LONDON, UK – As the final buzzer sounds on a complete NIHL South 1 schedule for the first time since 2019, the best news is of course that the campaign went the full distance.
Streatham celebrate (Fusional)
Champions Streatham proved pre-season predictions correct as they steamed in to top spot early on and never looked in any danger of relinquishing it. Player Coach Michael Farn’s side has scoring, depth, toughness and character in spades and such was their form, the only things that looked likely to stop them, were either another Covid lockdown or World War 3.
Thankfully for RedHawks fans (and probably the rest of the UK) neither scenario came soon enough to deny Farn and his men a consecutive championship, despite a pre-Christmas scare on the former and a stalling for now of the latter.
Streatham’s star forward and undoubted league MVP Vanya Antonov stands at the top of the scoring charts but his team mates are far from a supporting cast. Scoring is spread across the forward lines and the defence and goaltending is at another level to their rivals. Farn gave debuts to numerous teen prospects across the season and local youngsters Milique Martelly and Conner Smith have blossomed in a campaign with almost zero negative points.
The South Londoner’s eased to victory at the top, but beneath them the standings were far closer.
Blue flag flying high in Bristol (FlyFifer)
The happiest set of fans in the league after Streatham must of course be those of Bristol Pitbulls. A Cinderella story of a team living on the road for a decade, only to return home to a brand new rink, sell out crowds and a lofty 3rd place finish in the standings. The Hargreaves family deserve all the praise they get for their efforts to deliver a new dawn for the Pitbulls and the results on the ice have been the icing on the cake.
Lukas Smital’s Slough Jets continue their upward trajectory despite losing star players to the higher leagues last summer. The Jets youthful core proved a match for most opponents they encountered and their top talent soon became a target for rink neighbours Bees IHC in the league above. Talented prospect Christian Mohr just one example making the most of extra ice on a two way deal.
Romford Junior Raiders campaign tells a similar story, albeit a finish a few places down the standings. Long known for developing junior talent and now making use of their National League side’s appeal and its coach Sean Easton’s GB under 18 role to attract top young talent in the region, Romford’s hard skating talented youth core pulled off some upsets over the season, particularly a big win on the road in Kent against Invicta midway through the campaign.
Solent Devils maintain their status as a well organised and dangerous side and their second placed finish is all the more remarkable given the loss of high scoring Richard Facey and Ralfs Circenis early on. Alex Murray’s side have developed a knack of winning close fought games (most overtime wins in the league) and continue to make the most of their home ice and strong goaltending.
Higher budget sides Chelmsford Chieftains and Invicta Dynamos looked early season contenders to Streatham’s crown at the start of the season but for different reasons got nowhere near the South London side over the 32 game campaign. With each side drafting in two imports amongst a number of quality senior Brits, they will likely both be a little disappointed with their respective league placings.
Mixed season for Mo’s and Chieftains (Dave Trevallion)
Chelmsford started the season slowly before an upturn in form, but by then it was too late to get close to the soaring RedHawks. Mixed results and a threadbare roster kept the Mo’s well off the pace, with salt rubbed in the wounds with an uncharacteristic Cup final drubbing against Streatham. Both sides will be aiming for better in the Play-Offs with the talent at their disposal.
At the bottom, Oxford City Stars stayed well clear of the wooden spoon ahead of Milton Keynes Thunder. Both sides iced a core of quality players at times during the season, but neither had the depth to climb any higher than their final positions.
So all in all, a season of youthful progression, trophies, returning crowds and most importantly, that full on-ice campaign complete. A testament to the EIHA, the players, fans and officials.
Contact the author: davidcarr_2@hotmail.com
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