Stars pounce on hounds and continue pre-playoff run

Final Score - Haringey 4 : Oxford 8

Sunday 2nd March 2009

Stars started there run towards the playoffs in fine form as they beat Haringey Greyhounds 8-4 in North London. Stars have struggled against the Hounds so far this season winning by the odd couple of goals twice and drawing once so this result was a real boost.

Having already confirmed 3rd place and a playoff spot Stars opted to give some well deserved ice time to back up netminder Kevin McGurk who did not let anyone down in fact making some very good saves during the game.

The newly formed ‘veteran’ line of Coach Hargreaves, Bailey and Armour went close a number of times in their first shift but were unable to score and it was against the run of play when Hounds drew first blood after a scramble in front lead to a rebound and deflected shot going in at 4:46.

Oxford struck within 2mins as a returning Andy Cox, who put in one of his best performances of the season playing as a forward, hussled well and picked up a pass from Shurmer before taking a superb shot which gave keeper Wride no chance. Oxford then opened up a two goal lead firstly through Joe Edwards assisted by young Adam Harris who continues to impress in each game, followed by player coach Hargreaves scoring on the powerplay assisted again by Shurmer and Francis. Haringey managed to bring themselves back to within one goal at 18:01 also on the powerplay as Stars ran into penalty trouble late in the period.

The period ended 3-2 in favour of the Stars but with Armour and Skaife sitting penalties. The break and 5 on 3 powerplay obviously helped the home team as 39 seconds in they scored to tie the game 3-3. However, that veteran line used their experience to score what was to be the game winner as they produced some fine tic-tac-toe passing, Bailey behind the net to Hargreaves who fired a pass to the back door for Armour to happily steer it past the Hounds keeper. Hargreaves was on target again at 33:31 this time assisted by Bailey and Wojciak to complete the 2nd period scoring.

At this point the game was over, Haringey unable to get back in the game. The 3rd period saw Stars put in a clinical defensive performance allowing only 4 shots on McGurk while Man of the Match Shurmer sniped a wicked top corner on the powerplay before Nick Eden finished the scoring off to make it 8-4 by jabbing the goalward puck home off the line after Armour and Bailey did the hard work down low. Grant ‘Ace’ Bailey completed the game with his best points haul in a game for a long time with 1 goal and 3 assists.

Stars know they have the 3rd spot sewn up and are now preparing themselves for Invicta and MK at home before the crucial playoff games against 2nd placed Bracknell Hornets. Stars will also be sporting brand new limited edition playoff Jerseys bearing the logos of all sponsors and associates. The bright green shirt will be worn for both playoff games home/away versus Bracknell and also at Coventry if they get past the Hornets.