Streatham Redhawks inflict first defeat on the Slough Jets

Photo credit: Slough Jets

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The Slough Jets were angered by a contentious offside call as they lost for the first time this season in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to the Streatham Redhawks at the Slough Ice Arena.

On an evening dedicated to armed service personnel in the build up to Armistice Day, the Jets staged an impeccably observed two-minute silence prior to the sides taking to the ice.

The Jets have overcome most hurdles so far this season, but they struggled to reach their usual levels against the Redhawks.

Neither side was able to get on the scoresheet in a tight, tense first period, but the league leaders did manage to strike first in the second through Brandon Miles at 23.29 – after the Redhawks left themselves shorthanded through a penalty early in the period.

Lewis English then scored again for the Jets at 35.59, giving the hosts some breathing space, but they weren’t quite able to shake off the Redhawks’ challenge.

Ryan Watt grabbed a goal back for the visitors at 38.13 and the home side’s hopes of victory unravelled from there. JJ Pitchley fired home their second on a powerplay to make it 2-2 and the Jets bench and players were left incensed when the visitors’ third goal, scored by Lane at 50.51, was allowed to stand. They felt there should have been an offside call made in the build-up, but the Redhawks’ third goal stood, and the Jets were forced to accept their first loss of an incredibly consistent campaign so far.

Speaking after the game Jets Head Coach Lukas Smital said: “I can’t fault the effort of the team; I thought we were strong in all disciplines.

“There were some things that frustrated me on the night, but we still are top of the league with a 90 per cent win record and we’ll look to re-group this week ahead of away fixtures against Cardiff and Chelmsford.”

He added; “I’d like to thank our amazing supporters for turning out in massive numbers last weekend. We look forward to our return to home ice on November 16.”

The Slough Jets visit Cardiff on Saturday (November 9) and Chelmsford on Sunday (November 10) before returning to the Slough Ice Arena to face off against the Swindon Wildcats on November 16.