Lions do all Wight to triumph in tournament

3:52pm Wednesday 21st May 2008

ICE HOCKEY

LEE Valley Lions travelled to the Isle of Wight to take part in a tournament organised by local club, Vectis Tigers.

Ten teams took the ferry over to Ryde and the Lions were placed in Pool B, which saw them face the local Tigers, as well as Slough Aeros, Solihull Vikings and Isle of Wight Dinos.

Games started as early as 7.30am but although the players may have been bleary-eyed their skating prowess and shooting accuracy were right on target.

Lee Valley didn't lose a single game and emerged as winners of Pool B to face Solihull Barons, the runners-up from Pool A.

Pool A contained a number of teams from the ENL, the league in which the Lions compete during the regular season.

Despite this, the Lions showed fighting spirit from the start and it was clear they were determined to reach the final.

This they did in a fast-paced and highly exciting game that was arguably the best of the tournament.

The final saw Lee Valley meet London University Dragons, a team which contained a number of skilled east Europeans.

The first few minutes were closely fought but it wasn't long before the Lions' supremacy began to overpower their rivals and four goals from Joe Berry meant victory was assured.

The Dragons looked lacklustre and were simply unable to get past Lions' netminder George Alley.

With five minutes left on the clock Lee Valley coach Sergie Smolenko chose to give back-up netminder, Andrew Boot, a chance to finish what Alley had started.

He maintained the shut-out and Lee Valley Lions triumphed as tournament champions, overpowering the Dragons 7-0.

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