Hot Shots firing up in Iron Jack opener
HOCKEY: The HSR Hot Shots started their Iron Jack Challenge campaign with a bang.
Coming up against last year’s champions, the Hot Shots proved too strong for the SQPS Scorers, prevailing 4-2 on the opening night of action at Clyde Park.
Coach Grant Campbell said his team was able to battle through a lack of match fitness against a strong opponent.
“Being the first game we were a bit rusty, as were the Scorers,” Campbell said.
“We were missing a couple of senior players so it was up to our young fellas to step up and have a bit of a crack.
“We hit the post a few times so the score could’ve been a bit higher.
“But overall I was happy. We created lots of opportunities.
“We put a bit of pressure on ourselves and we weren’t comfortable knowing that they could come back in the final quarter.”
The competition also introduced a new rule for the season, designed to increase scoring and ensure teams remain in the hunt towards the end of games.
For all field goals scored, teams will have the chance to add another goal to their tally.
This comes in the form of a one-on-one shootout, with the goal scorer getting the opportunity to double their score.
This didn’t play into the favour of the Hot Shots, with the side missing all three of their opportunities, and the Scorers converting their only attempt.
Campbell said he is a fan of the concept, however conceded it was an area his team needed to work on.
“I love it. It’s something a bit different for the boys and follows on from the Hockey1 concept,” he said.
“I’m also a fan of the introduction of quarters as opposed to halves.
“It gives coaches a bit more of an opportunity to talk to players after 16 or 17 minutes and change a few things up if they’re not working.”
The challengers put an early rocket to the Scorers, with Josh Bidgood netting a goal in just the third minute of play.
Brad Hobday backed it up at the start of the second quarter, before their two goal advantage disappeared in an instant.
Kane Bradford was able to get the Scorers on the board in the 30th minute, before converting on the shootout attempt to level up proceedings.
This didn’t phase the Hot Shots however, with a pair of goals to Zach Sinton in the third and fourth quarters helping to seal the win.
In the season opener, the GCC Pink Batts were at their dominant best against Stafford’s Strikers, finishing the contest with an 8-0 rout.
It started with a surging first half, with goals to James Lush, William Ready, Brad Messenger and Carter Mogg helping to open up a 4-0 advantage at the main break.
They backed it up in quick succession, with Will Nielsen scoring from the field and converting in the shootout, before Carter Mogg added his second and third goals with a field goal conversion to complete the one-sided performance.
sean.teuma@thechronicle.com.au