Ice Hockey: Depleted Stars lose thriller

From the archive, first published Tuesday 10th Oct 2000.

Injury-ravaged Oxford City Stars lost out 6-5 in a thrilling English National League game at home to Bracknell Hornets writes Colin Kirby.

Stars went into this match minus eight leading players and a poor first period saw them 3-0 adrift.

But they picked up their game and gave Bracknell a real scare before eventually losing.

Once again, Stars showed their best form in the second period, but with Hornets Canadian netminder Summerfeldt in hot form, they were held at bay.

Michael Bennett hit a fine home opener and Glen West was well positioned in front of goal to add a second. But Abbott hit back and a well-taken Derek Flint strike briefly lifted home hopes before Scott Parsons maintained Hornets' advantage. The third period again saw Oxford playing good creative hockey but luck and the excellent Summerfeldt were against them.

Glenn West beat the Bracknell keeper with a low shot but the visitors replied almost immediately through Parsons.

Stars battled hard with the younger players again impressing but a rare Trevor Joseph goal was not enough as Bracknell held firm.

Coach James Cameron was disappointed but saw some positive signs in the game. He said: "We worked hard and at the end it could have gone either way.

"We hit hard and won all the physical clashes, and if only we can get our full line-up out, we will start to rack up the wins."

Archive Home