Deja Vu for Warriors 1 against Vikings ‘B’
On Saturday 5th July 2025 our first team travelled to Ice Sheffield to take on Don Valley Vikings ‘B’ in the IHSC Cup.
This was the Warriors’ ninth and penultimate game of their IHSC Cup campaign in the Intermediate division.
With the season now entering its decisive phase, the equation was clear: to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Warriors needed to win both of their remaining fixtures to stand any chance of securing 2nd place and qualification for the August playoffs.
It was a tall order - especially with both remaining games coming against teams who had already beaten the Warriors earlier in the season.
Also, the team were short benched. Several players who had featured in the corresponding home fixture were unavailable this time around - Sam Cromack, Niku Ghaemi, Simon Morrow, Ellen Gallimore and Ivis Homuts all played in that earlier match, which ended in a dramatic 6–6 tie before the Vikings edged it in a shootout to claim the extra point.
Nevertheless, the team remained quietly optimistic heading into this first test against the Don Valley Vikings.
This game marked a positive milestone for the club with the debut of young defenceman Sam Cadman. A familiar name to many in the Warriors community, Sam is the younger brother of Luke Cadman (Warriors 2) and son of Dean Cadman, who represents the club’s development team.
Dressed players:
Lewis Pickering (NM), Chris Giles (C), Chris Blashko, Dylan Noonan, Mitch White, Andy Giles (A), Tyler Heming, Callum Greenhalgh, Niks Kamaldins, Jordan Batty, Tom Mallon, Adam Gibbons, Will Gibbons, Chris Scampton, Harvey Galloway and Sam Cadman.
TL;DR / Summary
The Warriors produced an unforgettable comeback in this penultimate IHSC Cup Intermediate Division fixture, clawing themselves back from a three-goal deficit to force a shoot-out against a heavily reinforced Don Valley Vikings side.
Despite ultimately falling short in the penalty shoot-out, the Warriors left the ice with heads held high, having battled through adversity and demonstrated immense resilience.
1st period
The game got off to the worst possible start for the Warriors, with a defensive lapse allowing the Vikings to score just 30 seconds in. Before the team could settle, they found themselves 2–0 down at 5:33, as the Vikings’ top line of #87 Smith, #9 Schofield, and #66 Krawczyk - a trio more commonly seen competing at the Elite level - combined with clinical precision.
At 9:38, the deficit deepened as the Vikings struck again, putting the Warriors 3–0 down and reeling. The team were struggling to find their rhythm and knew they were underperforming.
However, at 11:40, a much-needed lifeline arrived. Defenceman Tyler Heming jumped up into the play, received a smart pass from Dylan Noonan, and slotted the puck home to make it 3–1. The Warriors began to steady the ship in the latter half of the period and carried growing momentum into the intermission.
Vikings 3-1 Warriors
2nd period
The next goal was always going to be crucial. The first half of the second period was tightly contested, with neither side able to break through.
The Warriors had a chance to close the gap when the Vikings took a two-minute penalty, but disaster struck - a costly turn-over on the power-play led to a short-handed goal for the Vikings at 30:45 - a real sucker punch that made it 4–1. The hosts’ Needham converting from elite talent -#9 Schofield.
To their credit, the Warriors didn’t crumble. The response was determined, and it paid off at 36:19 when the top line linked up beautifully. Will Gibbons fired home with assists from Mitch White and Dylan Noonan.
Then, with less than a minute remaining in the period, Gibbons struck again - this time from a Noonan pass with an additional assist from debutant Sam Cadman. The Warriors had won the period 1-2 and reduced the deficit to 4-3. The comeback was on!
Vikings 4-3 Warriors
3rd period
The third began just as the Warriors had hoped. At 42:42, Dylan Noonan tied the game with a goal set up by White and Gibbons. From 4–1 down to 4–4 - the momentum had shifted decisively!
But the next five minutes were brutal.
The Vikings’ elite talent showed its class again, as M. Smith scored at 47:40 from Schofield, and then Schofield scored at 52:04 from Smith - two goals of real quality that made it 6–4 with under 8 minutes left.
Just as it looked like the mountain was too steep to climb, the Warriors rallied again.
With time ticking down, plans were made to pull netminder Joe Quinn at 58:30 for the extra skater.
Fortunately, they wouldn’t need to wait. At 58:18, Dylan Noonan scored his second of the game to make it 6–5, assisted again by White and Gibbons.
At 58:30, as agreed, Quinn was pulled and Niks Kamaldins joined the first line. Just 14 seconds later, at 58:44, Kamaldins buried the game-tying goal, assisted by the irrepressible Noonan. The Warriors bench erupted - jubilation after an astonishing comeback!
The final 75 seconds were played with focus and control, and the buzzer sounded on a deserved point for the Warriors.
Final score :
Vikings 6-6 Warriors
Penalty shots
For the second time this season, the game ended 6-6 and would be decided in a shootout. Also for the second time, the Vikings would come out on top.
The Warriors sent out Niks Kamaldins, Mitch White, and Andy Giles as their shooters.
Unfortunately, only White was able to convert, while the Vikings buried two of their three attempts to take the extra point. Bad luck for our shooters. Worth noting that the Vikings also pulled in their A Team netminder, Benji Allender for this contest. He wasn’t playing in the home fixture.
Final score :
Vikings 7-6 Warriors
Points scorers:
Dylan Noonan 2+3
Will Gibbons 2+2
Mitch White 1+3
Tyler Heming 1+0
Sam Cadman 0+1
Callum Greenhalgh
Captain’s player of the game
Player of the Game, as selected by the Vikings, deservedly went to Callum Greenhalgh - and the helmet also went to Callum! A double recognition of his outstanding performance on the night. Fantastic work, Callum!
A special mention also goes to Sam Cadman, who impressed in his debut appearance and even picked up an assist. A composed and confident performance from the young defenceman, who clearly has a bright future ahead.
Thank you to the travelling support, it was nice to see and hear you in the stands. Always a pleasure to see the usual suspects - Richard and Stella!
As the Warriors took one point and the Vikings took two, qualification for the playoffs is all but over for the Warriors.
However, with one game remaining, the Warriors will now regroup and focus on finishing the season strong.
As this is Warriors 1’s final game in the IHSC Cup, please feel free to come down and cheer the team on!
Details below:
IHSC Cup
Saturday 12th July 2025
Warriors 1 v Shropshire Huskies
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
Face-off : 19:30
Free entry
Watch this space for future Warriors 1 fixtures : Fixtures and Results.
Thank you to Billy Schwenzer for the pictures (@schwenzerr on Instagram)
Double Header Night!
While our first team wraps up their IHSC Cup campaign, our development team will be taking on the Grimsby Trawlers - all on the same evening!
Why not come down early, catch the development team in action, enjoy a beer, and stick around to support the first team in their final cup game?
It’s the perfect night of hockey - we’d love to see you there!
Details below:
Challenge game
Saturday 12th July 2025
Warriors 3 v Grimsby Trawlers
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
Face-off : 17:00
Free entry
Watch this space for future Warriors 3 fixtures : Fixtures and Results.
