Cardiff Comets battled to a 3-3 draw against Streatham Storm in their opening English Women’s League ice hockey match of the season.

Sam Zala, Kam Bristow and Liv Taylor were the Comets scorers against a new team to the league this season.

Cardiff outshot Storm 53-18, but Storm worked hard and struck on the counter-attack to earn a tie.

Zala netted with assists from Bryony Roberts and Ella Nesic, while Bristol’s goal was on a powerplay with Nesic and Emma Gordon helping to set up the chance.

Taylor’s goal came with assists from Bristow and Nesic.

The next match for Comets is against Bracknell Firebees away on Saturday, January 14, while their next home game is against Basingstoke Firebees at Ice Arena Wales on Sunday, January 22 (2.15pm face-off).

Comets are currently without two of their best players, Jenny Ball and Nichola Rees, who have taken time out to start families.

Ball is arguably the best player in the division and is likely to start playing and return to the captaincy within a month, while assistant coach and longest serving Comet Rees is due back later in the season.

In Ball’s absence Emma Adams has taken the responsibility of wearing the C aided by former junior devil Megan Lawrence.

Practice for Comets is every Wednesday evening (8.15pm to 9.15pm) and anybody wishing to start playing should contact the team via e-mail or their Facebook page.

The e-mail address is thecardiffcomets@gmail.com

Cardiff Comets fixtures

December: Comets 3, Streatham Storm 3

January

Saturday 14: Bracknell Firebees v Comets (3.25pm)

Sunday 22: Comets v Basingstoke Bison (Ice Arena Wales, 2.15pm)

Sunday 29: Solent Amazons v Comets (4.30pm)

February

Sunday 12: Streatham Storm v Comets (4.30pm)

Sunday 19: Comets v Basingstoke Bison (Ice Arena Wales, 2.15pm)

March

Saturday 18: Peterborough Penguins v Comets (6.15pm)

Sunday 26: Comets v Bracknell Firebees (Ice Arena Wales, 2.15pm)

April

Saturday 8: Basingstoke Bison v Comets (6.45pm)

Sunday 9: Comets v Oxford City Midnight Stars (2.15pm)

Saturday 22: Oxford City Midnight Stars v Comets (6.20pm)

May

Sunday 7: Comets v Solent Amazons (Ice Arena Wales, 2.15pm).

Saturday 13: Comets v Oxford City Midnight Stars (Ice Arena Wales, 2.15pm)

Sunday 21: Comets v Peterborough Penguins (Ice Arena, Wales, 2.15pm).