Blues go down in thriller
The first game this term for the Blues was nothing short of heart stopping entertainment.
The annual game between the Oxford City Stars and the Oxford Blues is always a feisty affair, and this year was certainly no exception.
The first period alone had both teams combining for ten goals. Five of these goals were scored during power plays when each team had men in the penalty box.
Oxford had trouble containing the major threat of the Stars' Derek Funt, who scored a hat trick within fifteen minutes.
However, this was still not enough to overpower the Blues, who had five different members combine for six goals including a brace by Daniel Colegate of Wadham.
The Blues first line had an excellent opening period with Stephan Wagner and Jason Nadeau having four points apiece, helping the Blues take a 6-4 advantage into the locker room after the opening twenty minutes.
Things would sadly start to swing the other way during the second period though. A goalie change by the Stars would prove vital as the Blues kept up the pressure, with shots raining in.
The Stars, led by Ben Lay, would take the period five goals to two, despite the Blues captain Daniel Farewell completing his own hat trick. This gave the Stars a one goal advantage, 9-8 going into the final intermission.
Coming into the third period with the Town-Gown Cup at stake the intensity and tempo of the game was lifted by the Blues.
The hard hits and speed of the game slowly began to take their toll on both sides, as a defensive battle ensued that contrasted with the first two high scoring periods.
Unfortunately, it was only the Stars who drew blood in the final stages, adding another two goals to their tally and stealing victory 11-8.
Although this was a disappointing loss, the Blues have three more games to build on leading up to the Varsity match against Cambridge on Sunday March 10.
There were undoubtedly signs to give the team confidence both in this game and the tour to Canada in pre-season.
We have so far demonstrated impressive scoring power, though we will be looking to noticeably reduce the defensive lapses that allowed the Stars to reach double figures.
14th Feb 2002