Metros shoot down the Jets
Trafford Metros 3 - 0 Kingston Jets
After beating Champions-elect, Nottingham Lions, last Saturday, the Trafford Metros once again approached a game against Kingston in optimistic mood. This time they were not to be disappointed in the result. The two points gained lifted the team, once more, above Blackburn and with the Hawks travelling to Whitley Bay the following day there was room for hope that the position would be maintained for more than twenty-four hours.
Trafford dominated the territorial possession throughout the game. However, Kingston's dogged defending kept them in contention right to the end until Metros Man of the Match, Tom King, scored into the empty net with just 31 seconds remaining. The game was characterised by outstanding goalkeeping performances from all three keepers: Declan Ryan and Tom MacDonald from the Metros (12 shot shut-outs each) and Tristan Rodgers for the Jets, who saved 57 of the 59 shots rained on him.
The Metros' first period dominance was only reflected in a single marker, scored when Simon Mills slotted home from Jake Nurse's feed in the 12th minute. The reason that the Metros were kept to the single goal may have been that they took three minor penalties from minutes 2 to 14, whilst Kingston took none. Consequently the home team was playing man-down hockey for six out of the sixteen minutes. Despite being short-handed for a third of the period, Trafford still racked up 18 shots to the seven by Kingston.
The Metros had learned their lesson and took no penalties in the second frame, doubling the lead less than three minutes into the session - Nick Alley scoring on a rush having been fed by Jamie Rogerson and Ashton Jenion. Unfortunately, this was to be Nick's last action in the game as, after taking the shot he slid into the boards behind the goal sustaining a sufficiently badly damaged ankle to mean that he took no further part in proceedings. The first penalty in the period, a Slashing penalty to Ben Milhench just past the half-hour mark saw the Metros change their keeper from Declan Ryan to Tom MacDonald. The Jets had produced two or three break-aways in the period, but were still out shot by 29 to 8 in the twenty minutes.
The third period continued as the other two had been played with significant pressure on the Kingston goal. Rodgers held firm and the only goal scored was Tom King's insurance empty net shot with just 31 seconds remaining.
A Metros' official said: "This was very much a must win game for our guys, both for the team's league position as well as their overall confidence. The result didn't reflect the Metros' territorial dominance, but did underline the resistance and effort put in by the Kingston squad. In ten days' time we've got three games in five days; that could be the run which keeps us in the top flight for next season."
Game Stats:
Played: Saturday 13th February
Metros Man of the Match: Tom King
Shots on Goal (shots on Metros first): 24 (Ryan 12; MacDonald 12) - 60 (Rodgers 59, Empty Net 1)
Penalty minutes: Metros 18 Jets 24.
Metros' stats: Jamie Rogerson 0+2, Nick Alley 1+0, Tom King 1+0, Simon Mills 1+0, Ashton Jenion 0+1, Jake Nurse 0+1.
Nets: Declan Ryan (30.16 mins) 12/0 100%; Tom MacDonald (29.44 mins):12/0: 100%.
