Blackburn Eagles 0 Nottingham Lions 7
The Nottingham Lions bagged seven goals without reply as they dominated an ill-disciplined Blackburn Eagles side at Blackburn Ice Arena on Saturday night.
The Lions were missing the likes of Simon Hunt, Josh Ward and last season’s top-scorer Joe Wightman from their line-up but still produced an impressive performance to make it three wins from three for Matt Bradbury’s men so far this season.
Wes Barnett and Ben Wood exchange words.
Nottingham would have without question, hit double figures if it were not for the heroics of Eagles’ netminder Nick Saxton as the Lions bombarded their hosts’ goal with a total of 101 shots.
The visitors put some good early pressure on Saxton’s goal but it took eleven minutes before they finally broke through thanks to some neat stickwork from Ollie Betteridge.
American import Luke Branin then hit his second goal in two games three minutes later and despite being on the end of some big hits from their hosts, Nottingham held firm.
Steve Hetherington came closest for the home side on a short-handed breakaway but was denied by an in-form Sam Gospel in the Lions’ goal.
Nottingham got off to a flying start in the second period with two quick goals from Michael Rose and Gareth O’Flaherty.
As the game began to slip for the Eagles’ grasp they became increasingly more frustrated and began to take a number of roughing and game misconduct penalties. O’Flaherty took advantage of this on the powerplay for his second of the night with four minutes remaining before Ben Wood fired home a sixth.
Gareth O’Flaherty – Scored a brace along with Ollie Betteridge.
The Lions launched a thirty-six shot assault on Saxton’s goal in the third period but the Blackburn custodian’s acrobatics kept the scoreline respectable as Nottingham only managed the one goal for their efforts – Betteridge getting his fifth of the season.
LionsTV post-game interviews with Matt Bradbury, Luke Thomas and Cameron Good can be found here.
Deeside Dragons are the visitors to the National Ice Centre next Sunday (30th September – 7.15pm face off) as the Lions now prepare for what is sure to be their toughest test of the season so far.
Game Stats:
Craig Wallis 0+1, Luke Thomas 0+1, Jack Baveystock 0+2, Ben Wood 1+1, Michael Rose 1+2, Ollie Betteridge 2+0, Luke Branin 1+1, Christy Johnson-Brown 0+1, Gareth O’Flaherty 2+0.
Period Scores: 1st – 0-2, 2nd – 0-4, 3rd 0-1.
Shots on Goal: 1st – 11-28, 2nd – 3-41, 3rd – 10-36. Total: 24-101.
Penalty Minutes: 1st – 2-0, 2nd – 57-6, 3rd – 94 – 0. Total: 153-6.
Lions MOTM – Cameron Good.
