Double fun for Lions as they beat Mustangs and roar past Tigers
Lee Valley team face Cardiff Devils this weekend
Lee Valley Lions’ first home game of the 2011-12 season kicked off in style with a resounding victory over Kent-based rivals, Invicta Mustangs.
The Lions iced Swiss-born Philippe Mueller in place of Romanas Fedotovas, who was already serving a match ban.
On the other team was veteran Ali Rodger, a Scot who played several seasons for Lee Valley back in the 1980s who ably demonstrated that he’s still able to keep up with his considerably younger team-mates.
The Lions were solid throughout the first period, with co-ordinated attacks on goal by Philippe Mueller and Joe Berry being particularly impressive.
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Despite out-shooting the home side by 20 shots to 11, Invicta never looked dangerous and were kept from scoring by the stirling efforts of Steve Grout between the pipes.
After the first 20 minutes, Lee Valley were already 2-0 up and by the middle of the second period their lead had doubled, the third goal the result of a cracking blue line slapshot from defenceman James Hatfull.
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Invicta finally put the puck past Grout in the Lions’ net soon after, but at the start of the last period they were still trailing by three goals.
The final 20 minutes brought out a more assertive Invicta performance, but it was Blair Dubyk who stepped up to score the first goal of the period, increasing the Lions’ lead once more, with a four-goal advantage now separating the hosts from their Kent opponents.
The visitors’ optimism rose when luck brought them their second goal of the match, but with the scoreline 5-2 to their hosts, victory for Lee Valley looked certain.
However, it was too little and too late for Invicta as the Lions then crushed all hopes of a late comeback for the visitors, when Philippe Mueller and Scott Beeson fired in a further two goals in the dying minutes to create a satisfying 7-2 win.
Lee Valley Lions travelled to the Isle of Wight the following day and celebrated a four-point weekend after defeating Wightlink Tigers 10-5.
The Lions hope to make it three wins in a row this weekend, when they are at home to Cardiff Devils, with face-off scheduled for 5.15pm.
Tickets are available on the door, costing �5 for adults and �3 for children.
