Royal Navy Destroyers bounce back from opening defeat to beat the reigning champions

The Royal Navy Destroyers delivered a shock in match two of the Inter Services Ice Hockey championships by beating the reigning champions at IceSheffield.

The RAF Aces came into this fixture looking for vital momentum ahead of Thursday's final against the British Army Blades but came unstuck against a determined Navy performance.

After losing to the Blades in match one, the Destroyers bounced back with a 4-3 win over the Aces.

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The champions took the lead in the first period as Craig Johnstone's long-range strike went flying into the net, but some ill discipline cost the Aces.

Both Navy goals in the first period came from powerplay situations (when the RAF were reduced a player due to a sin bin) as James Diamond made it two goals in two games before Lewis McGloughlin picked out Martyn Gray with a superb pass and the Navy attacker dispatched his shot to make it 2-1.

The RAF hit back through their captain, Barry Fee, but the Navy responded immediately to retake the lead within seconds as Diamond showed cutting edge with a ruthless finish.

It became the pattern of the game as the RAF made it 3-3 with Fee's second of the game from close range, but the Navy took the lead again as Lee Duance scored on a breakaway.

From there, the Navy held on during some nervy moments as the Aces pressure piled, but the 4-3 final result will be seen as a big step in the right direction for Royal Navy Ice Hockey after a performance full of grit, determination and final-third quality.