The Armagh Stars Inline Hockey club recorded their first ever victory on Sunday 1st defeating last season’s NI Inline Snr Champions Bangor Chiefs on penalties to win the game 7:6.
This was the stars 3rd competitive game, and following two excellent performances in their previous games they went into the game optimistic about recording their first win.
It was an action packed start with the stars opening the scoring in the first minute of the game. Player coach Stephen lynch wristing a shot high over the Bangor goalies blocker. The Chiefs responded a minute later with a well worked play to tie the game.
It was a physical game, and was being played at a high pace. 10 minutes into the first period things boiled over with a number of players on both sides getting involved in some roughing. Once things calmed down both teams had a player put in the sin bin, with Stars player Lloyd Wright getting a 5 min penalty.
Once play resumed the stars scored their 2nd of the game through Stephen Lynch, minutes later the Chiefs replied with two unanswered goals to leave the score 3:2 to Bangor at the end of the 1st period.
Period 2 started brightly for the Stars with Stephen Lynch tying the game with his hat trick goal. The stars then had a period of continued pressure and managed to take the lead through recent signing Mark Mc Morris tipping in a slap shot in front of the goalie.
Experienced Simon Black playing in his first game for the Stars rounded off an individual full court rush to give the Bangor goalie little chance and give the Stars a 5:3 lead.
Period three continued to see high speed action and it wasn’t long till Bangor tied the game again with two unanswered strikes. Mark Mc Morris put the Stars ahead again with some excellent battling in front of the Bangor goalie. With 5 minutes left in the game Bangor equalised for the third time in the game to tie the game 6:6.
Regulation time finished in stalemate and a penalty shoot out was required to decide the winner. Gemma Donnelly, & Gary Kernaghan scored to win the game for the Stars. |
