Cardiff Fire hosted the much-improved team from the Isle of Wight on Saturday 29th October at Ice Arena Wales for the first time of the 16/17 season.
Wightlink have had their much publicised problems with their rink over the last few months but those problems haven’t made their way onto the ice, the Buccs have been on some streak in the league and Fire knew that this was going to be a tough game, the toughest of the season so far.
The game had more significance as the Buccaneers are now playing all their games on the road for double points.
Fire knew they had to start the game quickly and after just 3mins Ross Wilkinson made a nice play to find Jackson Price who’s shot caused a goal mouth scramble for Jordan Baber to fire home for his first goal of the season. Jackson with his first point in a Fire jersey. Just 6 mins later the impressive youngster Sam Bryant made the score 2 nil to end the first period.
The second period Fire again started brightly with Sammy Bryant scoring for his 2nd goal of the evening with Robbie Sedlak getting his 2nd assist of the night on a Sammy Bryant goal. Fire now 3 nil up and comfortable, some sloppy play crept into the game. Wightlink have proved they are not a team to roll over and scored their first goal of the evening through the impressive Canadian Blair Dubyk. The game flowed back and forth with both teams having their chances but it was Wightlink who were to score, this time through veteran Andrew Robinson. 2nd period ending 3-2 to the Fire.
In the 3rd period Fire tidied up some of the defensive mistakes and kept things simple with a posesstion game. Limiting Wightlink’s opportunities to just 5 shots. Game ended 3-2 with 4 points going to the Fire and them sitting comfortably top of the cup group.
Fire need just one point to secure the group with 2 games left to play. This year the cup finals weekend will be held at Ice Arena Wales on the 8th and 9th of April.
Sam Bryant 2+0
Robert Sedlak 0+2
Ross Wilkinson 0+2
Jordan Baber 1+0
Jackson Price 0+1
MOM Sam Bryant
