Billingham Falcons 3 - 4 Kingston Aeros
Saturday 13th November 1999
Following our disappointing performance in defeat against the Sheffield Stormers the previous week we faced the league leaders and title favourites the Kingston Aeros at home last weekend.
This again turned out to be a completely different game with the Falcons going down narrowly 4-3, and pushing for the equaliser in the final seconds. The first period started well for the Falcons with Robert Dowd shooting into the top corner from the blue line after only 2:32, with an assist from Steve Prutchard. On 4:00 Kingston equalised on the break during a Falcons powerplay. On 8:06 the Aeros took the lead with an even handed goal. Before the end of the first period Kingston increased their lead on 14:53 with another break away goal whilst the Falcons were pressing on a power play.
The second period started with some great end to end hockey with both teams going close. However it was Kingstone who managed to create the break through on 35:56 extending their lead to 4-1. The Falcons then started pressing hard to reduce the arrears but it wasnt until 37:15 that Robert Dowd scored his second goal from an astute pass from behind the goal by Steve Pritchard. With the Falcons still pressing hard Steve Pritchard scored from close in on 39:45 unassisted. The Falcons pulled their netminder for the final seconds but could not find the equaliser and Kingston ran out close winners maintaining their 100% record.
Spirit of the game went to Steve Pritchard
Game Statistics: Robert Dowd 2+0 Steve Pritchard 1+2