13th May 2000 Oxford University Blues 1 Chelmsford Cobras 5
Chelmsford Cobras returned to Oxford for the second time in a week, to take on Oxford University Blues in their final game of the season.
The start of the game was delayed by almost 45 minutes, due to problems with the ice surface, a massive gouge near the Zamboni pit as well as the surface being water instead of ice.
This delay frustrated both teams, but once the play got underway, the play was all in the Oxford University end. Chelmsford were unable to utilise their passing plays due to the remaining water on the ice, and every time they shot on the goal, the Blues' goalie Andrea Cummins was on hand to turn the puck away. The period finished scoreless, with the Cobras having outshot the Blues 22-1.
Sticking to the game plan, and hoping their luck would change, Chelmsford started the second period again camped in the Oxford zone, and eventually found a way past Cummins when Rachel Kearn converted the pass from Stella Jones.
Less than a minute later, the Cobras hit their fourth and fifth posts of the game, as Katy Allen's shot came off both the uprights, before falling to the stick of Stacey Wood who was able to double the Chelmsford lead.
A couple of minor penalties finished the period, and Cobras' seemed comfortably in control in the third until Oxford University managed to exert some pressure of their own, which saw them half the Cobras lead as Judith Kelly was hand to finish the move.
This seemed to spur the Cobras on, and less than a minute later the two goal lead was restored when Emma Stott scored assisted by Katy Allen.
With a little over five minutes to play, the refereeing decisions, or lack thereof, resulted in the expulsion from the game of Jen Stedman, as she objected to the rough treatment which she was subjected to, the saw the Cobras go onto the penalty kill at a crucial time. However, there was nothing to worry about, as the Cobras grabbed two short-handed goals, through Stacey Wood and Katy Allen to complete the scoring.
Player of the game awards went to Cobras, Rachel Kearn for her well worked game breaking goal, and hard work throughout the game, and Blues' Andrea Cummins, who stopped 38 of the 43 shots she faced.
This was the Cobras' final game of the season, they'll be back in action at Riverside in the Autumn.
Scoring:
Oxford Uni: Judith Kelly 1+0(0), Laura Halonen 0+1(0), Colleen May 0+1(4).
Chelmsford: Stacey Wood 2+1(0), Katy Allen 1+2(0), Emma Stott 1+1(0), Rachel Kearn 1+0(0), Stella Jones 0+1(0), Jen Stedman 0+0(24)