The Key & Eagle Digital sponsored Blackburn Buccaneers missed out on this years Ice Hockey Summer Classic playoffs after suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of the Riverside Raiders.

The first game in Widnes was a high-scoring affair that finished 9-5 in favour of the home team. The teams were locked at 2-2 after the first period but it was Riverside who went on the front foot in the second period with two unanswered goals. A hectic third period saw eight goals and despite a valiant effort from the Buccs, they were never able to peg the Raiders back.

Hudson Nuttall finished the game with a hat-trick and an assist but that wasn’t enough to scoop the MVP which went to Ian McQuade-Gilligan for an all-action performance that included a goal and an assist.

The return game in Blackburn was a lot tighter albeit the Raiders again came away with the spoils in a 3-1 victory. The game was played at a very good pace by both teams but the Buccaneers just couldn’t put the puck in the net when it mattered, the sole goal coming from Alex Frewin.

That result condemned the Buccaneers to third place in this years group stage and therefore we don’t progress to the semi-finals at Sheffield. Congratulations to go the Raiders and Halton Huskies who were worthy winners/runners-up.

We’d like to thank Jimi Drinkall for another successful year of the Summer Classic. These tournaments are not easy to organise but Jimi does a sterling job!

We’ll be looking to get some challenge games booked in over the rest of the year so keep your eyes peeled for more games.