THE Chelmsford Chieftains have vowed to go on the attack against bitter rivals Romford Raiders on Sunday. Player/coach Gary Clarke says his outfit will look to take the initiative at home against a team they have beaten twice in cup competitions this season.
He knows though that Romford remain a tough proposition – after all they remain unbeaten in their nine games in National Ice Hockey League South division this season.
"They are our biggest rivals and this is the first time we've come up against them in the league," said Clarke. "We know they'll be looking for revenge after the two cup defeats and this represents out biggest test of the season so far."
The Chieftains currently sit second in the league behind surprise leaders Wightlink Raiders who they play this Saturday. But Romford are lurking with three games in hand. "I don't think even if we lose I'll be too worried about the league at this stage," added Clarke.
"This is the most competitive the league has been for years."
Last weekend Chelmsford beat Invicta Dynamos 6-3.
They ran riot in the first two periods and raced into a 6-2 lead after 40 minutes of play. The goals coming courtesy of a four goal haul by Julius Sinkovic in arguably his best game for the Chieftains, Tibor Schneider and a short-handed marker from Danny Wright.
There was also time for two scraps in the final period with Danny Cox squaring off with Aaron Strawson and getting the win, before Michael Ranby doffed his helmet and facecage and took down Anthony Lennon in a decent fight.
It was a mixed weekend for the NIHL2 side the Chelmsford Warriors as they went down, unexpectedly, to a 5-1 home defeat on Saturday night to a rejuvenated Bristol Pitbulls side.
On Sunday there was a much improved performance from the home side which saw them turn over the Slough Jets in a 6-3 win.
The goals came from a brace by Ben Osborne, Dan Peters, Stevie Woodford, Mason Webster and man of the match Tom Wilson. This result leaves the Warriors joint second in the table by one point with league leaders Peterborough Islanders with a game in hand.
