SHEFFIELD-- The Manchester Metros Div 1 squad completed its campaign for the Cup regular season title. Heading into the game, the Metros needed to not only just win, but maintain their goal differential. Why? Because 240 miles north of Ice Sheffield, Edinburgh was facing off against a struggling Newcastle team. Both teams [Edinburgh, Manchester] were knotted in all categories except goals for, where Manchester had the advantage.
The previous meeting of Manchester-Sheffield back in December was one to forget. A 6-6 draw at Deeside that left a bitter taste in the mouths of Metros players-- motivation for the tail end of the season. Manchester-Sheffield was a test of the highest scoring offenses in BUIHA Division 1 North.
The first period saw several penalties for the Metros in quick succession and at one point the Metros had more players in the box than they did on the bench. But the Metros defense fought valiantly for what seemed like a never-ending 5 on 3. The team only conceded the one power play goal to Sheffield.
But the Sheffield lead was short lived as Max Drakeley scored two short handed goals in machismo fashion to give the Metros a 2-1 lead. Though his heroics and his night ended after drawing blood on a clean open ice hit.
He was joined in the locker room by Gino who was tossed after picking up two misconduct penalties. This resulted in the loss of two core defenders.
As play moved to the 2nd period, the game started to flow a bit more. The penalties still came in spurts, but the came more evenly. Manchester forward, Joe Greaves, found himself in a position to add to the intense and long lived rivalry. With the loss of Joe, the lines were reshuffled and reshuffled again.
By the 3rd period, all systems were go on offense and defense. The Joe-Allen-Langlois line continued their performance by getting a goal thru brilliant puck work to extend the lead to 3-2. A final tally made it 4-2.
As the clock wound down, the Metros could not only sense victory, but a Cup title within their grasp.
The goals were great, but they were acceptably overshadowed by the brilliant goal-tending of Metros keeper, Robyn Maby, who saved everything that came her way-- in particular a glove save on a one timer where she moved quickly her right to her left that left the crowd in awe. Her stellar play in net earned her (Wo)man of the match and rightfully so.
When the final buzzer came, Manchester were not only victorious, but a surprise was in store. 240 miles in Scotland, Edinburgh was held to a 4-2 victory as well, leaving no change in the standings, but giving the Metros the regular season title on goals for. The long journey had finally culminated into an everlasting memory.
The locker room: buzzing-- full of hugs and cheers and photographs commemorating the moment.
Up next for the Metros, a trip to the Czech Republic to face UTB Hockey Team on Wednesday night (March 7th). Following that the team will prepare to face the winner of Division 1 South in a winner take all playoffs heading into Nationals at the end of April.
Stay tuned for gamesheet and photos.
