This fixture was the home start for Whitley Ice hockey under 12’s. A tough off season training schedule saw the team hit the ice well prepared under the coaching of Gary Wood. The game started at a very high pace with a chance on goal from Thomas Fraser after only 20 seconds. This was followed up with a fantastic solo move and shot by Callum Taylor, the Sheffield net minder making good saves on each occasion.
A 2 minute minor was given to Jay Lucas for roughing and amazingly, Joe Walls scored a spectacular break-out goal against the power play on 14 minutes to put Whitley Arrows into the lead, which they kept for the first period.
The second 15 minutes started at a relentless pace, with both sides going all out in attack. This lead to Joe Walls picking the puck up on the blue line, beating three defenders and scorching a shot into the bottom corner of the net for Whitley to go two up.
Callum Taylor’s 2 minute minor for roughing gave the momentum back to Sheffield and some fine saves from Daniel Crowe kept the visitors out. A change in net minder for Sheffield paid off as a double save denied the speedy Fraser. A lucky break of the puck led to Sheffield scoring on 26 minutes, making for an electric atmosphere in the rink.
The third and final period saw Whitley come out of the blocks well with a goal from Walls for his hat-trick, only to be pegged back 20 seconds later by Sheffield. A fourth from, yes, you guessed it, Joe Walls made it 4 – 2 to Whitley with 10 minutes to go. Some great work by Sheffield’s Isaac Tse drew it back to 4 – 3 with a return by Fraser to edge Whitley ahead by two clear goals.
With 5 minutes left Whitley’s D man, Jack Henebelle picked up a 2 minute minor for tripping. He was followed by into the penalty box by Callum Taylor for some retaliatory roughing. Taylors exit from the box gave him a jump onto the puck and he slotted under pressure from 3 defenders for a 6 – 3 advantage to the home side. What a goal for the impressive Taylor, which capped a thrilling victory for the Arrows. Next home game is 12.30 p.m. face-off on 24th November v Solihull.