The Dundalk Ice Dome was blessed with two very competitive and exciting games in the run up to the IIHL’s playoffs. This time between the Hawks and the Flyers.
In the opening period, which was contested equally, it was the Hawks that opened the scoring with only two minutes played. Viktors Serdjukovs scored and it looked like the Hawks were going to run riot over the Flyers.
Then the Flyers found their skating legs led by Dean Kelly. They got back into the game at 14.31 scored by Szabi Sandor to tie the contest up followed Emil Kalir goal to give the Flyers the lead for the first time at 18.03 and a great game was just coming to the boil.
In the second period the scoring exploded with first the flyers extending there led to 3-1 through Barry Higgins and a fourth goal, which the officials quashed. The Hawks caught fire after the 32.30 mark scoring four goals in three and a half minute spell.
The first of which was from Viktors Serdjukovs, followed by Aigars Brencis, Gints Ginters and the final Hawks score, on then power play, from Gaidis Darzins to make the period end on the score line 5-4 Latvia after Emil Kalir pegged one back for the Flyers.
In the final period David Donaldson put the Flyers level at five each then Dean Kelly scored the winner on 51.57 to a huge applaud from the Flyers fans. A great game with the Flyers just edging it on merit through their team effort and determined dedication to skate out victors at 6-5.
It’s a pity in these well contested games didn’t happen at the start of the season to build on the growing body of spectators that are starting to enjoy very exciting hockey game. Long may it continue?