Chelmsford came into this game on the back of some encouraging home performances, and whilst the Blues were still searching for their first league win, they recently won their fourth successive Varsity match.
Both teams started slowly, trying to make sure they didn't make a mistake. Cobras were first on the scoreboard, as Carmel Buttimer was able to capitalise, this was followed shortly by Jen Stedman scoring from the blue line to double the Cobras lead. Cobras player of the game, Heather Wright took the Cobras first penalty, which stemmed the scoring for a couple of minutes, and just as the penalty was over Katy Allen was on hand to make the lead 3-0. The final goal of the period saw Caroline Jackson skate the full length of the ice before lofting the puck over Oxford's fallen goaltender.
Chelmsford started the second on fire, and it was only 41 seconds before Jen Stedman grabbed her second of the night. Cobras then hit penalty trouble, with a couple of minors in close succession giving the Blues over a minute of "two man" advantage, Oxford were unable to capitalise, and as Caroline Jackson exited the penalty box, she skated onto a pass to score Chelmsford's first short-handed goal. Ten seconds later, Emma Stott had her first and the Cobras lead 7-0.
With two minutes left in the period, Emma Stott scored again, and just before the period ended Cobras took another penalty, to end the period short-handed, leading 8-0 and out shooting their visitors 31-10.
Fourteen seconds into the third, Cobras lead was nine goals as Emma Stott scored her hat-trick goal, and Chelmsford's third short-handed marker of the evening. Cobras returned to full strength, and following a scramble in front of their net, Amy Hadden was on hand to open the Blues scoring. Cobras tenth came from Katy Allen shortly after, and the games scoring was completed by Marianne Wright from the blue line.
Player of the game for Chelmsford was Heather Wright, with the Oxford award going to Anna Carlisle, with an honourable mention going to Stacey Wood who, whilst unable to score, did contribute to the Cobras effort with four assists.
This was the Cobras' final home game for this season, but keep in touch with the results from their remaining 5 away games via reports in this paper, or on their web site.
Scoring:
Chelmsford: Emma Stott 3+1(2), Jen Stedman 2+2(4), Katy Allen 2+1(0), Caroline Jackson 2+1(2), Marianne Wright 1+1(2), Carmel Buttimer 1+0(0), Stacey Wood 0+4(0) and Heather Wright 0+0(2).
Oxford University: Amy Hadden 1+0(0) and Claire Randall 0+1(0).