a minute and you'd expect the Bison to really go for it. Of course, you forget Mr Pete Woods :-)))) Again, it was Bracknell who ended the period on sustained pressure.
So, onto the third period, and surely a close derby like this will produce some excitement and tensions? Nope :-(( The game pretty much just tailed off, with the Bison not seeming to care at all. Even when Bracknell scored, 2 minutes into the period, they didn't seem too bothered. Burke had won the puck in the Bracknell zone, and bounced it down the ice off the boards. Gomes and a Bison went in a chase for it, and somehow the tiny Gomes managed to beat him in the corner and square the pass in front of the goal for the unmarked Dave Whistle to nonchallently backhand into the roof of the net. After that, there wasn't much worth reporting. Some good moves broke down after the Bison crowded their zone. Pete Woods was playing his usual tactics of defending a deficit. The last Bracknell powerplay produced some really nice pass-and-moves, but Gallace was able to stop everything.
So, a fairly dour game. Afterwards, the Bracknell players looked so bored and depressed, you'd have thought they'd just been thrashed by Peterborough, not beaten derby opposition. Some good things can be said, however. The Bee's defence looked to be pretty solid, although obviously they were rarely tested. In particular, Scott Campbell made some good checks, was up for everything, didn't like Merv the Perv (hurrah) and generally made his presence felt. Todd Kelman looks to be another Shayne McCosh (even looks his spitting image), flying up the ice at every opportunity. Bernie was his usual solid self. He was rarely pushed tonight, bt he managed to stay concentrated, and did what was needed. The forwards still need to gel better, however. they made some very slick passing moves, but which broke down, presumably through lack of familiarity and communication. Overall, though, I'm quite optimistic we can reclaim our sixth spot :-))))) Perhaps the addition of a very big defender, or an impressive forward, would help, and a longer bench will definitely be needed if we really want to compete.
As for the Bison, well they were their usual boring, unambitious selves. Even when three goals down, it was obvious Pete Woods was only prepared to defend, and he continued to play his curious brand of Dump and Change hockey. none of the new players particularly impressed me, and their best player was probably either Steve Brown, who had a hand in both gpoals and seemed to be arsed, or Merv the Perv, who at least tried to wind Bracknell up (as always). Personally, I'm surprised that Pete Woods isn't collecting his P45 yet. The Bison probably have an OK squad there, but the way they're coached and play, they'll never compete with the others.
Boniface had an "ish" evening. No other way to describe it. He certainly wasn't even as good as average, but it would be unfair to say he had a bad game, either. He made some dubious calls, and annoyed both sets of fans with missed calls that stuck out a mile. However, neither team benefited, as they were both called fairly equally, so not too bad I suppose. Doe anyone know if he refed in the Prems last year? It seems a bit of a leap from lino to ref in the ISL in one season.
Oh, and overall, I think I quite like the new kit.