Split weekend for the Barbarians

Barbarians 1                             Khaos 6

The Barbarians skated out mid morning to face local rivals Khaos on an undefeated league run that spanned 392 days.  Team news for the Barbarians saw the return of Paul Lycett from injury.  The teams were evenly matched with chances early on in both ends.  As usual Khaos were seeing plenty of the puck however Barbarians style of play broke down many of their early attacks. 

First goal came from the Khaos after 4 min on the power play with Hawke sat in the box for Slashing.  Next it was the turn of the Khaos to be in the penalty box.  A chance for the Barbarians to draw level.  A shot of the cross bar and a shot to the netminders mask followed but not the elusive goal.  Another penalty call on Khaos gave the Barbarians power play unit a second chance and with it came the goal.  Scored by Clapham assisted by Hawke.

The first period finished 1-1 with both sides having similar shots on target.

The second period was only 16 second old when Khaos scored their second, poor defending costing the Barbarians.  Barbarians pushed hard for the equaliser and again saw the puck hit the post twice and the netminders mask but it was Khoas that hit their third.  Another goal arrived mid way through the period making it 4-1.  More chances were missed by the Barbarians and were punished again with 2 late goals.

Final score 6-1.  Their were positives to take from the game but a poor performance from the usually strong defencive unit coupled with a forward unit struggling with suspensions left the team with 0 points from the encounter.

Barbarians 4                         Bottesford 1

After the disappointment from the early morning defeat to Khaos the team needed a reaction.  Phil Sanderson returned to the line up from suspension. 

The Barbarians again went behind early with a shot that squeezed passed goal tender Cusick.  This lifted the Barbarians and they started to play and were on level terms within 3 minutes goal coming from a rejuvenated forward pairing of Bradley and Clapham.  5 minutes later Clapham's trade mark slap shot hit top corner to make it 2-1.

As usual controversy descended as Sanderson was given 2+2+2+5 for slashing, X checking, slashing and roughing and also ejected from the game.  Absolute bizarre calls from the officials.  This lead to a 11 minute power play to Bottesford.  What ensued over the next 11 minutes was pure brilliance from the Barbarians.  They many not have scored but out shot their opponents and didn't concede.  A great display of how to penalty kill.

The momentum carried from the penalty kill as the Barbarians were comfortable in possession of the puck.  Mid way through the second period Clapham killed the game off to make it 3-1 and also added an insurance to make it 4-1 assisted by Oades and Bradley respectively.

Final score 4-1.  Hat-trick hero Clapham.  Great defencive display and some great stops from goal tender Cusick