Last Updated
We train on a Sunday night at 10.15pm until 11.15pm. We are a low level division one team. If you want to give it a go then please email the Head Coach galathwell@yahoo.co.uk or post a message on the forum and the Head Coach will get in touch with you.
Overheard At Training
"Are you mad? I will never leave this team."
Upcoming Fixtures
NEXT GAME
2012/2013 Season
Season now ended until october
Latest News
Last game of the season against Billingham
13th May, 2012
This was Thunder’s final league match of the season. Victory against a Billingham team that had beaten us 9-0 earlier in the season was unlikely, but there was a determination to show a marked improvement over that game and build on all the positives that had come out of the last 5 or 6 games. Thunder struggled to clear their own zone against a team who skated better and passed and controlled the puck well and trailed 3-0 after the first period. However, the ladies dug in and restricted Billingham to just a single goal in the second period. Billingham continued to dominate territory and possession, but Thunder began to look increasingly dangerous on the break and, despite conceding two goals in the third period they were able to light up the scoreboard with an excellent finish by Cat Fell from a breakaway. The shot-count was 71 shots on the Thunder net and 15 on Billingham. Spirit of the game went to netminder, Bea Fletcher. So, that brings the curtain down on the season for Thunder. It was a slow start as we had 5 skaters playing their first season of ice hockey. The lateness of the fixtures finally being announced meant that we had to play two matches as challenge games due to players having other commitments (huge thanks to those that made long trips to play hard matches so we wouldn’t forfeit any points). However, once we started playing settled lines and new players picked up valuable match experience, then the performances and results picked up and Thunder can look forward to a stronger season next year.
Last away game of the season @ Telford
6th May, 2012
Thunder's final away game of the season ended in a narrow defeat but showed more signs of the continuous improvement the team is making. The opening game of the season had seen Telford beat Thunder 8-0, so this result represented a significant improvement. Telford took the lead mid way through the first period only for Thunder to equalise against the run of play. Telford restored their advantage just before the end of the period that saw them put 28 shots on the Blackburn net. The second period was scoreless, but two quick goals early in the third provided Telford with a lead that Thunder could not make inroads on until the final second of the game. With 7 seconds on the clock Thunder pulled Bea to give them an extra skater and scored with the very last touch of the game. The Thunder goals were scored by Cat Fell and Amanda Williams and the shots were 61 on Blackburn and 24 on Telford. Spirit of the game went to Cat Fell. The game was played in a thoroughly sporting manner and it seemed that both teams enjoyed themselves.Thunder were wearing their usual red away shirts but the ancient lighting at Telford makes them look orange!
Second game in the double header @ nottingham
1st May, 2012
Just 24 hours after their energy-sapping game against Whitley Bay, Thunder travelled to Nottingham for what looked to be a closely matched encounter. While the final shot count of 38 shots on Bea to 12 on the Nottingham net may look one-sided, it does not tell the tale of how close this game was. Most of the play was in the Thunder half of the ice, but Thunder carried a constant threat on the breakaway. Thunder looked to have taken the lead in the second period but the officials ruled that the puck had crossed the line just after they had blown the whistle to stop the play. The game stood at 0-0 after two periods and it began to look like neither side would be able to fashion a goal. However, with about 6 minutes remaining, Nottingham went ahead by a goal that took two deflections before crossing the line. Thunder tried to battle their way back into the game, but couldn’t take advantage of a powerplay in the final 2 minutes and the game finished 1-0 to Nottingham. Thunder spirit of the game went to Nicola Crompton.
Home to top of the league Whitley
29th April, 2012
With the visit of table-topping and unbeaten Whitley Bay, Thunder were under no illusions of the job ahead of them and saw this match as an exercise in damage limitation. A gritty first period performance saw the sides tied at 1-1 with Billie Elliot scoring from a semi-sitting position! Thunder then took the lead, but this proved to be short lived as Whitley Bay quickly equalised and moved into a 3-2 lead. Thunder stayed in the game well and went into the final period only trailing 4-2. A combination of tiring Thunder legs and Whitley Bay cutting their lines saw the away team score 4 unanswered goals to run out 8-2 winners. Thunder battled well throughout a keenly contested game that was slightly marred by some unnecessary goings on in the final period. Thunder only managed 8 shots in the game, but defended staunchly even though the puck seemed to be in the Thunder defensive zone for the entirety of the final period. Spirit of the game went to Liz Aspinall.
Home to Coventry
17th April, 2012
Eleven months after their last victory, Thunder finally got the result they had been threatening to get from the last three or four games. Despite being outshot 47-21, Thunder showed great determination and discipline to take their first win of the season. The previous problems of sticking the puck in the net seemed to have been left behind as Cat Fell scored with a long distance shot and from following in her own rebound. Amanda Williams also scored with a fine finish after skating between the Coventry defenders. It appears that playing in settled lines is having a positive effect on the team even if the passing in this match wasn’t always at its crispest. This was a strong defensive performance and Coventry were mostly limited to shooting from range. On the few occasions they did break through the defence, Bea Fletcher was able to save at close range. Special mentions go to Beth Wright for her first penalty in ice hockey that was quickly followed by her second and to Jakki Duncan for her first goal in a Thunder shirt – unfortunately her brave block only succeeded in looping the puck into the Thunder net! As ever against Coventry, this was a very even match with Thunder’s ability to convert their chances being the differentiator. Spirit of the game went to Penny Fletcher.