Barbarians looked to keep there title momentum going on Sunday. The festive break hadn't helped with 2 sessions been cancelled. It was a Monday afternoon between Christmas and New Year that had to do for a session, but a few players had work commitments and the rink was very damp. Barbarians also had positional problems with a number of defensemen unavailable. Lycett and Sanderson filling in at the back.
Barbarians 3 Bottesford 3
Barbarians face off against Bottesford for the second time in 3 matches. First encounter saw the Barbarians drop there first point of the season. History repeating itself as they dropped there second point of the season against the bottom team in the league.
Barbarians didn't seem to get into there usual flow which has been seen of late. The damp rink conditions hampering there new fast flowing transition from defence to offence. Bottesford broke the deadlock after 3 minutes against the run of play. Barbarians struck back half way through the first period with a great solo effort from Oades. Bottesford then regained the lead again 3 minutes later only for Cousins to score a quick fire double just before the break to make it 3-2 Barbarians
Second period was been dominated by the Barbarians but couldn't score the insurance goal to make it 4-2. Mid way through the period Barbarians started taking penalties increasing pressure from Bottesford. The team was playing some great Penalty kill hockey. The clock was running down and it looked like another victory was in the bag, however Bottesford grabbed an undeserved point with 7 second remaining. Final score 3-3.
Barbarians 6 York 2
This was the first meeting between the two teams since the legendary National semi final back in June when the Barbarians came form 2 down to win in the last 2 minutes. The scores have been very close between the teams since the beginning of last season.
First period again saw the opponents score first with a goal at 9.03 in the first period. The Barbarians had been playing some great hockey but hadn't manages to find an opening. This changed with 5 minutes remaining in the first as the combination of Bradley and Cousins combined twice to secure a 2-1 lead at the interval.
Much of the same in the second period. Ancliff grabbed his first goal of the season with a wristed pass from the halfway line that eluded everyone on its way to the bottom corner. A minute later Lloyd finished of a great team goal, with assists coming from Wilson and Hawke. With 11.50 remaining Walker make it 5-1 after Cousins had been ejected from the game for fighting. Wilson made it 6-1 with a great solo effort going bar down. The tie was effectively over and with a 7 minute penalty kill it was time to get defensive. York did get a consolation goal. Making it 6-2 final score.
3 point weekend that keeps the Barbarians top of the league. Great defensive work from Lycett and Sanderson having stepped in for the weekend from forward positions.
Next time out its first vs second when Barbarians take on second place Hull. Since the first meeting between the teams Hull have been on a winning streak of there own closing the gap at the top to 3 points with a game in hand. Second match of the day is against Comets, a team that the Barbarians have struggled against in the past.
