LONDON, UK – In an emotional week across NIHL South, hockey largely took a back seat as perspective took hold and the warmth that is sometimes forgotten about in the game returned in spades.
Bowers campaign goes viral
One storyline dominated all others during the week, as UK hockey rallied around MK Thunder forward Ross Bowers. A crowdfunder kicked off by the 4000 and counting podcast was the catalyst for a #bucketsforbowers campaign, auctions and donations from far and wide. The Go Fund me link had raised over twenty thousand pounds at the time of writing. The target was soon extended to £30, 000 and hopefully will surpass that next week.
MK Thunder coach Lewis Clifford cancelled training for his team during the week and the whole squad went to visit Bowers in hospital, as did a number of friends and former team mates.
Ross is in good spirits by all accounts and is scheduled to undergo further surgery this Monday. It goes without saying that we all wish him well and urge everyone to keep donating. If you are unfamiliar with Ross’s hockey career take a read of the big article Pro Hockey News did on him last season.
Peterborough Phantoms skipper James Ferrara was a happy man on Thursday night as he was named Personality of the year by the Peterborough Telegraph. The previous evening his team overcame another test of their title ambitions by bouncing back from 4-1 down to beat Bracknell Bees 5-4 in overtime. Ales Padelek continued his red hot form with the match winner and you can hear his post-match interview here.
Merry pride
There was some good news for the Bees as long time staff member Steve Merry was nominated for an award in the Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards 2019. In the press release he said:
“I could not do the work I do at Ice Hockey without the fantastic support I get from the all of the Off Ice Officials that I work with at local and national level. As well as all the work I’ve done at Finals Weekend.”
You can help Steve secure victory by following the advice on the link here.
For fans of hockey podcasts and particularly Telford Tigers it was a very good week indeed. Banners on the Wall podcast host Anthony Russell secured an interview with recently departed Tiger Doug Clarkson and 4000 and Counting released one with current Tiger Scott McKenzie.
We don’t know about you, but we love a podcast here at Pro Hockey News – assuming we have Wi-Fi as those data charges sting like a bee on the balls.
Saturday review
After a long and emotional week, MK Thunder travelled to Romford to take on the Raiders at the Sapphire. MK fans would have no doubt understood if the team looked a little jaded but in truth they were anything but.
A superb 4-1 road win followed with goalie Jordan Lawday again earning the plaudits between the pipes with a 97% save average. Joe Edwards did the business down the other end of the ice with Shaun Norris and Sam Talbot also pitching in with a goal each.
Aaron Connolly scored the consolation for the Raiders who have now lost four of their last five matches.
Streatham stun Cats
Swindon Wildcats had the trophy ready in the building as a 1300+ crowd turned up at the Link Centre anticipating a league title clinching win over the visiting Streatham IHC. The build up to the game was an example in superb marketing as ever from the Cats with local TV and celebrities drafted in to create maximum exposure for the occasion.
Unfortunately for the Wiltshire side, the Londoners played the ruinous role of a drunk best man at a wedding who stabs the cake, reveals brothel stories involving the groom and then steams out of the venue with two magnums of champagne and drives off in the wedding car.
Alex Roberts, James Warman, Adam Carr and Adam Wood proved chief party poopers with goals for Streatham in a shock 4-3 win, while Damien King earned man of the match for his display between the pipes. Loris Taylor, Max Birbraer and Toms Rutkis replied for the Wildcats, who also had one eye on the game in Kent between the Invicta Dynamos and second placed Peterborough Phantoms.
The Dynamos looked to have handed the title to the Wildcats regardless of the result in Swindon as they steamed into a 4-0 lead over the shell-shocked Phantoms. A brace from Owen Dell and solo efforts from Arran Strawson and Jake Stedman had the EIHA starting to wrap red and white ribbons on the Cup.
Unfortunately for the Cats, Peterborough clawed the score back to 4-4 in regulation thanks to goals from Scott Robson, James Ferrara, Petr Stepanek and Ales Padelek. The point kept the Phantoms faint title hopes alive but the story didn’t end on sixty minutes.
Morris jumps for joy (David Trevallion)
Seven days previous the Mo’s had been humiliated in Peterborough, but an unbelievable turnaround in fortune was served up as their standout goalie Conor Morris, team mates and loyal hard-core of home fans celebrated wildly, thanks to the resulting penalty shootout win that just shows what a crazy sport hockey can be at times.
Paul Bennett and the hard working Mo’s media team took advantage of a lazy Sunday to get the match highlights out in quick time. You can watch all the drama and goals HERE.
The final game of the evening was the first of back to back games between Basingstoke Bison and Bracknell Bees. The old needle has returned to these fixtures this season and it was the Bison who secured the win on the night with a winning goal from Coach Ashley Tait in the shootout.
The game had finished all square in regulation at 3-3 with Josh Smith, Josh Martin and Tyler Van Kleef scoring for the Bees, and Michel Klejna, Adam Harding and Danny Ingoldsby replying for the Bison.
Sunday review
The in-form Thunder hosted the RedHawks in Milton Keynes with both teams looking to secure a four point weekend.
It was the Londoners who prevailed with a 5-2 win at a venue they lost comfortably at last time out. Tom Soar and Alex Roberts both hit a brace for the visitors with Adam Wood making it two in two for the weekend. Joe Edwards continued his scoring form with a lone goal for the Thunder with Trevor LeBlanc completing the tally.
Streatham Coach Jeremy Cornish also handed local teenager Conner Smith his first start with the RedHawks after icing with Lee Valley Lions in the league below this season.
Phantoms glimmer of hope
At the Hive, the Bees woes continued as they lost in overtime and watched the Bison skate off with a four point weekend themselves thanks to hat trick hero Adam Harding bagging the winner.
A lone goal from Alex Sampford and a late shorthanded equaliser from Ashley Tait completed the Bison scoring, while a brace from Tyler VanKleef and lone efforts from Zak Milton and Aidan Doughty secured another lone point for the Bees.
Despite the weekend not going to plan, the Wildcats can take solace from the fact they will attract another big crowd at the Link this coming weekend as they try again to lift that elusive league title against the Bees.
For the Phantoms they simply need to keep winning to have any chance of glory and face a tricky visit to the Raiders and then host Streatham with four points needed or bust.
Results
Wednesday 6 March 2019
Peterborough Phantoms 5 Bracknell Bees 4(after overtime)
Saturday 9 March 2019
Swindon Wildcats 3 Streatham IHC 4
Invicta Dynamos 5 Peterborough Phantoms 4 (after penalty shots)
Basingstoke Bison 4 Bracknell Bees 3 (after penalty shots)
Raiders 1 MK Thunder 4
Sunday 10 March 2019
MK Thunder 2 Streatham IHC 5
Bracknell Bees 4 Basingstoke Bison 5 (in overtime)
Contact the author carrsy2@gmail.com
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