The Beaufort Knights got a sobering reality check on Saturday evening, losing 3-8 against the 6th placed Leuven Chiefs in what must be considered an upset. Heading into the match the men from Luxembourg were surfing a wave of momentum from 4-straight victories that saw them lead the championship. Perhaps that confidence turned into complacency as an early lead against the Chiefs was turned into a crushing defeat.

For the opening 15 minutes of the match it appeared to proceed as expected. The Knights used simple, quick chips off the boards to gain entries into the Chiefs defensive zone and then worked hard to keep possession and fire shots at Kwinten Tambeur in the Leuven goal. At 8:28 the Luxembourgers' disciplined approach paid dividends as the league’s top scorer Brad Holman fired into the top of the net from close range after being set up by his line mates Eric Wambach and Claude Mossong. The Chiefs however would immediately strike back 40 seconds later through Niels Nijs. It wouldn’t be long before the Knights regained the lead and it would again come from the 2nd line combination of Claude Mossong, Holman and Wambach. For the remainder of the period the chances would be roughly 50/50 but it would be on the power play that the Leuven Chiefs would seize the initiative in the match. 2 quick goals from Nicolas Crins and Paul Gleveau, after the Knights penalty killers were caught puck-watching, would see the Belgians take a 2-3 lead into the 1st intermission.

 

The first period was a close-fought contest between 2 hungry teams. The second period would be as one-sided as the Knights have suffered in a long time. The Chiefs would begin to grind away at the Knights with fast-paced hockey. Winning most of the races and battles for control of the puck. After scoring the go—ahead-goal at the end of the first period, Paul Gleveau would add another 3 goals to his tally and Gerard Schout chipped in to give the team from Leuven a daunting 2-7 lead heading into the final minutes of the 2nd period. The Knights would continue to battle though and after Michel Welter saved a somewhat controversial penalty shot, Brad Holman would score on the powerplay from a nice cross-ice pass by Sacha Backes to rekindle some hope for the men from Beaufort.

 

In the final period the balance of the game shifted back to resemble the first period. Chances were split, the contest was even but at 50:50 Gerard Schout would score his 2nd goal to squash any chances of a Knights comeback. The match ended Beaufort Knights 3-8 Leuven Chiefs.

 

With the Mechelen Whales also losing 2-7 against the Kortrijk Spurs, the Knights remain in 2nd place, 2 points behind the leaders. However, should both Antwerp and Heist win their respective matches this weekend, then the Knights will fall to 4th position. This would be a reality the Beaufort Knights would have to face up to on the 18th of December when they host the Antwerp Phantoms.

 

The Knights attention will now turn to Saturday 11th December and the commencement of their Luxembourg Hockey League (LHL) campaign against arch rivals Tornado Luxembourg at 19:00 in Patinoire de Kockelscheuer. A match that promises to provide fireworks whatever the outcome.

 

Article by Liam McEvoy