With a mixture of our Division and Recreation players the Comets were ready to take on the RAF Pumas. Due to a slight difference in numbers some of the Comets were temporarily reassigned to the RAF team including our very own Army representative Chloe Smith (who was very happy to find this out!). The others who very generously agreed help out were Chloe Pugh, Kiera Gilmore-Hardie, Caitlyn Scott and Lily Blank (thanks ladies!).
The first period was strong for the Comets with a few good chances and the first goal coming from Mackenzie MacNamara wearing her bright pink socks (in her first game back after having her baby - Congrats Kenz!). Amy Brennan was solid in the neutral zone and skated the puck skillfully out of the zone before the Pumas went on the attack. Louann Loizou decided to change sport to football and kicked the puck beautifully out of the zone but the Pumas kept their attack up and Amy Brennan was again solid in defence and cleared the chance well.
With a quick 5 minute break the pressure was on to keep the advantage and Christie Shephard had a slapper of a shot on goal followed by a shot from Maddie Edwards 3 minutes into the period. After another shot from Nina Stevens the Pumas responded with speed and got off a shot on goal ably seen off by Meg Baker. Christie Shephard came straight back though and got another shot on goal.
Our very own Chloe Smith then took the Pumas on the attack but they couldn't convert the chance into a goal. The attack then went into the Puma's zone with a very close chance for Amy Schwartz after a lovely pass from Maddie Davies from behind the goal. Another fantastic chance from Nina Stevens couldn't quite hit the mark and then the Comets had their first penalty of the game with Em Lowthian going to the box. The second period then finished up with a strong shot from the #44 player on the Pumas and Christie Shepard forgetting she was meant to use her skates and slaloming on her bum into the boards after chasing down the puck.
The 3rd period started with a shot from the Pumas stopped by Meg Lawrence. The Pumas kept up the attack as well and friendly fire came in the form of Caitlyn Scott but the solid Meg Baker kept it out. The final minutes saw a rally from the Comets and Liv Taylor and Maddie Davies keeping the puck in the attacking zone meant a flurry of shots from Amy Schwartz, Louann Loizou and a last second attempt from Darcie Hammett but nothing could quite make it past the Pumas' goalie.
The game was a fast and furious match with both teams giving their all. Comets' Player of the Game went to #33 Meg Baker with a shutout and Pumas' Player of the Game went to #37 Victoria Parry.