The Lee Valley Lions scored a late rush of goals to rally from a three-goal deficit against the Slough Jets on Sunday night at the Lee Valley Ice Centre, as Don McDermott reports…
Lions captain Nicholas Alley scored twice and picked up a trio of assists, whilst Chris Fox scored the game-winning short-handed goal.
The Lions scored first courtesy of Ben Duffy just minutes into the match, but the Jets Timo Lindgren drew his side level five minutes later.
Fox scored his first goal to move the Lions back into the lead in the 15th minute. The East London outfit finished the first period on top, with the score 2-1.
Slough took control of the game in the second period with their captain Rob Johnston scoring the equalizer in the 27th minute before Daniel Luplau also found the back of the net.
Things got worse for the Lions as they gave up a short-handed goal on a powerplay in the 35th minute, giving the visitors a two-goal lead.
Slough continued to find ways to score in the third period as Lindgren scored again after just 37 seconds.
Lions fight back
The home side were desperate for a goal and Alley took charge, scoring to cut the Jets lead to just two in the 44th minute.
Lindgren responded immediately for Slough, earning his hat trick within 30 seconds of Alley’s goal to restore Slough’s lead to three goals.
But the Lions were not at all daunted by the setback and scored a trio of goals in under three minutes to draw level.
Alternate captain Robin Young netted an unassisted goal seconds after Lindgren finished off his hat trick, and then Matthew Eggen pulled Lee Valley to within a goal.
Slough called timeout, but the break did them no good as shortly afterwards Johnston was sent to the penalty box for elbowing. Alley scored 11 seconds into the power play to level the scores.
With 10 minutes still remaining, the Lions’ James Gosling was penalized for delaying the match and Slough were given a power play.
But Lee Valley could not be stopped as Fox completed the shocking rally, scoring a short-handed goal.
The Lions clung on to their 7-6 lead until the buzzer sounded to end the match.
Lee Valley move up to fourth in the NIHL South Division 2 (East), but still trail league leaders Chelmsford Warriors by 10 points.
The Lions now have a break for Christmas and their next match will be against the London Haringey Racers at the Lee Valley Ice Centre on 3 January.