Streatham head into NIHL play-offs this weekend after 4-0 win over Solent Devils

Streatham face a home NIHL South play-off quarter-final against MK Thunder on Sunday (6.45pm), writes Christopher Beal.

The South Londoners wrapped up their league campaign on Sunday evening with a 4-0 win on home ice over the Solent Devils.

Streatham opened the scoring three minutes into the first period as Luke Brittle batted the puck out of the air after Ryan Watt and Ziggy Beesley had seen chances saved by Solent goalie Aaron Taylor.

The rest of the period was a goal-tending duel between Taylor and Streatham netminder Danny Milton as both traded saves.

While Streatham had the Devils’ offence in a chokehold through the first period in the second a series of powerplays saw them get back into the game.

But still Milton and Taylor would not allow anything past them.

The Devils’ resistance collapsed in the third period as first a power play opportunity for Streatham saw Watt convert with a blast from the blue line at 41 minutes to make it 2-0.

Streatham head coach Ben Paynter added a third just minutes later with a wrist shot attempt from the blue line. Jared Lane and Sam Waller collecting the assists.

A minute later RedHawks made it 4-0. After Luke Brittle and Watt had placed the puck on Ziggy Beesley’s stick he skated the puck around a prone Taylor to seal the two points for Streatham.

Afterwards Streatham were officially presented with their winners medals and trophies for the league championship and the recent Britton Challenge Cup win.

Watt said: “Going into a trophy celebration we had to win as lifting a trophy after a loss is no fun. It was a close game until the third and then we took over and I feel it was a fairly comfortable win. Our powerplay capitalised and Danny Milton was solid for us on the back end. We knew if we kept pressing, we’d get some goals. “

Paynter added: “We wanted to build momentum heading into the play-offs and make sure we’re sticking to good habits and our systems.

“We want to play to win as there was pride at stake, and us and Solent don’t like each other. So, to get a 4-0 win over them heading into the play-offs, I’m over the moon. We spent last week working on the forecheck and being solid defensively. I’m pleased to see everyone buying in, as when it comes to these big games defence plays a massive part.

“I want to make sure we’re solid defensively as the offence will take care of itself.

“We were all over them from start to finish and they didn’t have anything. I knew we’d wear them down eventually and we’d get some better opportunities.

“We stuck with it, we tweaked a few things and we were rewarded with three goals to wrap up the game.”

PICTURES: MEL O’BRIEN/FUSIONAL