Warriors³ short benched in Cleveland
On Saturday 20th June 2026, our development team travelled to Billingham to take on the Cleveland Comets in a BOTB Cup game.
Our Warriors³ team made the long journey to Billingham to face the Comets in their 9th BOTB Cup fixture.
Unfortunately, the team had many players unavailable for this one and this was probably the shortest bench they had iced all season.
They were able to ice just eleven skaters against a Comets side who could roll three lines throughout the evening.
Also, without Rory Butcher or Kieran High available for netminder duties, David MacIntyre would step between the pipes for this one.
This was going to be a huge test for the team.
Dressed players:
David MacIntyre (NM), Charlie Tang, Andy Palfreyman, Connor Brocklebank, Craig Baker, Dale Bedford, Jake Crabtree, Josh Moss, Tomasz Molenda, Phil Pearce, Paul Eaglestone, Phil Bradley.
1st period:
The Comets started brightly and capitalised on their numerical advantage, opening the scoring after 9:26 before doubling their lead just over half a minute later at 9:59.
Just 19 seconds later, the Comets made it 3-0, meaning they had scored 3 goals in the space of 52 seconds.
With fresh legs constantly coming over the boards for the home side, the Warriors were forced to dig deep to avoid this becoming a massacre.
And so they did - the Warriors responded brilliantly - refusing to let the game get away from them.
At 12:04, Jake Crabtree finished well to reduce the deficit and reward the Warriors for an improved spell of pressure. This was Jake’s first ever goal for the Warriors.
However, the Comets restored their three-goal cushion at 14:08, to make it 4-1.
But again, the Warriors showed grit and determination to stay in the game as Charlie Tang converted the team’s second goal of the night - reducing the deficit to 4-2.
The score remained at 4-2 as we entered the first intermission.
Comets 4-2 Warriors
2nd period:
The Warriors continued to battle hard in the second period, despite the fatigue beginning to show.
With low numbers the team needed to conserve energy which resulted in less offensive attacks and a greater focus on defending.
The team were able to keep the Comets at bay for a large chunk of the second period, only succumbing to another goal at 28:49 to make it 5-2 to the hosts.
But despite there being more than half the period left to play, this did not open the floodgates.
Instead, the Warriors stood firm for the remainder of the period, only losing it 1-0 and keeping themselves in the game.
Comets 5-2 Warriors
3rd period:
With such low numbers, the team had done remarkably well to enter the final period at 5-2.
They had clearly put a huge amount of effort into that first 40 minutes. But at what price? What did they have left in the tank for the final 20?
Unfortunately, the Comets’ numerical advantage was about to pay off as the Warriors legs became too fatigued to maintain their previous performance levels.
The Comets scored 4 more goals in the period - timed at 41:11, 46:29, 50:44, 50:59 for a final score of 9-2 to the hosts.
Final score:
Comets 9-2 Warriors
Points scorers:
Charlie Tang 1+0
Jake Crabtree 1+0
Jake Crabtree
Player of the game
Jake Crabtree
Captain’s POTG
It was a clean sweep with the awards as both the Player of the Game award and the Captain’s Helmet went to Jake Crabtree. Jake picked up his first Warriors goal in only his second appearance! Well played mate!
While the 9-2 score-line was disappointing, the effort shown by the Warriors’ depleted squad could not be questioned. With so few players available, everyone was forced to shoulder extra ice time against a fresh Comets team, and the group continued to compete until the final whistle.
*Credit goes to Cleveland based photographer, ‘Hell of a View’ for the excellent images included in this report.
Our development teams’ next game is also in the BOTB Cup against Bradford Ice Wolves.
When the Warriors travelled to Bradford in January, the game went to a shoot-out after a 3-3 tie. The Ice Wolves took the spoils that night, but hopefully there will be some advantage in playing at home this time round.
See details below:
Bottom of the Barrel Cup:
Saturday 4th July 2026
Leeds Warriors³ v Bradford Ice Wolves
Face-off : 9:45pm
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
For all Warriors development fixtures, please check this page : fixtures and results.
