Bristol Pitbulls earn two good wins in ice hockey action

Bristol Pitbulls continued their good form with two wins last weekend.

First they saw off visitors Lea Valley in a 7-3 league victory at Frogmore Street, then they swung into cup action with a 5-4 victory over Basingstoke Buffalos.

Lea Valley got off to the better start and opened the scoring after six minutes.

But it took only a couple of minutes for Bristol to level though Marcroy Smith.

The home side went ahead with a goal from Tom Evans, but Lea Valley scored twice to retake the lead.

However the Pitbulls hit back with three quick goals of their own before losing player-coach Rich Hargreaves, who was sent from the ice for fighting, and Paul Davies, who was rushed to hospital after receiving a skate to the face.

Despite the double setback, the Pitbulls won the period 5-3. Bristol scored twice more for a 7-3 win.

Basingstoke opened the scoring halfway through the first period in the English Ice Hockey Cup, but two quick powerplay goals through Luke Merrick and Steve Osman put the Pitbulls ahead.

Basingstoke levelled at 3-3, and then went ahead in the third period. They looked like holding on for victory until, with the help of a powerplay, Bristol equalised. Then, with two minutes remaining, Mike Smith grabbed the winner with a fierce slap-shot.