The game started with the Viper's new netminder, Maya Bhogal, playing her first senior women's game. There was no shaky introduction, and she calmly turned away all the shots she faced during the first period. She was helped by her solid D-men, which today included a good performance as Lucy Ebinger deputised in D. The forwards were trying hard, and although they created a few chances on the powerplay, with Julia Coughill only being denied by the paintwork, the Sheffield keeper was equal to them, and it was 0-0 at the end of the first.

The period team talk was unusually quiet. [I refer you to the above 'man flu' comments]. However, the point was still made - stay calm, and it will come.

Second period. By this time, Anna had been awake for far too many hours - and you could tell! Her coordination was all over the shop, and her skating looked like she was struggling in quick sand - oh, no, I apologise, that's what she looks like normally. Anyway, despite her efforts and those of her line mates, she never really looked quite like she would put the biscuit in the cookie jar - so she left that task to Cookie herself! Cookie scored straight from the face-off after a good pass from Frenchie. However, the whistle had already been blown, and goal disallowed. Face-off again. Same move. Same pass. Different corner of net, and this time the goal stood. You didn't know they did live-action replays at the NIC? Again, some quality saves by Maya saw Vipers go into the final break with a 1-goal advantage.

The game hadn't exactly been clean, and it wasn't getting any prettier. A little scuffle mid-way through the third saw 3 players from both sides sitting it out in the penalty box. Really, they just wanted a chance to discuss the helmet hottie of the moment! Julia, having had her 2-minute rest, came out of the box raring to go. Her efforts were well rewarded from the 4-on-4 play (first of the season, and first post-shoulder operation), again with a good assist going to Frenchie. This would appear to be the last goal of the game, and Frenchie would find herself walking away with the MOM award for some quality passing during the game. She narrowly got the edge over a fine performance in net from Maya, who got a shut-out in her first ever women's senior game (and so I am reliably informed, the first shut out in the D1 north this season).

The post-match conference had to take place without coach Jason Scott. [I refer you once again to the 'man flu' comments above]. The consensus of the attending coaching staff was that it was a good team performance all around, and once again highlighted the great rookie netminding performance. Ryan Rathbone added 'Sheffield are always going to be a tough team, and whichever Sheffield team it is, its always nice to come away with a win. The girls backed each other up, and showed composure at the end to come away with a solid win. I couldn't be happier...'. With this tears started to flow, and the interview had to be cut short.

Jason Scott, having found some colour in his cheeks, gave a lengthy interview on Tuesday night at the NIC. Having had a couple of days to think about his team's performance he was very poetic and considerate with his praise. These words of wisdom were some of the greatest I have ever heard from a hockey coach. Unfortunately, he then managed to bribe most of the Nottingham coaching staff into making the interviewer look like an idiot to people she doesn't know (thanks!), so she isn't going to take the time to publish his thoughts. Will this teach him a lesson? I think not.

"Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character" - John Wooden. See you all next time at the fabulous NIC!