A special night for the Veygo Cardiff Comets with a final home game win in front of our title sponsors.
The Veygo Cardiff Comets faced the Slough Sirens for the first time this season for the first of 2 back to back games. Slough whilst missing some key players are a well-established team with experienced players.
1st period:
The first period saw both sides coming out strong, however the Comets open the scoring tally with an early opening goal from Liv Taylor 42 seconds into the play from a pass from captain Jordan Phipps across the net which set the tone for the intensity of the first period.
Continued pressure, some strong work behind the net along with solid net front presence paid off again for Cardiff with a goal from Maddie Davies on the corner of the net from Phipps at 5.29mins. Three minutes later Liz Shackley also found the net with support from Amy Cannon, shooting from the slot and picking up her own rebound to bring the score to 3-0.
Comets had to work hard as a unit to create opportunities against a well-structured Slough defence, with the Comets defensemen also chasing hard to shut down a number of Slough breakaways. Fourth line stood strong seeing Maddi Edwards pressuring to win the 50/50 and attacking down the centre channel, beating a defender to get the shot on net allowing Comets to face off back in the attacking zone.
The Comets pressure continued, with Sloughs intercepted a Liv Taylor pass from behind the net but the outlet pass was denied by Gemma Kellond at the blue line who made her signature rocket of a shot from the point into the net. The remainder of the 1st period saw attacking at both ends of the ice, however with neither team managing to get past determined netminders, with the period closing out at 4-0 to Comets.
2nd period:
The pressure was soon on in the 2nd period with Slough beating the footrace on the icing calls to put the pressure straight back on Cardiff. However a too many men call against Slough gave Cardiff the advantage with the powerplay, a Daisy Williams pass from the blue found Liv Taylor who patiently drew the D towards her before making a cross net pass to Maddie Davies for the backdoor shot bring to Comets scoring tally to 5.
This was to be the only score of the period however with Cates in goal for Slough saving the remining 23 shots from the home team, frustrating the Cardiff attack multiple times. With a minute and a half left of the period Slough found themselves on the Powerplay from a roughing call against Comets Beth Thomas, however Comets defence stayed strong to see the period out.
3rd period:
The third period was quieter on the scoreboard, however a Maddie Davies shot on goal found the pads of Sloughs netminder who was being screened by Phipps who picked up the rebound for her second goal of the evening.
Another Liv Taylor and Maddie Davies combo closed off the scoring at 51 minutes, with a pass from Taylor to Davies in the slot who put it in the net.
Awards and special mentions:
Post game presentations for this final home game of the season saw a very special visit from our title sponsors Veygo with Ian Edwards and his daughter Amber joining the team on the ice to receive a framed team jersey as a small thank you for their incredible support.
For some special mentions, Kenzie MacNamara stood solid in net once again earning herself yet another shut-out shoe-ey, and a shout out to our defence who played consistently well throughout with intelligent plays to clear the zone and set up attacking options.
Maddie ‘Mad-Dog’ Davies took Man of the Match earned through her relentless forecheck as well as racking up 2 goals and 2 assists. Louann Loizou picked up Spirit Of The Game for her solid work in defence.
Man of the match for Slough was awarded to Elise Willoughby who played a strong attacking game throughout, and Spirit of the Game was picked up by Ester Haskins.
The Comets face Slough again next weekend for the away game; Comets final game of the season and a must-win game if Comets are to secure a league title, facing the imposing challenge of a full strength Slough team at their home barn