Cracking show from Jets

Patrick Corlett • Published 30 Sep 2009 13:00 0 Comments

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Ice hockey

'THE best game of hockey' that head coach Pete Russell has witnessed in the EPL saw his Slough Jets beaten 4-3 in overtime by big spending Guidlford Flames on Saturday.

"We played really well on Saturday," said head coach Pete Russell. "We started really slowly but battled back well and showed excellent spirit to get right back int he game.

"It's the best game of hockey I've been involved with since I've come to the EPL. It had everything, hard hitting and skillful hockey but three times I've gone to overtime with Guildford and three times Milos (Melicherik) has scored the winner."

Both teams came out firing for this encounter and Slough were without Joe Greener after he picked up an early 2+10 penalty.

Guildford got on the board at 9.49 to open the scoring through Lukas Smital and just under three minutes later they doubled up their lead when Gary Clarke scored past Gregg Rockman at 12.37.

Slough continued to pepper their ex-netminder Dean Skinns but he kept a clean sheet to give his team the two goal lead at the interval.

The second period saw the Jets step up and a goal just 1.35 in from Ciaran Long halved the deficit as he converted a powerplay.

Penalties hurt the Flames throughout the period as captain Blaz Emersic netted at 29.39 to level the game.

In a period dominated by special teams, Clarke netted his second on a powerplay at 31.59 to put the visitors back ahead but Slough dominated and deservedly ended it tied after Joe Greener netted another powerplay goal at 35.57.

The third period saw the teams share 29 shots with the Jets again dominating the shooting but they could not get past Skinns. Guildford came agonisingly close when they rattled the post towards the end of regulation time and both teams took their timeouts within the final three minutes but the game still went to overtime.

The rivals started overtime aggressively but it was Milos Melicherik who scored the game winning goal.

"Guildford are a team that has been together a long, long time and they have spent a lot more money than us but it showed waht we can do," added Russell.

An immediate chance for revenge for the opening day defeat saw the Bracknell Bees push the Slough Jets harder on Sunday but they still went down 7-5 at the Hive.

For full reports and reaction, plus a weekend preview see Friday's Observer.

This article appeared in Royal Borough Observer 02 Oct 09

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