2024/2025 Season Review: September

 



 2024/2025 Season

September

The Bees didn't have the best start to the season earning just one point in the first five games, coming from a shootout loss in Peterborough. With two losses against the Wildcats, a regulation loss against the Phantoms and the Milton Keynes Lightning, it was clear the team were not going to have the flying start they achieved the previous season. The last game of the month saw the team travel to Telford who had an even worse start to the season unable to pick up a single point. The Bees were finally able to get a win under their belt but with a depleted line up with just 15 players travelling as long term injury leave was just starting for Hallam Wilson and Josh Smith. This month we also saw the return to the bench of former Bee Dan Weller-Evans as he joined the coaching staff.

13.9.24: Wildcats 6 - 2 Bees

The Wildcats appeared to be an in form team based on their pre-season results and Bees kept them at bay for the first period with some doubt whether the Wildcats first goal went over the line or not. After a debate it was given and the teams went into the period one break tied at 1-1. Wildcats went on to dominate the Bees in the next two periods finishing with a 6-2 win. Both Bees goals were scored by Marcel Balaz. 

14.9.24: Bees 1 - 2 Phantoms

Phantoms opened the scoring with a sniper from the blue line before Vanya Antonov equalised for the Bees bringing the first period to a close tied at 1-1. The second period was scoreless and Phantoms got their go ahead goal 7 minutes into the third and this was how the scoreline remained despite Bees pulling Max Wright for the extra skater. Max recorded a 92.31 save percentage on the night but the team were unable to force the game into overtime or bank the first home win of the season.

21.9.24: Phantoms 4 - 3 Bees (after shootout) 

All eyes were on this game as it was a battle of import goalies. Bees opened up the scoring with Will Stead getting a tip on Stuart Mogg's shot but Phantoms were able to bag two goals to end the first period 2-1 ahead. The second period saw the Bees equalise with the only goal of the 20 minutes being a superb move and shot from Vanya Antonov. There was a goal apiece in the third with Dominik Gabaj scoring on the powerplay to tie the game and secure a point for the Bees. Overtime was scoreless and the lottery of penalty shots went in Phantoms favour. Max Wright recorded a save percentage of 93.18 and Hayden Lavigne 90.91 in the Phantoms net. Max was already proving what an important decision his signing was the team.

22.9.24: Bees 1 - 3 Wildcats 

The first period ended 1-2 with Bees goal coming from Marcel Balaz. Bees believed Dominik Gabaj had scored the equaliser in the second period but that goal was ruled out due to an incident at the other end of the rink. The officials decision was that Adam Rosbottom had high sticked Pakozdi of the Wildcats and was given a 2+2 penalty. In reality Aaron Nell had caught his own teammate with his stick. The look on Adam Rosbottom's face was priceless as he was at least 3 metres away from the incident. The Wildcats scored on the powerplay to make the score 1-3 and this is how the second period ended. More decision making was required by the officials in the third as Malasinski took an early shower (once he actually returned to the dressing room) for a check to the head. Bees were unable to capitalise on the 5 minute penalty and with no goals in the period the Wildcats secured the win.

28.9.24: Bees 3 - 6 Lightning

The Lightning came away 6-3 winners with the Bees goals coming from Liam Morris, Vanya Antonov and Adam Rosbottom. This was always going to be a hard game for the Bees who were short-benched as the majority of the two-way signings were unavailable due to fixture clashes. The officiating was disappointingly poor and, although it may not have directly influenced the final result, it didn't do the Bees any favours. 

29.9.24: Tigers 3 - 6 Bees

Bees, who were short of skaters, knew they needed to take advantage of the Tigers pointless start to the season. The teams were pretty even for the first two periods with the scores tied at 3-3 at the end of the second, Marcel Balaz scoring all three Bees goals. Less than two minutes into the third period Adam Rosbottom scored a shorthanded goal to give the Bees the lead. Further goals from Dominik Gabaj and Marcel Balaz, without reply from the Tigers, saw the Bees win 6-3 and more importantly bank two valuable points.

Coming Up - October 




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