National League: London Raiders 9 Oxford 6

London Raiders made it three wins out of four this season with success in an old-fashion shoot-out against Oxford at Lee Valley last night.

It was not a night for netminders, with Michael Gray and opposite number James Skaife conceding 15 goals between them from a combined total of 78 shots.

But the avalanche of goals ensured there was plenty for fans to celebrate in the stands.

Jakub Klima opened the floodgates for Raiders with a powerplay goal in the eight minute, before setting up Tom Davis for a shorthanded second, as Ross Wilkinson served a slashing minor.

Czech defenceman Vaclav Drabek made it 3-0 before Davis and Klima combined to set up player-coach Danny Marshall on another Raiders powerplay.

But Oxford opened their account through Joshua Oliver seconds later, beffore Marshall completed the first-period scoring in the final minute with his side’s fifth.

Marshall set up Davis for number six, on a delayed penalty call early in the middle period.

But Oxford, following their surprise 6-5 win over the Isle of Wight a week earlier, hit back with a brace of powerplay goals around the midway mark.

Joe Edwards netted the first of his hat-trick as Jacob Ranson sat out an interference minor, before James Pentecost struck with home debutant Josh Condren serving a hooking call.

Drabek replied with his second goal of the night, as Raiders enjoyed a man advantage late in the period, and captain AJ Smith made it 8-3 within 90 seconds of the start of the final stanza.

Edwards grabbed another powerplay goal for Oxford, with Phil Manny sitting out a roughing penalty, but Klima responded on the next shift to quickly restore the home side’s five-goal cushion.

Raiders could not reach double figures, though, and saw Edwards and Oliver add to their tallies inside the final 10 minutes to earn further consolation in defeat.

Marshall’s men will now prepare for their toughest weekend of the season, as they welcome Invicta Dynamos to Lee Valley for a cup match next Saturday and visit defending champions Chelmsford the following night.

But forward Frankie Harvey is due to return to their line-up after completing a four-match suspension held over from last season.

Raiders: Klima* 2+4 Marshall 2+3 Davis 2+2 Drabek* 2 Smith 1+2 Oliver 0+1.

Stars: Edwards 3+1 Josh Oliver 2+3 Pentecost 1+2 Joe Oliver 0+1.

Shots faced: Gray (Raiders) 36 Skaife (Stars) 42.