The Warriors weather the Stormers
On Saturday 28th February 2026 our Warriors 1 team welcomed the Grimsby Stormers to Planet Ice for this IHSC Cup fixture.
This was the first meeting between the two sides, and it also marked the debut of a new-look Stormers team following the merger of the original Stormers squad with another Grimsby recreational side, the Lightning.
With Grimsby widely regarded as having one of the strongest recreational hockey scenes, the Warriors knew they were in for a tough test. The Stormers had already made an early statement in the 2025–26 IHSC Cup with an 8–4 victory over the Sheffield Blazers, underlining the quality they possessed.
The Warriors were also missing several key players, meaning they would need to be at their very best — and play as a cohesive unit — if they were to come away with the win.
Dressed players
Lewis Pickering (NM), Chris Giles (C), Andy Giles (A), Sam Cromack (A), Tom Mallon, Andrew Hughes, Chris Norman, Ellen Gallimore, Tyler Heming, Dylan Noonan, Sam Cromack, Chris Scampton, Will Gibbons, Harvey Galloway, Chris Blaschko and Jake Wagner.
1st period
As always, the Warriors were keen to get off to a strong start and avoid chasing the game. However, before they could properly settle, they were forced onto the back foot after taking a two-minute minor for interference just 21 seconds into the game.
The early penalty offered a glimpse of the offensive threat the Stormers posed, but the Warriors successfully killed it off and were able to turn their attention back to attack. The opening exchanges saw both sides trade chances, with neither team able to take control.
The Stormers created a couple of dangerous breakaways, but Warriors netminder Lewis Pickering — facing his former club for the first time — stood tall with several impressive saves. With the teams looking evenly matched, it felt like the first goal could prove pivotal.
Despite the Warriors beginning to grow into the game, it was the Stormers who struck first at 07:58. From the corner, their right winger fed the puck into the high slot to a late-arriving teammate, who controlled and fired through traffic. With bodies screening the crease, Pickering had no chance. 0–1 Stormers.
The Warriors remained positive on the bench, knowing they had already begun to build some momentum. At 08:53 the Stormers took a two-minute minor penalty, giving the Warriors their first power play of the night. The hosts dominated possession but were unable to convert, much to the frustration of the home bench.
Their persistence soon paid off, however. At 10:34 Sam Cromack buried the equaliser, finishing a well-worked play assisted by Dylan Noonan and Will Gibbons. 1–1 - game on.
The goal lifted the Warriors and the renewed confidence quickly translated into another breakthrough. At 12:15 Chris Scampton netted his first of the night after good work from Niks Kamaldins and Harvey Galloway to put the Warriors ahead. 2–1 Warriors.
With the momentum now firmly on their side, the Warriors looked capable of extending their lead. But the Stormers responded well and struck back late in the period. With 19:07 on the clock they found the equaliser, sending the teams into the first intermission locked at 2–2.
Warriors 2-2 Stormers
2nd period
During the interval, the coaches’ message was simple: the Warriors had the beating of their opponents, but they needed to maintain their confidence, keep the pressure on, and trust that the game would swing their way.
And that is exactly what happened.
The second period turned into a goal frenzy that ultimately defined the game. It took just 14 seconds after the restart for the Warriors to regain the lead, with Andy Giles finishing a play set up by Noonan and Jake Wagner to make it 3–2.
The momentum was briefly checked at 25:31 when the Warriors were called for hooking, forcing them to focus on defence. The penalty kill held firm, and soon after the Stormers found themselves short-handed when they were penalised for too many men at 29:09.
This time the Warriors made their advantage count. At 29:33 Ellen Gallimore fired a shot from the point which was deftly tipped in by Scampton for his second goal of the night, extending the lead to 4–2.
The goal sparked a surge of momentum. Just 37 seconds later, Scampton completed his hat trick at 29:46 after good work from Kamaldins, pushing the score to 5–2.
Frustration began to creep into the Stormers’ game and they took another hooking penalty at 29:59, although they managed to kill it off.
The Warriors continued to press while the momentum was firmly on their side. At 33:13 Kamaldins added the Warriors’ sixth goal of the night, assisted by Scampton and Tom Mallon.
The onslaught continued almost immediately. Just 13 seconds later, straight from the puck drop, Andrew Hughes finished a well-worked team move at 33:26, with assists from Kamaldins and Scampton. That line was firing on all cylinders as the score moved to 7–2.
With such a commanding lead it would have been easy for the Warriors to relax, but hockey games can change quickly. The Stormers reminded them of that when they pulled a goal back at 34:27 to make it 7–3, leaving plenty of time still on the clock.
There was still more drama to come before the period ended. At 38:24 Noonan grabbed his first goal of the night, assisted by Harvey Galloway and Andy Giles, restoring the five-goal cushion.
Less than a minute later, at 39:13, the in-form Scampton struck again for his fourth of the game, with assists from Jake Wagner and Kamaldins, taking the score to 9–3.
The Stormers continued to battle and managed to grab a late consolation with just 19 seconds remaining in the period, sending the teams into the break at 9–4.
In total, the second period produced nine goals, seven of them for the Warriors - a remarkable spell of hockey that few inside the rink could have predicted.
Warriors 9-4 Stormers
3rd period
Despite the Warriors’ scoring explosion in the second period, their lead stood at 9–4 heading into the final frame. The coaches’ message during the break was clear: maintain focus, stay disciplined, and close the game out professionally.
Psychologically, the next goal felt important. If the Stormers could strike early it might shift the momentum, but if the Warriors reached double figures it would likely put the result beyond doubt.
The Warriors wasted little time settling the nerves. At 43:43, Hughes picked up his second goal of the night, finishing a play set up by Tom Mallon to make it 10–4.
The Stormers were still battling for a way back, but their task became even harder when they were called for tripping at 48:28. The Warriors made the most of the opportunity, converting on the power play when Galloway scored his second of the night at 49:09, assisted by Noonan. The score moved to 11–4 Warriors.
With the clock winding down toward the final five minutes, tensions briefly flared as both teams received roughing penalties, though play remained at five-on-five. Shortly afterwards, at 55:40, the Stormers managed to pull one back to make it 11–5.
However, with only four minutes remaining and a six-goal cushion, the Warriors remained composed and were confident they could see the game out.
In fact, they added two more goals late on to cap an impressive performance. At 56:23, Will Gibbons got on the scoresheet with an assist from Wagner, before Galloway struck again at 57:26, finishing off a play from Cromack to seal a convincing 13–5 victory for the Warriors.
Final score:
Warriors 13-5 Ice Tigers
Points scorers :
Chris Scampton 4+2
Andrew Hughes 2+2
Harvey Galloway 2+2
Niks Kamaldins 1+3
Dylan Noonan 1+3
Jake Wagner 0+3
Andy Giles 1+1
Sam Cromack 1+1
Will Gibbons 1+1
Tom Mallon 0+2
Ellen Gallimore 0+1
Lewis Pickering
Player of the game
Chris Scampton
Captain’s POTG
The Warriors’ player of the game, as selected by the Stormers Captain, went to our goalie, Lewis Pickering, who had a great game! And the Captain’s helmet was a no-brainer - going to Chris Scampton who amassed 6 points in the game. Well played lads!
The team line up for the POTG awards and the “three cheers”.
What a game! After a tightly fought opening period, a remarkable second-period scoring burst ultimately swung the game in the Warriors’ favour.
Thanks to the Stormers for making the trip over to Leeds and for a great contest. We’ll see you at the puddle on Sunday 26th April.
Thanks to those who came down to support the team and help with the scoresheet / admin - Simon Davis, Matt Jubb, Rhys Shears, Chris Hamilton and Abi (who ran the clock). It’s much appreciated!
The next game for Warriors 1 is this weekend. See the details below:
IHSC Cup
Saturday 7th March 2026
Warriors 1 v Hull Knights A
@ Planet Ice, Leeds
Face-off : 10:00pm
All Warriors 1 fixtures can be found here : Fixtures and Results
