Bees record first shut out of the season to keep play-off hopes alive

Bees’ netminder Adam Goss. Photo: Chris Callaghan

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The TSI World Bees recorded their first shut out of the season on Sunday night as they beat the Bristol Pitbulls 5-0 at the Slough Ice Arena.

The previous evening, they were edged out 3-2 on the road by fifth placed Swindon Wildcats, suggesting the Slough-based side are starting to find some form at a crucial stage of the Planet Ice National Ice Hockey League season.

The Bees making a desperate late push to claim one of the league's play-off positions, and they gave those ambitions a massive jolt in the arm with this convincing home win.

Netminder Adam Goss was the hero, repelling everything that came his way on the night to ensure the Bees collected both points. They took the lead 12 minutes into the game when Brendan Walkom powered the puck into the net with Will Stead providing the assist.

Head Coach Dominik Gabaj doubled their advantage two minutes before the end of the period with a powerful slap shot.

The Pitbulls had spells of pressure but failed to breakdown their resilient hosts and inform netminder. Even top scorer, Caly Robertson - who has previously iced for the Bees - couldn't find a way past Goss.

That solid defence enabled the Bees to extend their lead in the 37th minute, with Walkom skating through to score from Gabaj's assist. The Pitbulls managed to hold the swarming Bees at bay for the rest of the period, however, the home side scored twice more before the end of a game that also saw a feisty exchange of words between Alan Lack and the Pitbulls' Reece Kelly following a spot of roughing from Kelly on a Bees player.

The Bees couldn’t take advantage of their powerplay; however, they used their extra man to tire out the visitors' defence. With four minutes to play, and having been under the cosh for a spell, the Pitbills pulled their netminder Will Kerlin in a desperate last attempt to get something from the game. However, it backfired with the Bees scoring two empty net goals through Juha Lindgren and Dan Rose. Harvey Stead claimed both assists and afterwards he donated £50 to the £2,000 raised on the evening for the Young Epilepsy charity. Next Saturday the Bees welcome the Hull Seahawks to the Slough Ice Arena (6.30pm face-off) before making the road trip to Hull the following evening (5.30pm face-off).