Cardiff Dragons 7- 3 Isle of Wight

The under 14s welcomed Isle of Wight to the Cardiff Ice Arena for a promotion shootout to see who would be playing A league hockey next season.

The Dragons started the game at a great pace putting pressure on I.O.W from the start. You could tell from the opening exchanges that the Dragons were up for this one and they got their reward after only 4:05 of the game with a great opening goal from Matthew Thomas assisted by Ellis Price.

Just 9 seconds later the Dragons found themselves 2-0 up with a goal from Ellis Price assisted by Daniel Mann. The Dragons were producing some of their best hockey of the season as I.O.W struggled to make any impact.

The period finished with the Dragons 2-0 ahead and restricting I.O.W to just 2 shots on goal.

The second period started just like the first with the Dragons playing the far better hockey and creating the best chances. It came as no surprise when the Dragons extended their lead with the goal again being scored by Ellis Price.

The Dragons defence was having a great game in breaking down the I.O.W's attacks as I.O.W pushed forward trying to get back into the game.

With just 7 minutes left of the 2nd period the Dragons found the net again with Matthew Thomas grabbing his 2nd goal again assisted by Ellis Price. The Dragons then ran in to some penalty trouble giving I.O.W a 5 on 3 chance which they duly converted to end the scoring for the 2nd period with the Dragons 4-1 up.

The Dragons didn't learn their lesson from the 2nd period as they again gave I.O.W a 5 on 3 power play which again I.O.W converted. You could sense the confidence returning to the I.O.W team who for the 1st time in the game looked like the league leaders they have been all season.

I.O.W continued to attack and pulled the score back to 4-3 at 37:18 to set up a grandstand finish. This really was GAME ON as both teams went for it.

A great defence splitting pass from Josh Galea found Josh Haslem who superbly slotted the puck past the I.O.W netminder to give the Dragons some breathing space again at 5-3.

The Dragons didn't stop there with Josh Haslem grabbing his 2nd assisted by Damon Butler and Joseff Lawrence assisted by Giacomo Raffaelli rounding off a superb 7-3 win for the Dragons which clinched them the league title and a place back in the A league next season.

Spirit of the Game: Ben Parkinson and Giovanni Raffaelli
Man of the Match: Josh Haslam.
Shots on goal: Cardiff 34 - I.O.W 14

Stats:
Matthew Thomas 2+0
Josh Haslam 2+0
Ellis Price 2+2
Josefff Lawrence 1+0
Daniel Mann 0+1
Giacomo Raffaelli 0+1
Josh Galea 0+1
Damon Butler 0+1