LONDON, UK – The NIHL South 1 returned for 2019 full of drama, excitement and the title race opened up a little more.
Bees are buzzing (Kev Slyfield)
After a Christmas schedule involving a handful of clubs, the rest of the league prepared for the first full round of fixtures in 2019.
The league was rocked over the holiday period by the sad news that media outlet 482 Days would be taking an indefinite break on account of personal reasons. Despite much teasing from PHN towards our fellow NIHL media, in truth 482 Days has filled a massive void for the lower tiers of UK hockey since its relaunch.
From live match night tweeting and statistical number crunching, to the popular PIAMG game that has entrants from across the country striving to win a branded mug each week, Nancy and her team are a lifeline to hockey fans needing a holistic view each weekend. All fans of the NIHL and beyond, hope to see the flame haired journalist going weak at the knees by a Zamboni again very soon.
482 days goes weak at the Boni with the iconic Wiggy
All of us at PHN wish Nancy and her family thoughts and prayers as they go through a difficult and no doubt traumatic period of their lives.
On the ice, the holiday period proved to be a happy one for Swindon fans as the Cats scored back to back victories in the league, including a vital home win over league leaders Peterborough.
The Phantoms also lost against the Bison to narrow the gap a little, but still had a number of games in hand on their would-be challengers.
The GB under 18s squad was announced and included a few representatives from the NIHL South. Raiders Callum Burnett, Thunder’s Sam Talbot and Phantoms Bradley Bowering all got the nod from Coach Martin Grubb, and will compete against the likes of Italy and Austria in the spell-checkers headache that is Székesfehérvár, Hungary.
With British social media predictably slagging off the latest recruitment drive by the British Army, hockey fans were left wondering if the U.S. military team had used their festive tour of the UK as a carrot to potential recruits.
One can only imagine the TV adverts…. Kosovo, Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan?? Think again buddy, join today and we’ll take you to Kirkcaldy, Murrayfield, Sheffield and…….Romford (on a Friday night too).
The US team lost all four fixtures but made lots of friends, and discovered the wonders of stovies, bagpipes, Yorkshire tea and Sugar Hut – ok the last is unconfirmed.
“And they have a place outside called Yates wine lodge?”
Invicta Dynamos finally filled their vacant import slot as 21 year old Latvian Oskars Ancitis flew in to spend the remaining winter months on the Medway Riviera.
“Oskars is young, energetic and hungry to make his mark in this country” said Head Coach Kev Parrish. “He has plenty of enthusiasm but also experience of putting the puck in the net and that’s what this team needs most at this time.”
After introducing the late-hitting rule that has effectively made some games in the NIHL non-contact thanks to confusion for players and officials alike. IIHF president Rene Fasel promised to push international hockey to adopt the 200-by-85 foot surface (NHL size surface) – starting with two major hockey events in 2022, believing hockey on a smaller surface is more exciting.
The new approach was welcomed in Grimsby and Gosport as they readied themselves to be potential trail blazers of the future.
Saturday review
Bracknell Bees secured a vital 3-2 overtime win over Peterborough Phantoms thanks to a winning goal from Shaun Thompson. The experienced forward sparked scenes of joy at the Hive adding to earlier goals from Josh Martin and Ivan Antonov. Peterborough scorers were James Ferrara and Martin Susters.
The Raiders were the form team of the league before the Christmas break, and the Romford based outfit beat London rivals Streatham 4-3 thanks to goals from Brandon Ayliffe, Jake Sylvester, Juraj Huska and Aaron Connolly.
The RedHawks replied through Adam Carr, Ryan Webb and Alex Roberts, but lost star defensemen Michael Farn (to injury) and Leigh Jamieson (ejected for checking to the head) on a night to forget.
Raiders seal another win (John Scott)
Swindon continued to roll, with a 5-2 home win over Milton Keynes Thunder. The Cats earned the plaudits over Christmas with a 1200+ crowd at the Link, and they continued to impress their home support thanks to a brace from Aaron Nell and lone goals from Sam Jones, Floyd Taylor and the returning hero Jonas Hoog.
Thunder scorers were Hallden Barnes-Garner and Rio Grinell-Parke, while the visitors also lost Alex Whyte on a high sticking call.
Basingstoke Bison gave fan favourite Dan Weller Evans the start in their game against Invicta Dynamos, and he helped his team to a 7-2 win in Hampshire.
Russ Cowley and Paul Petts scored two each for the impressive Bison, with Michal Klejna, Adam Jones and Jay King also on target. For the Dynamos Harrison Lillis continued his scoring mini streak and Arran Strawson also netted.
Sunday review
Milton Keynes almost snapped the Bees winning streak and were leading 2-1 after the first period, before a shorty from Ivan Antonov and an effort from Aiden Doughty sealed a four point weekend for Doug Sheppard.
Stuart Mogg scored the opener for the Bees with Hallden Barnes-Garner and Alex Whyte on target for the Thunder, whose goalie Jordan Lawday had a stormer saving 50 of the 53 shots he faced. The Bees also lost Tyler VanKleef on a high sticks call that was later downgraded to a game.
Roberts celebrates (Rick Webb)
Streatham iced forward Adam Carr as an emergency defenseman as the RedHawks faced the visiting Bison with only three regular blue-liners.
The two sides were tied at 3-3 in regulation, before Carr slotted in three goals in the shootout to seal an unlikely win for Jeremy Cornish’s men.
Alex Roberts scored a brace for the RedHawks in regulation with Jacob Ranson also on target. For the Bison the returning Liam Morris scored, as did Ashley Tait and Richard Bordowski.
New Invicta import Oskars Ancitis had an entertaining debut as he scored and also got a 2+10 penalty in the Mo’s 5-1 defeat at home to Swindon.
The Cats made it a four point weekend to stay at the top of the table thanks to a brace each from Sam Jones and Sam Bullas, plus a lone goal from Jonas Hoog.
Dynamos goalie Conor Morris picked up the man of the match award saving 58 shots over the 60 minutes.
4 point weekend for the Cats
The Raiders long winning streak came to an abrupt halt as the Phantoms grabbed a much needed 7-1 win on home ice to keep up their advantage near the top of the table.
Ales Padelek hit a hat trick for the hosts, Corey McEwen bagged two and both Martin Susters and Glenn Billing scored one each. For the Raiders Liam Chong scored the consolation goal and forward Blaho Novak made it into triple figures in penalty minutes for the season thanks to a game misconduct for slashing.
The results mean Swindon stay top of the league by 2 points, but Peterborough have four games in hand over them and sit right behind in second place.
Results
Saturday 5 January 2019
Raiders 4-3 Streatham
Bracknell Bees 3-2 Peterborough Phantoms (after OT)
Swindon Wildcats 5-2 Milton Keynes Thunder
Basingstoke Bison 7-2 Invicta Dynamos
Sunday 6 January 2019
Streatham IHC 4-3 Basingstoke Bison (after OT)
Milton Keynes Thunder 2-3 Bracknell Bees
Invicta Dynamos 1-5 Swindon Wildcats
Peterborough Phantoms 7-1 Raiders
Contact the author carrsy2@gmail.com
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