Ice-hockey: Streatham start 2024 with 10-1 demolition of Oxford City Stars

Streatham started 2024 with a statement of intent ahead of the championship run in with a 10-1 win over Oxford City Stars on the High Road Sunday.

It took the RedHawks just four minutes to open the scoring, after a series of fantastic saves by Stars netminder Ross Miller.

A penalty shot was called as a clear scoring chance was impeded in front of the net. Returning team captain Ryan Watt stepped up to bury the oppourtunity.

A minute later and net front chaos saw Streatham make it 2-0 as Brandon Miles and Ben Ealey-Newman provided the set up for Josh Ealey-Newman to apply the finish.

On 24 minutes JJ Pitchley continued his recent scoring streak after collecting a rebound off a chance by Tomasz Skokan, Ben Paynter collected the other assist as the score became 3-0.

Paynter then snared another assist alongside Josh Ealey-Newman as Jared Lane redirected a puck in front of net to make it 4-0.

More Streatham pressure followed and Ziggy Beesley sniped one in from the slot with help from Callum Burnett and Josh Martin.

Homegrown talent Ethan Lane fired in his first goal on home ice, after Pitchley and Paynter had provided the set up.

Watt added his second and then Streatham netted three goals in quick succession.

Beesley scored on the powerplay after 45 minutes, quickly followed by Josh Martin, with help from Preston Tombs and Harvey Briggs.

Tombs scored the final goal of the game for Streatham with a blast from the point unassisted.

Oxford could take consolation in the fact that with three minutes left on the clock at 57 minutes they broke Danny Milton’s shutout. Danny Williams and Theo Bundock would set up Aaron Moody to wrap up the scoring on the night.

Captain Watt was pleased to have contributed two goals: “Oxford had a close game last night and lost and were short benched. I don’t know if maybe that took a bit out of them.

“We started well but died off towards the end but came out flying in the second and put the game to bed by end of the second.

“Watching your own team play without you is one of the hardest things you can do because you want to be helping, and I’ve tried to be around the team as much as possible to help. But the surgery was a success so hopefully now I’m back and flying”

Head coach Ben Paynter was pleased with the team’s performance after the festive break.

“It was a weird game,” he said. “I expected a slower pace after three weeks off. But we didn’t look like we’d missed a week. So, I was pleased how we bounced back, and the boys bought in, pushed through the heavy legs after some time off to play a good game.”

Paynter was pleased with the return of Watt.

Players like Watty, he’s at a level that’s unmatched at this level,” said Paynter. “His hockey IQ and skill is second to none. He’ll take a little time to get his legs back but when you have the skills and IQ he has the points will follow him. And he had a great first game back and we’re pleased to get him back.”

Despite the big win, Paynter was cautious heading into a big double header weekend against rivals Invicta.

“This league is a funny league and we played well tonight but next weekend will be a different kettle of fish,” he said.

“Invicta are a good team when they show up, but we’ll take it game by game period by period to try and get the results.”

Streatham are next in action at the High Road in Britton Cup action as they face Invicta Dynamos, facing off at 5.30pm.

PICTURES: MEL O’BRIEN/FUSIONAL