Shepherd stars as Bees win first game of 2024
Netminder Brett Shepherd made a winning return to the TSI World Bees roster as he produced a man-of-thematch display in the side’s 5-3 win over Raiders IHC at the Slough Ice Arena on Sunday.
The Bees have had a mixed season and sit mid-table in the advancing Planet Ice National Ice Hockey League, however, their hopes of reaching the end of season play-offs were aided by this, their first victory of 2024 on Sunday. An early infringement from Dan Rose saw him spend two minutes on the sidelines, and the Bees found themselves behind just seconds after his return to the ice when Tijay Anderson fired home on
2.41 with the assists going to Brandon Ayliffe and Ethan James.
Anderson then extended the visitors lead with a second, unassisted, goal at 5.35, however, the Bees finally settled as the game headed towards the end of the first period.
Having seen the Raiders’ numbers reduced by another penalty, Marcel Balaz finally got them on the score board with the hosts’ first goal at 14.09, with player coach Dominik Gabaj and Gianni Vitali creating the goal.
Raiders held on to take a 2-1 lead into the first break, however, the game swung in the early stages of the second period, when Vitali went through on Ethan
James’ goal and slotted home confidently at 20.30, with the assists going to Adam Rosbottom and Rose.
Grasping the momentum, the Bees then made it 3-2 when Rose fired home at 29.13, Harvet Stead and Vitali playing their part in the hosts’ third goal. However, having worked so hard to get in front, the lead didn’t last long with Jake Sylvester equalising for the Raiders 25 seconds later.
At 30:01, Rosbottom managed to edge the Bees back in front with Rose and Vitali assisting him, and the hosts held onto their advantage into the second interval.
The visitors skated out for the final period, eager to bridge the gap between the teams, but in doing so they picked up a penalty for Anderson for interference. That gave the Bees the space they needed to get their fifth of the evening, a powerplay goal from Gabaj on 53.46, with Vitali and Vanya Antonov receiving the assists.