Don McDermott reports as Raiders set their sights on the Stars
Marek Nahlik’s three goals proved the difference for the London Raiders on Saturday as they outclassed the Oxford City Stars, 7-4, at the Lee Valley Ice Centre. Mason Jon Webster contributed four assists whilst Michal Oravec also continued his goal scoring form, finding the back of the net twice.
The win moves the Raiders to within two points of fifth-place Oxford, and they are now eight points clear of ninth-place Bracknell Hornets. In the NIHL Division One South, the top eight teams advance to the playoffs.
Oxford were the first on the scoreboard after London’s Rob Jenner was given a two-minute penalty for interference. Benjamin William Ealey-Newman scored a power play goal in the 19th minute.
The Raiders answered immediately with two goals in quick succession from Oravec and defenceman Liam Chong, giving the home side the edge at the end of the first period.
23 minutes in and London snatched a third goal again courtesy of Oravec who was assisted by captain Tom Davis.
Oxford captain Darren Elliott pulled one back for his club midway through the period on another power play.
The game remained 3-2 until early in the third period when London scored three goals in just over a minute.
Anxious period
Nahlik scored the first in the offensive onslaught before a delay of game penalty against the visitors allowed Davis to finish off a devastating power play which increased London’s lead to 5-2.
Nahlik then scored his second to put the Raiders in an excellent position, with a lead of four goals. With just one quarter left to play, Oxford were forced to make a netminder change. Connor George Ranby replaced Shannon Long.
Oxford began to muster a comeback late in the final period but it was too little too late. Andrew Cox scored their first even-strength goal and Ealey-Newman backed it up with a second to pull his side back to within two.
Oxford were persistent in their efforts to level the scores. They pulled their goalie in the final minutes to give themselves a man advantage but were punished for their ambitious tactical switch.
With 26 seconds remaining, Nahlik buried the puck in the empty net for his hat trick and the Raiders were 7-4 winners. Raiders goalie Michael Gray was excellent yet again, facing 49 shots and saving 45 of them.
London take to the road on Sunday to play Streatham Redskins in the NIHL South East Cup with puck drop at 6:45.