England U19 defeat Scotland

England U19 beat Scotland 3-2 at iceSheffield on Friday to win the Frank Dempster Memorial Trophy for 2017.

The junior international, held as a curtain-raiser to the Conference Weekend, is one of British Ice Hockey’s longest-running fixtures.

England took the lead after only 63 seconds when Cole Shudra jumped onto a loose puck on the doorstep to fire a one-timer past Kyle Johnston.

Scotland went close on their first powerplay of the night as Jordan Buesa’s shot from the left circle produced a sprawling save from Ashley Smith.

England defender Lewis Baldwin hit the left-hand post during a spell of four-on-four with a blast from left point, while Johnston produced a fantastic point-blank save from Rio Grinell-Parke.

Jordan Kelsall’s feed from behind the net set up Joe Colton to fire in England’s second from the slot after 15 minutes.

Lewis Houston’s backhand shot forced a good save out of Smith as Scotland had a bright start to the second period and they were rewarded with two goals in 66 seconds from Chad Smith.

The Fife forward’s shot from left point on the powerplay in the 26th minute took a deflection before going in and he then finished off a two-on-one break, converting Craig Garrigan’s inch-perfect pass a minute later.

Kelsall had two chances on the same shift to put England back in front but was twice denied by Johnston.

Colton hit the left-hand post on a breakaway early in the third period, before Shudra broke right-hand side to score his second and put England 3-2 ahead in the 47th minute.

Scotland’s Dean Hamilton was dismissed for kneeing, before Johnston produced two point-blank saves from Kelsall.

Netminder Johnston was pulled by Scotland for the extra skater late on, but England’s rearguard held firm to secure the victory.

(Image permission: Martyn Warwick)