First blood to the Romford Raiders in the NIHL cup semi-final
A hat-trick goal from Andrew Shewfelt with 9 seconds gave the Raiders a slight edge going into the second leg next Thursday.
Match Report: Raiders Vs Lightning
The Lightning started off the game with a lot of energy and we’re rewarded with a lovely goal by Martins Susters who managed to fire it Shortside past Ethan James just 1:31 into the game.
The Lightning did continue to the pressure the home side and created many chances which Ethan James saved excellently. And from that the Raiders would level it up through Andrew Shewfelt. The puck scrambled around the front of the goal and Shewfelt was there to tap it past Jordan Hedley.
However it was an immediate response from the Lightning, just 57 seconds later, Gulliver did well around the back of the goal and fed Toms Rutkis who burried it top corner. Absolutely no chance from Ethan James. The Lightning continues to dominate the period but could not finish the chances off.
End of the first period: Raiders 1-2 Lightning
The second period started different to the first with the Raiders controlling the game a bit better and a piece of magic from Shaun Miller got the hosts level. He toe dragged the puck past the Lightning defenseman and fired it low past Jordan Hedley timed at 24:22.
The game levelled out and both team created many good goalscoring opportunities but it was be the hard work from Ayliffe to pinched the puck off Griffin and dragged it past Hedley which gave the Raiders their first lead in the tie. Goal timed at 35:55.
The Raiders then got a powerplay opportunity right at the end of the second period but it would be the Lightning who got the best chance with Tim Wallace racing away and slotting it through James’ legs. After a lengthy discussion by the refs weather the goal had come off before the puck crossed the line, they gave the goal making it a tied game once again. Timed at 39:45.
End of the second period: Raiders 3-3 Lightning
The home side started the period on the powerplay and took full advantage. Tjay Anderson playing the pass over to Shewfelt who first timed the puck past Hedley to give the Raiders the lead once again! Timed at 40:34.
But just as they had all game, the Lightning battled back into the game and after some good forechecking by Grinell-Parke, he found himself 1 on 1 with James’ and made no mistake slotting it past the netminders legs to make it a tied game yet again. Timed at 45:32.
As the game looked like it would be a draw hesding back to Milton Keynes next week, the Lightning then got into some more penalty trouble and with just nine seconds left of the game, Miller played a lovely pass over to Shewfelt who first timed it past Hedley to get his hat-trick and most importantly give the Raiders the lead after the first leg.
End of the first leg: Raiders 5-4 Lightning
A thrilling matchup and there is still another game to go between these two sides in Milton Keynes next Thursday.
