The last game of the season would decide if the Veygo Cardiff Comets topped the league for the 2nd year running or if newcomers Cambridge Kodiaks would take the coveted spot.
The week before Slough travelled to Cardiff where the Comets pulled off a decisive 7-0 win. However back on home turf and with some of their top scorers playing Cardiff knew this wouldn't be an easy game. From the first whistle the intensity was high from both teams. The first shift had a good shot on goal but the first goal came from the second shift with Mya Harewood, assisted by Liz Shackley, putting in a goal in at 1 minute 30 seconds. With a second goal following at 5 minutes from Liv Taylor the Comets kept the pressure up. The Sirens were called for tripping at the 10 minute mark but kept the Comets contained on the penalty kill. At 14 minutes Captain Jordan Phipps scored on a beautiful passing play from Liv Taylor behind the Sirens' net to put the Comets 3-0 up in the first period.
The second period showed Slough's mettle as they came out battling to score 2 minutes into the period. Cardiff found it a challenge to combat Slough's strong offensive but Liv Taylor still found a way to score and take the score to 4-1 to the Comets. Less than two minutes later the Sirens had answered back with a goal of their own and even with a two goal lead the Comets knew that could easily disappear with the intensity of the Sirens. The Sirens found themselves on a penalty kill with an interference call but the Comets didn't have the player advantage for long with a tripping call. With no further goals for the period the score going into the 3rd period was 4-2 to the Cardiff Comets.
The third period was a tense battle up and down the ice and although the Comets peppered the Sirens' goalie Park with shots (11 in the 1st period, 19 in the 2nd and 14 in the 3rd) she kept Cardiff off the score board. As the minutes ticked down both teams kicked up a gear and in the last minute a player from each team got into a small tussle before being sent to the box and the game finished at a high tempo 4 on 4. As the clock ticked into the 60th minute the tension was high on the bench for the culmination of the 23/24 season. As the whistle blew the Comets swarmed onto the ice as WNIHL2 South Champions for the 2nd year running.
Player of the Game went to Amy Cannon who put pressure on the Sirens any chance she got and played with speed and skill. The Cardiff Comets will be heading to Sheffield for the Playoffs in 2 weeks time. In person tickets and streaming of games for the Playoff weekend will be available for a low fee.
Thank you to all the Comets' supporters, managers and coaches. We truly couldn't do it without you!