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Chieftains are playoff champions
There was dancing in the aisles at the Riverside on Sunday night when the Chieftains completed a rout of the league champions in a demolition display that left the travelling side shellshocked. Going into the game on the back of an unexpected 4-2 win on the Isle of Wight the night before, it was very much still all to play for as in the words of coach Dean Birrell "The Raiders are league champions for a reason".
The Chieftains came from behind in the first leg after a goal from Robbie Brown early on put the Raiders head, but then 2 goals in 30 seconds from Tom Long and Kyle Jones put the Chieftains ahead before Nathan Taylor and Matt Turner exchanged goals to leave the Chieftains 3-2 ahead on 36:12. Late in the 3rd period and James Ayling made it secure with a 4th for the Chieftains.
Sunday night was a different story as the Chieftains dominated the Raiders all over the ice, limiting them to just 22 shots all game, including just 1 in the final session. An early finish from Danny Hammond after a good buildup play from Ross Brears made it 5-2 on aggregate and the Essex side were in cruise control. Midway through the game and the Raiders tied the game up on the night when Brad Watchorn scored, but then the Chieftains went on the march. Goals from GB international Aaron Connolly and a highlight reel goal from Jones as well as a brace from Ayling put the Chieftains comfortably in control and it was simply a case of counting down the clock for when the celebrations could start.
Departing coach Dean Birrell said "I am delighted that a group of Chelmsford youngsters have come together and developed into the team we have here and have rightly won a prestigious trophy. We've worked hard as a team from when we first got together 3 seasons back and we're not standing here as division 1 playoff champions. 17 of the players are from or around Chelmsford or have been part of the Chelmsford junior set up. Very few senior clubs can claim that sort of development for their young players. It's great that bigger clubs from higher leagues were here over the weekend scouting our players. It shows that we're doing something right when your players are in demand. Right now though, we're going to enjoy our richly deserved triumph and then it's back to business for the National final in 2 weeks time".
The Chieftains will now go on to face the winners of Coventry ENL Blaze and Whitley Warriors who will do battle in the ENL North final next weekend.
PROVISIONAL DATES FOR NATIONAL FINAL:
Saturday 7th May away to either Coventry ENL Blaze or Whitley Warriors
Sunday 8th May home to either Coventry ENL Blaze or Whitley Warriors
Both games subject to confirmation.
Photos - Copyright Ian Snoding.
Playoff champions team - 35 Ben Clements (NM), 29 Andy Brummitt (NM), 4 Danny Cox (D), 8 Matt Turner (F), 10 Alex Green (D), 11 Darren Brown (F), 15 Ross Brears (F), 17 Alex Staples (F), 19 Danny Hammond (F), 22 Aaron Connolly (F), 27 Kyle Jones (F - Import), 28 Danny Wright (F), 61 Blaho Novak (F), 71 Tom Long (F), 77 Nathanael "BT" Williams (F), 84 Rudi Dzurko (D - Import), 91 James Ayling (F)
Head Coach - Dean Birrell.
0-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
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5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
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- Clarke back at Chieftains helm
- Chieftains end their season with playoff title
- Double delight on Saturday
- Chieftains advance to playoff semi-finals
- Chieftains miss out on title but set sights on playoffs
