Ice-hockey: Defending champions Streatham knocked out of Britton Cup

Streatham’s hopes of a grand slam season ended on Sunday night as the Chelmsford Chieftains knocked the defending champions out of the Britton Cup in the semi-finals, writes Chris Beal.

Streatham looked favourites to progress after a 6-1 first leg win the day before in Chelmsford. Damon Porter, Ethan Lane, Aidan Doughty, Ben Paynter and Ziggy Beesley (twice) netted for the RedHawks.

Grant Bartlett’s lone goal for the Chieftains ended up being a difference maker on aggregate.

Beesley had a chance come ringing back off the post in the second period on Sunday before Streatham ended up in penalty trouble with Hallden Barnes-Garner.

Grant Bartlett and his brother Cameron combined with 31:50 on the clock to make it 2-0 on the night.

At 50:28 the game was turned in the Chieftains’ favour as JJ Pitchley was ejected for obscene gestures following an interference call. While Streatham would kill the penalty, the powerplay put the momentum in the Chieftains favour and they made it 6-4 on aggregate.

Mike Power added a fifth. Streatham needed to just hang on for the final four minutes.

With one minute remaining Chieftain’s coach Lewis Clifford pulled netminder Jordan Lawday for the extra attacker. It paid off as Cameron Bartlett scored the equaliser on aggregate to send the game to overtime.

George Norcliffe and Beesley had chances for Streatham but Grant Bartlett scored the winner to book Chieftains a final encounter against Solent Devils.

Streatham coach Ben Paynter said: “We played a quality game on Saturday and put ourselves in a great position, it was a shame that we threw it away. We must learn from this and learn to manage these big moments.”

Streatham switch back into league action at Romford tomorrow before welcoming Chelmsford back to the High Road on Sunday at 6.45pm.