Braves are stung by a Sutton win

JUNIOR ICE HOCKEY

WHITLEY Braves’ hopes of lifting the English Under-18 North Division Two title were all but ended when they slipped to a 6-1 defeat to Sutton Sting at Hillheads.

The Braves have now been beaten home and away by the leading two sides Nottingham Leopards and the Sting.

Sutton went ahead after just 24 seconds when Brady Doxey put the visitors ahead.

The Braves could have been level but the next goal went to the visitors when James Shaw doubled the lead at 10.54.

It got worse for the home side as the advantage increased to 3-0 when Doxey netted his second of the match.

Just 61 seconds had gone in the middle period when Sutton went 4-0 up - Shaw with his second of the match.

There were no further goals until the final four minutes.

At 41.01 Doxey completed his hat-trick and Sutton quickly added a sixth counter just 27 seconds later when James Spencer notched.

The Braves changed netminders at 41.53 when Bobby Campbell came on for Wakefield.

Whitley completed the scoring when, nine seconds later, Thomas Fraser netted his side’s lone consolation reply.

Nottingham are the next opponents for the Braves when they travel to Hillheads on February 25 (12.30). ■■ON Sunday Whitley Arrows travel to face Manchester Storm in the English Under-11 North League (4.20 face-off).

Manchester, who head the league table, have won both the sides’ two previous encounters this season.