Report

Cardiff entered this year’s Tier III national championships with high hopes of regaining the title they won 2 years ago, even though only 2 of those players still remain on the team. They got off to a perfect start beating the Edinburgh Beagle’s 2-0. The Redhawks continued their form in beating their next opponents 6-0. Next up was Manchester, ranked 2nd in the power rankings, Manchester took the lead, but Cardiff made a spirited fight-back winning the game by 2 goals to 1. Newcastle White were the next to try to knock the Cardiff train off the rails, but another impressive performance from the Redhawks saw them win 8-0. Cardiff went into the final group game having already secured a semi-final spot, but against the reigning champions Nottingham C who had beaten them in the league Cardiff had a point to prove and a win would see the defending champions out of the competition and allow the Edinburgh Beagle’s a spot in the semis. A very closely fought game decided by just one goal, that coming from the stick of Jiri Podval after a pin-point pass from Fraser Lewis.

So Cardiff went into the semi-finals with a perfect record, but the pre-championship and home favourites the Sheffield Bears awaited them. Cardiff took the lead through a goal from Jim ‘Frodo’ Towers, but Sheffield equalised through a deflected shot, which found it’s way into the back of the net. With the scores level at the final hooter it was down to sudden death penalty shots. Neither team scored with their first two shots, then Chris ‘Pintsized’ Kirkham stepped up and scored top glove side meaning if Tom Martin stopped Sheffield’s attempt Cardiff would be through to the final. Tom stood tall and stopped the shot to send Cardiff through to the final.

The Warwick Panthers awaited the Redhawks in the final, a replay of the 3rd/4th play-off from the previous year. Cardiff were up against it only having an ice-cut to rest their bodies and nerves after their semi-final win. Cardiff took the lead after about 6 minutes after a brilliant effort from Jon Griffiths seeing him skate almost the whole length of the ice to score, but Warwick weren’t giving up and replied with 2 quick goals to lead 2-1. The Redhawks equalised through Jim Towers with about 5 minutes left only for Warwick to take the lead once more 2 of their players ending up in the back of the net along with the puck. With time running out and Warwick with a 3-2 lead the Panthers continued to press the Cardiff goal, then Jim Towers broke out with the puck, found the stick of Matt Wood, who battled through 2 defenders and slotted the puck past the Warwick keeper. 5 seconds left in the game and the scores tied at 3-3. So to another round of penalty shots, much like the first shoot-out both teams missed their first 2 shots. Warwick’s 3rd shot was stopped by Tom Martin, meaning if Jon Griffiths scored Cardiff would be champions. He took the puck wide to the left then cut towards the goal, deeked around the goalie and calmly slotted the puck into the back of the net sparking off celebrations from the Redhawks.

Last year when the Redhawks had come 3rd in the same competition Fraser Lewis had come away from the tournament saying ‘we’ve lent Nottingham C our trophy for a year’ and thanks to a fantastic team effort he wasn’t wrong!!!!