Kodiaks D2 Show Resilience in a Gritty Double-Header Weekend
The first-ever Kodiaks D2 home double header weekend delivered exactly what it promised – drama, challenges and two very different tests for the home side.
Saturday’s matchup against the Lee Valley Vampires felt like “one of those days” before the puck had even dropped. A forgotten goalie stick, missing skates, a broken-down car and a delayed face-off all combined to set the tone for a chaotic start to the weekend. Having already experienced the Vampires’ firepower earlier in the season, where they scored four times in the opening seven minutes- the Kodiaks knew that composure from the first drop of the puck was non-negotiable.
To that end, the plan was “mission accomplished”. The Kodiaks held the Vampires scoreless until 11:45, staying disciplined and organised under relentless pressure. Once the deadlock was broken, however, the visitors showed exactly why they are such a well-drilled unit, controlling the tempo and forcing the Kodiaks to defend for long stretches.
Between the pipes, Ellie Alban delivered a heroic performance, facing an astonishing 75 shots as the Vampires poured forward. Despite the scoreboard pressure, the Kodiaks refused to fold and found a second wind in the final period, pulling two goals back through Scarlett Shelton and Natalya Piotrowicz – a reward for their persistence and hard work. Final score was 14-2 for the Vampires.
Sunday brought a reset – and a very different story.
With the Milton Keynes Falcons flying in for their second meeting of the season, all kit was present and correct, and the Kodiaks took to the ice determined to apply the hard lessons learned the day before. What followed was arguably the strongest hockey the team has played to date.
From the opening face-off, the Kodiaks matched the Falcons stride for stride, trading grit, physicality and determination across all three periods. Despite finding themselves down 3-0 in the third, the home side refused to let the game slip away. Goals from Shelton and Jennifer Orthmann reignited belief and set up a tense, nail-biting finish that had the rink on edge until the final buzzer.
In net Alban had another incredible game, proving that dedication and hard work pay off. Final score was 3-2 for the Falcons.
While the first points of the season remain just out of reach, this weekend showed how far this group has come. With a committed team performance and growing confidence, the Kodiaks are edging closer with every game — and if this weekend is anything to go by, those points are only a matter of time.