LONDON, UK – After the drama of the cup semi-finals last weekend, it was back to league business as the final countdown to the end of the regular season campaign began.
Island family (Nicky Craft)
After a long wait the EIHA Development Strategy was finally published and can be viewed HERE
Sadly this had only come to our attention towards our deadline so we will save the assessment of it until next week.
Most players look forward to a midweek fixture with the enthusiasm of a barn owl during day light hours, however on Wednesday a large number of hockey players were eager to get on to the ice in Ryde.
The Wightlink Raiders faced off against a ‘Legends’ side in front of an emotional crowd on the Isle of Wight. Families often remark that they only ever get together at funerals or weddings and if the doors to the arena shut as planned in a few weeks time, then it is perhaps no wonder that so many ex-Raiders made the effort to play the game.
Indeed the cast list just showed how many of British hockeys characters had at one time or another laced them up for the team over the years.
Cornish reflective (Nicky Craft)
The Hargreaves brothers Richard and Mike came down from Bristol, Alan Armour and the Swindon contingent were there as were the stalwarts and old guard Andy Pickles, Steve Gannaway, Tony Blaize, Matt Paynter and who else but Storming Norm Pinnington amongst many more.
We all still have our fingers crossed that Ryde continues to operate next season, but it is certainly a waiting game for all concerned.
Current Raiders Coach Jeremy Cornish was still picking up the pieces after his side gave away a one goal lead from the first leg of the cup semi-final, to lose relatively heavily in the second leg in Invicta and lose their chance to reach the final.
“I am absolutely gutted with this past weekends result against Invicta” explained the big Canadian in his Coaches Corner.
“We won a hard fought battle on Saturday and then went to Invicta on the Sunday and lost. We had a two goal lead on Sunday and once again let things slip to the point we couldn’t claw our way back”
“We put ourselves into a good position to secure the points and a spot in the final, but once again Invicta’s offence was too much for us”
Fowler a thorn in the side of the opposition
“It’s very frustrating to lose to that team, because we usually play a well organised and committed team game, but for some reason against them we play uncommitted and I think sometimes uninspired”
Cornish was not the only one feeling blue about the Cup, as Streatham Captain Joe Johnston reflected on the Londoners penalty shot defeat to Chelmsford.
“I’m proud of the guys for the effort and the character shown to never give up and to keep fighting – those things are real Streatham traits – but hugely disappointed as it was in our own hands” admitted Johnston in an interview with the South London Press.
“Chelmsford are a class act, but I feel that they didn’t beat us, we allowed them to win through a few individual errors and lapses in concentration, if that makes any sense at all”
Heartache for Streatham (Rick Webb)
“The other reason I was disappointed is that as soon as Besty missed that deciding penalty shot it very quickly hit me that not only were we out of the competition but it was another opportunity gone”
“I looked around the dressing room after and the average age of the team I guess is around the 25 years of age mark. These lads have years of future chances to win cups and league titles”
“I’m 35 now, and it dawned on me very quickly that there’s not many opportunities left for me. The same goes for fellow veterans Carrsy, Taity and big Dom”
“It made me feel sad and anxious, and of course gutted about the loss and the way we lost – as I truly believe had we beaten Chelmsford we would have gone on to win the whole thing”
Cold weather in Egypt ?
Oxford City Stars had a great result last weekend against Bracknell so Pro Hockey News caught up with Mr Oxford Darren Elliott to get a full overview of his sides recent revival.
Well actually that is perhaps what we should have done, but instead we are bringing you a picture of Stars forward Joe Edwards who celebrated the two points with a trip to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt where he stripped off in front of some pensioners in a hotel.
Sometimes the NIHL gets so random, you don’t even need a caption under a photo and this is one of these times.
News emerged that the new rink in Cardiff would be delayed opening due to construction work stopping recently. This was not linked to the ram-raiding of the big blue tent last week but has been put down to the additional housing in the development failing to sell as quickly as had been hoped.
Stig of the Hive?
The Wales Online website reported that building work had now restarted and that the twin pad facility would be open at the end of 2015. More details can be read HERE
Last but not least, reports were rife that a short version of popular Top Gear driver ‘The Stig’ was spotted in the Bracknell Hornets changing room this week. If you can guess which Hornet it is, email your answer to the usual address.
Saturday
Oxford City Stars started their double header weekend with a tricky home fixture against Chelmsford Chieftains. When we say tricky we actually mean tough, and so it proved with the visitors winning 11-3.
Regular starter James Skaife was missing from the Stars line up with Connor Standing taking his place.
A brace each from Martin Piecha, Cameron Bartlett and Darren Brown added to efforts from Danny Hammond, Lukas Zatopek, Michael Ranby, Matt Turner and Julian Smith for the Chieftains. For Oxford it was Joe Oliver, Darren Elliott and Mike Whillock on target.
Elliott enjoys consolation against Chelmsford (Paul Foster)
The win for Chelmsford may have pleased their travelling support but it was made even more notable as title rivals Invicta were beaten 6-3 on the island by Wightlink Raiders.
Jeremy Cornish and his men all but extinguished the remaining embers of any title hopes for the Mo’s with a win thanks to a brace from Owen Griffiths and solo efforts from Chris Cooke, Damon Larter and Craig Tribe.
Juraj Huska grabbed a hat trick for the visitors who travelled with just over two lines.
Sunday
Invicta’s long trip home the previous night didn’t affect them too much on Sunday as they despatched London Raiders 6-2 at Silverblades.
Nicky Lewis and Juraj Huska scored two goals each for the Mo’s with Michal Oravec and Callum Fowler also on target.
Jakub Kostalansky and Jacob Ranson got the goals for London, with Ross Wilkinson also returning to action following his lengthy ban.
The game had a controversial moment that incensed London fans, but thanks to the guys at Mo’s TV, evidence arrived soon after the game. To watch it click HERE
Happy stitched up Redskins with Tanya Romans
Oxford City Stars had their second chance of the weekend to pull away from Cardiff at the bottom but they hit a wall in Streatham as the Redskins beat them 6-0.
Jakub Klima scored four for Streatham with Dom Hopkins and Robbie Brown getting the others. Goalie Aaron Taylor grabbed his first shut out at this level turning away 31 shots.
The games other talking points included Streatham’s Sports Therapist Tanya Romans stitching up not one but two Streatham players without anaesthetic during the game.
Birthday boy Joe Johnston took a puck to the chin and got two stitches and import Sean Scarbrough got three stitches above his left eye after he was checked to the ice in the opening minutes of the game.
Both players returned quickly and will have smaller facial scars as a result. Do chicks dig scars? That’s the eternal hockey question.
There was more bravery in Milton Keynes as Chelmsford Chieftains beat the resident under 4-3 in a tight game.
Brears gash
Martin Piecha, Ross Brears, James Ayling and Matt Turner were on target for the Essex side, with Brears playing on despite a big gash on his leg courtesy of a sharp skate blade.
MK scorers were Piotr Poziomkowski, Josh Nicklin and Ryan Coffey.
The final game of the day was a pulsating south coast derby as Wightlink Raiders beat Solent Devils 4-3 at Gosport Ice Rink.
The returning Alex Barker scored two for the visitors with Jaroslav Cesky and Owen Griffiths also on target. Solent goals came from Andrew Magee with a brace and a lone effort from Alex Sampford.
The result means that Wightlink move up to third position in the league ahead of Streatham on goal difference.
Maths has never been a strong point in this column but by our calculations Chelmsford can win the league next weekend if results go their way.
Saturday 7th March 2015
Oxford City Stars 3-11 Chelmsford Chieftains
Wightlink Raiders 6-3 Invicta Dynamos
Sunday 8th March 2015
Invicta Dynamos 6-2 London Raiders
Streatham Redskins 6-0 Oxford City Stars
MK Thunder 3-4 Chelmsford Chieftains
Solent Devils 3-4 Wightlink Raiders
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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