After a tough 9-2 loss in Shropshire against confirmed league winners, the Shropshire Huskies, the Buccaneers made the trip over to Leeds for the first time in club history to take on the Lightning.

The game couldn’t have started any better for the visitors as after just two minutes, a breakout pass from Smith found Tyrer who entered the Leeds zone before laying off a perfect pass to McQuade-Gilligan who produced an outstanding finish into to the top right corner. The Buccs continued the offensive pressure and five minutes after the first goal, Walsh carried the puck end-to-end then provided Thompson with a drop pass and he beat the Leeds netminder at the near side to double the lead.

The Buccs advantage would stretch to three in short order as McQuade-Gilligan returned the favour to Ellen Tyrer who was camped in front of the Leeds goal and she fired the puck home for her first goal in Buccaneers colours. A fourth goal for the Buccaneers on 08.23 from Smith gave the visitors a commanding lead and one that should have been enough to see the game out comfortably. However, despite being short-benched, Leeds were not for lying down and fired back with two goals of their own in the space of a minute, first from Case and then Armitage to halve the deficit. Just as the Buccs looked rocked going into the period break, some hard work in the corners generated a loose puck that was pounced on by Thomson and he made it 5-2 with just 10 seconds left to play in the period.

Leeds came out strong in the second and the teams quickly exchanged goals. First, a fine between the legs finish from Armitage brought Leeds back to within 2 before Fogarty fired back for the Buccs. Leeds were clearly growing into the game and creating more chances in the second period and their persistence paid off with goals from Smith and Burdon making it a 6-5 game.

With a period break to reset, the Buccs knew a solid final 20 was required but the period couldn’t have got off to a worse start as Armitage’s hat-trick goal pulled Leeds level just two minutes into the period. Both teams had time in the offensive zones but nobody could find that bit of magic to break the deadlock for much of the period. Both defences were working hard blocking shots, particularly Tierney for the Buccaneers and also Tyrer who put herself in front of a bomb from the blue line to sum up what was a fantastic yet typical all-action performance from her.

And it was Tyrer again who had a hand in the winning goal for the Buccaneers, getting into the slot to fire a shot at Nazarenko who made the first save but Smith was right on the spot to pick up the rebound and fire into a gaping goal.

Nazarenko was pulled with just under a minute to go and Leeds threw everything at the Buccs but the Blackburn side held out for a close victory.

MVP for the Buccaneers went to Paul Tierney. For Leeds, it was Lee Burdon.

The teams will renew their rivalry on Sunday 14th July at Blackburn Arena. Face-off is 4.45pm and as always, entry is free.