ENL week 26 Round-up

LONDON, UK – Putting things in perspective is a cliche seemingly reserved for positivity when bad things happen. Most hockey players and fans would obviously love to drift endlessly with nothing more to worry about than Jon Sarno’s hand gestures or Dave Richards spraying water into the crowd . Sadly there is always something to vindicate the use of the dreaded cliché and last week the car crash involving Invicta Dynamo Ryan Giles provided a prime example. Giles had to undergo surgery as a result of his injuries and I am sure all of the leagues players and fans will join me in wishing him a successful recovery.
Invicta coach Kevin Parrish also revealed that the knee injury to Nolan Boike suffered against Oxford a few weeks back will cause the talented forward to miss the rest of the season. Losing two of his best players at the business end of the season isn’t ideal preparation for a title run in, nor indeed the upcoming play offs, but then it does give Kevin a good chance to show his coaching nous in the face of adversity. Parrish’s achievements at the Ice Bowl draw easy criticism from critics who say money buys success, however players don’t appear from thin air and the endless recruitment campaigns could have easily gone wrong over the years. Added to which the fact the Mo’s generally have a bigger squad than most and also have a consistent core, Parrish has had a job on his hands keeping everybody motivated and dare I say happy. No self respecting player enjoys limited ice time and unrest can quickly spread if not managed correctly.

After a turbulent week, the last thing Invicta needed was a trip to Cardiff. Unfortunately for the league leaders it was written in the stars (or even Malcolm Preen’s fixture computer) that they were to play in Wales on Saturday. Like the Dead Sea welcoming an open wound, the Devils waited and then caused more pain as they beat the Mo’s for the second time this season in the big blue tent. In a great advert for the ENL, both teams went at it hard in a bone crunching affair ending 6-3 in Cardiff’s favour. Familiar names on the Cardiff score sheet with Steve Fisher notching a hat trick (two empty netters) and Tim Burrows, Luke Piggott and Gareth Dixon also scoring. The three Dynamos’ goals were scored by Elliott Andrews, Peter Vaisanen and Andy Smith. Ant Lennon and Steve Fisher dropped the gloves during the game after the latter went in on goalie Joe White. When pressed, Cardiff do play a hard in your face style of hockey which is effective but can be very irritating and it was perhaps unsurprising that towards the end of the game the Mo’s bruisers Mark Williams, Grant Baxter and Tim Smith all went wild in the aisles with fists flying. Williams earned himself a suspension for his troubles. Was it ill discipline or a statement of future intent from the Mo’s? Only Mr Parrish knows the answer to that one.  

Also in action on Saturday were the Bracknell Hornets who hosted a Milton Keynes Thunder side desperate for points. This was the Thunder’s first chance of the weekend to overtake relegation rivals Haringey but they couldn’t match a Bracknell side who have stuttered lately (despite not dropping points). Two goals from Grant Rounding and one each from Matt Ovenden, Alan Lack, Brad Watchorn, Blair Dubyk and Craig Tribe did the damage for Bracknell. Milton Keynes goals came from Goode x 2, Coffey and McFadyen. The 7-4 score line flattering the visitors who were 7-1 down at one point with the Hornets rampant.

Haringey made the trip to the Isle of Wight with former Raider skipper Norm Pinnington desperate to impress in front of his former team. The small ice suits Pinnington’s strong work ethic and hard hitting style but he was powerless to prevent his team losing 9-1. Wightlink’s goals came from Dan Hughes x 4, Kev Tanner, Andrew Robinson, Jeremy Cornish x 2, and Stuart Tait. Goalie Toby Cooley got himself an assist to round off a satisfying night for Wightlink.
At this point in this week’s column I have to make a confession. Whilst my team mates headed to Chelmsford on Sunday via the Redskins executive bus, I was far away in Jerusalem – literally. As Streatham battled manfully at the Riverside against the Chieftains, I was avoiding a different battle as a group of angry Muslims rioted inside the Old City Walls next to my hotel. Another example of the ‘putting things in perspective’ cliché proving relevant?

Streatham welcomed back Captain Ed Koral to the line up after a nasty shoulder injury and the lads held Chelmsford for two periods before running out of steam at the end to lose 7-4. Two goals from former Redskin Jerry Pavlus and also Danny Hammond added to efforts from Blaho Novak, Ross Brears and Aaron Connolly for Chelmsford. The Redskins goals came via a hat trick for Louis Lockwood and a single goal for Perry Richardson. Another result that shows just how far the Skins have come since the start of the year and also a solid win for the Essex side who would have no doubt seen this game as a potential banana skin.
Haringey Greyhounds entertained Oxford City Stars at Alexandra Palace and would have been confident at getting a result against a Stars side that traditionally struggle at the venue. The 9-0 win for the visitors at first looks very much like a routine hammering, but when you bear in mind that Greyhounds goalie James Tipple had to be replaced by defenceman Sam Partington between the pipes early on in the game, it probably isn’t as bad as first imagined.

The lucky Stars who got goals were Darren Elliott x2, Andy Cox x 2, Richard Wojciack, Shannon Taylor, Grant Bailey and the player coach Ken Forshee. Housewives villain Dave Richards had a scuffle with housewives favourite Dean Francis, but the villain turned the tables remarkably drawing praise from the Stars fans on the internet for his post game banter. Questions will be asked as to why Haringey had no back-up goalie but to be fair, a number of ENL teams have travelled with only one goalie to games this season. Who Haringey will use in net next week remains to be seen, but owner Nick Rothwell would be wise to get young Mr Tipple down to Harley Street this week.

Milton Keynes had a great chance to move ahead of the Greyhounds as they entertained Wightlink Raiders at the Thunderdome. Experienced MK defence man Michael Knights set the tone at the start of the game as he dropped the gloves with Raiders Player Coach Jeremy Cornish. Unfortunately this did not have the desired effect as the battling MK side were narrowly beaten 4-2 by a Wightlink side that were deemed beatable opponents and a possible vital two points. The Raiders goals came from Alex Murray, Damon Larter, Jeremy Cornish and Dan Hughes. The result means that the Raiders are now guaranteed a play off spot ahead of us (Streatham Redskins). 
Peterborough had a rare Sunday home fixture as they entertained Bracknell and suffered another big loss. Despite two goals from Steve Maile the Islanders went down 11-2 in front of their own fans and Bracknell used the game as preparation for their big clash in Invicta next weekend.

So with only a month of hockey remaining, the title is still not decided. Invicta have both games in hand and also points on the board but they have some tough fixtures ahead starting with Bracknell next week. If Cardiff or Bracknell have any ambition of silverware they are going to have to go to Invicta and win. It will be a big ask but if you want to win titles you have to beat the Champions in their own barn to be worthy.
Thanks for reading and stay safe.
Carrsy
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com