Flyers IHC vs. Northern Ireland Prowlers (3-6)

In what promised to be a thrilling game,  the return match between the Flyers and Northern Ireland Prowlers lived up to the hype. Dundalk Ice Dome provided the setting for this match the 100 or so fans who attended were treated to an exhilarating game.

It was the Flyers who scored first with a goal from Daciw on an assist by Kelly that put the team in the lead at 1:20 in the first. The Prowlers responded with a  goal at 4:08 with a fine shot by Knarney. A goal a piece from each team followed on the eight minute with Kelly for the Flyers and Glover for the Prowlers scoring respectively. In what looked like the first period ending with 2 a piece Glover scored again for the Prowlers sneaking one past Pepper in nets for the Flyers.

The second period saw the Flyers come back out in fighting spirit. Again they struck early with a brilliant shot from the blue line by Daciw that deflected off Dickson in nets for the Prowlers only for Kelly to pounce on it and score in the first minute of the second period. However some excellent defensive work by McEvoy and McDonagh for the Flyers could not stop the Prowlers from scoring again just before the seventh minute with an exceptional shot by Ewen assisted by McMaster. The prowlers followed up with two further goals in the ninth minute from Diver and Cuskuran in the eleventh minute leaving the flyers trailing 3 to 6 at the end of the second period.

The Flyers once again came out fighting in the third period and whilst they took control of the game with an onslaught of shots by Cooper, Darcy, Daciw and Kelly on the Prowlers net they could not score. Even with the added bonus of some power plays in the last period the Prowlers won the game 3 – 6.

The game itself had some promising moments for the Flyers. Darcy took the captains armband whilst Fitzgerald was on study leave and deservedly won Man of the Match for the Flyers. McMaster for the Prowlers proved a handful for the Flyers through out the whole game and justifiably won Man of the Match for the Prowlers. The Flyers can go away with pride having lost the return leg of this friendly but knowing that they are getting stronger as each game goes on.

The Flyers would like to thank the Prowlers for a great game and a special word of thanks to Vitas, Peter, Andrew for acting as officials. Our thanks also go the staff and management of the Dundalk Ice Dome in assisting with this game.