by Peter Larkin

Chelmsford 4
Lee Valley Lions 4

THE Lions under 16s squad wrapped up their season with a point on the road at Chelmsford.

After a poor first period, the Lions bounced back after the break to lead going into the final few seconds only for the home side to grab an equaliser.

The result probably secures fifth place for the team at the end of an up and down season, the Lions recovering from a poor start to the campaign with a good second half, which was also the story of this match.

Chelmsford jumped into a two goal lead in the first eight minutes but a long shot by defenseman Alan Go pulled one back, assisted by Thomas Larkin.

Some sloppy defensive work allowed Chelmsford to restore the two goal edge but a late gift from netminder Steven Rhodes laid the puck into the path of Michael Crosse who slotted in from a tight angle.

Perhaps fortunate to be down by just one, the Lions came out strongly in the second period. Josh Irish and Thomas Larkin both hit the post before Cory Price fed Michael Crosse for his second on the powerplay.

Tim Johnson set up Thomas Larkin who made a neat move to shoot in Lions' fourth late in the period and the Lions were ahead for the first time. Michael Crosse hit the post next, but the Lions skated off 4-3 ahead, a far improved performance backed up by some big saves by Alex Prince..

A tight final period saw Josh Irish again scrape the pipes with a shot but the Lions seemed to have the game won going into the final seconds.

However, a face off with 18 seconds remaining led to a scramble in front of the Lions next and although netminder Alex Prince got a glove on the shot, the puck trickled agonisingly across the goal line for an equaliser.

Bryan Cuthbert won spirit of the game while Thomas Larkin took the MOM.