The 3PM faceoff at Ice Sheffield marks the start of the 2012 post season for Division 1 teams.
The Manchester Metros started the usual suspects-- Allen Gunn centering wingers, Joe Holder and Shayne Langlois; Max Drakeley and Kieren De'Ath in defence. Gunn-Holder-Langois entered the contest as the Metros most productive and consistent regular season line, boasting a combined 36 points between the trio.
As play got underway, the Metros controlled the tempo early, establishing a dump & chase tactic early on-- but would not continue the entire game. Gunn and Langlois put the fore-check on in the opening seconds causing havoc behind the net. Langlois delivered a gut-wrenching check on Oxford's defender. The puck was sent skewing to Max Drakeley who opened the scoring just 24 seconds in.
The next segment saw Oxford respond to draw even one all. The two teams then exchanged goals between one another. Oxford seemed to lack a cohesion around the net as most goals came from 1 on 1 situations.
Fortunate enough for the Metros, they never felt a deficit until they went down 4-3. Remaining calm, the Metros rallied to score the next 3 goals, regaining the lead at 6-4 (goals from Drakeley, Brown, Holder). From then, Oxford seemed to disheartened, but were unable to cope with defeat. The Gunn-Holder-Langlois trio combined on Joe Holder's rebound goal.
Somewhere in Melrose, Scotland, Sir Walter Scott's grave is murmuring, "All in a day's work."
Robyn Maby was called upon for her usual 3rd period heroics, making save after save from scrambles in front of her net. Her stellar play frustrated the Oxford players who seemed to always be on the verge of scoring, but could not finish past the wall known as Robyn. The performance earned her Player of the Match.
Metros B teamer, James Lloyd made a cheeky remark of Robyn's performance, stating, "Who needs Batman when you have Robyn?".
Marc Ethernington capped the Metros victory celebrations with an empty netter to extend the lead, 8-5.
The handful of spectators on hand to witness the Metros 8-5 victory were highly entertained by a very fast paced contest. There seemed to be only a handful of moments throughout the three periods that had 5 on 5 hockey for an extended period of time as the referees continued to keep the game in check. The open ice, 5 on 4, 4 on 3, and 5 on 3 situations contributed to the game's tempo.
Next on the Manchester Metros agenda? A return to Sheffield next Saturday, the 28th, in search of a National tournament prize to add to their regular season championship and playoff final championship.
Manchester Metros National Schedule:
28/4 @ 1030 Manchester Metros vs. Southampton Spitfires
28/4 @1350 Warwick Panthers vs. Manchester Metros
29/4 @ 1030 Manchester Metros vs. Edinburgh Eagles
29/4 @ 1420 Sheffield Bears vs. Manchester Metros
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