Ice-hockey: Streatham thrash Thunder 13-0 to sign off this decade’s home matches with a huge victory
Streatham banked four points last weekend as wins over Chelmsford Chieftains and Milton Keynes Thunder kept up the pressure on league leaders Solent Devils.
The RedHawks have lost one of their 19 games this season and again underlined their credentials as title challengers in two contrasting fixtures.
On Saturday night they travelled to Chelmsford to take on a Chieftains side that were one place ahead of them in the league standings.
A hat-trick from Vanya Antonov and lone goals from Adam Carr, Adam Wood and Danny Ingoldsby sealed a 6-3 win in front of a sellout crowd at the Riverside.
Streatham hosted the struggling Milton Keynes Thunder on Sunday and posted a 13-0 win to finish the decade in style at Streatham Arena.
With top scorers Antonov, Carr and Ingoldsby all missing, other players stepped up with Ben Paynter bagging five, Brandon Miles getting two, and Scott Bailey, Ryan Watt, Michael Farn, Conner Smith and Andrew Cook all scoring one each.
“It’s the first time I’ve scored that many in one game,” said Paynter. “It’s not something that happens very often for any player and I’d had a bit of a nightmare morning in the lead up, so my preparation was completely different to usual.
“It seemed to work though, so maybe it’ll become the norm.”
Streatham’s joy was tempered by leaders Solent beating Slough and Cardiff to maintain their gap at the top.
The title race looks to be between Solent, Streatham and Chelmsford, making the result in Essex all the more important.
“Everyone was ready to go before the game and psychologically it was a big boost to go to a title rival and take points from them on their own ice,” said Paynter, 25.
“Not many teams in this league will go there and do that, but now we have to get focused and ready for the final game before the break at Invicta.”
Streatham face Invicta Dynamos on Sunday in Gillingham.