Stars end regular season on a high

Final Score - Oxford 4 : Milton Keynes 2

Sunday 15 March 2009

Oxford Stars completed their league season games with a hard fought 4-2 win over MK Thunder. Stars now only have two games against 2nd placed Bracknell Hornets in the way of a playoff final spot in Coventry.

Although this was to have no bearing on league positions with Oxford already confirmed 3rd and MK resigned to a relegation playoff battle it started brightly and at a good pace. Number 1 netminder James Skaife was given the weekend off and Kev McGurk started this game backed up by Tom Devey. McGurk once again played well eventually turning away all but 2 of 35 shots on goal, at times keeping the lacklustre Stars in the game for the first 20 mins. Although Stars were not really playing well and took some stupid penalties which they had to kill off, the first period ended goal less but with Stars outshooting MK 13-11.

The 2nd period started with a bang and MK were first on the board as Stars found themselves running around in their own end and unable to clear the puck. This seemed to fire the veteran line into action as Alan Armour tied the game with a wicked snap shot at 26:02 after some nimble play by Coach Hargreaves. Armour then doubled his tally to take the lead at 33:43 scoring from an almost impossible angle after Bailey and Hargreaves again worked the puck through. A lack of concentration cost Stars the lead though as import Simmo broke through alone and scored with 39 seconds left in the period to tie the game 2-2. In a fairly free flowing period, both teams had plenty of chances to score and at times it was end to end, the period shot count was 19-17 in favour of the Stars.

The final period had it all to play for and with Stars Coach Hargreaves and MK Clifford both sitting 10 min misconducts following an altercation outside the dressing room at the end of the last period, Stars needed to shuffle the lines. Armour, Bailey and Francis all had opportunities to score in the first 10 mins, but the game winner was scored by Francis at 50:58 as he bumbled home after whacking at a rebound from Mike Hargreaves. This put an end to small goal drought for Francis and he was clearly very happy to have put it in. Stars sealed the victory at 58:21 as Ace Bailey jabbed the puck home after Armour had come close for his hat-trick with a wrap around. MK netminder Woolfe thought he had this one, but Bailey was too quick for him and the goal was given. The 3rd period 19-7 shot count tells a story with Stars eventually deciding to play some good hockey for their fans, it is effort and team play like the final 10 mins which will be needed for 120mins against Bracknell.

Oxford now have a weekend off before heading into the first all important playoff match versus the Hornets. Stars will be keen to put together their best performances for these games and hopefully make the end of season playoff finals.