LONDON, UK – As the UK recovered from an exhaustive week of Black Friday shopping, there was only one thing to do. Head down to the local ice rink and enjoy some exciting NIHL South action.
We are rarely awake early in the morning here at Pro Hockey News HQ and in truth a McDonalds breakfast serving is usually a tight deadline at 10:30am.
However much of the UK is awake much earlier and a sizeable proportion are tuned into Good Morning Britain on ITV from 6:00am.
Viewers during the week were treated to a special guest appearance from Streatham players Adam Wood, Joe Allen and Daniel Clayton as they helped celebrity meteorologist Laura Tobin do the weather at regular intervals.
The publicity came at a cost however as the weary Streatham trio had to be in Canary Wharf before 6:00am after finishing training at 11:00pm the previous night. You can watch the clip by clicking HERE.
London Raiders were rocked by the departure of forward James Pentecost, who announced he was leaving for Peterborough Islanders in NIHL 2 for a schedule more suitable to his work commitments as a pilot. He said:
‘I’ve made the really hard decision to step down from the club. It’s not a decision I’ve really wanted to make as I’ve had a great time here and met some amazing teammates and fans.’
What is better than a 13 goal thriller with only a goal between the two teams? A 13 goal thriller that is caught on film and thanks to Mo’s TV it was and you can view it by clicking HERE
After a heavy home defeat to Streatham last weekend, Oxford City Stars Coach Simon Anderson gave a radio interview to Oxford Sports Online as part of the midweek NIHL round-up.
‘Streatham were excellent and didn’t let us play, but we have to work harder’ he said.
‘We need to be better than that. When we lose, we want to bounce right back, and we now have to go and beat the league leaders away.’
‘We’ll go to Chelmsford with total confidence, we play them 3 times between now and Christmas which will have a massive bearing on where we finish in the league.’
On a lighter note, Oxford revealed their Christmas merchandise range with players Alan Green and Andy Cox modelling on the promo.
There was no sign of the cat that appeared with Green in earlier publicity so perhaps he ditched it in the river behind the rink or maybe in a wheelie bin? That was a joke before the cat crowd get the pitchforks out and surround his house in protest.
Injured Bracknell Hornets star Kamil Kinkor is now back on his feet after a major leg break suffered a couple of weeks ago against Milton Keynes Thunder.
Kinkor’s haul
The Czech forward is on crutches but that didn’t stop him delving into traditional English culture with his first ever visit to a Toby Carvery. The former London and Streatham man dined at the Bromley restaurant but from the pictures he posted on social media, opted out of the King Size option and saved £1.50.
On a final note, regular readers will remember the excitement of the summer when it was announced that Vanilla Ice would be appearing on the ice at Alexandra Palace in December over three wonderful nights.
Unfortunately the gigs have now been cancelled due to poor ticket sales at the North London venue so the good people of the capital will have to find alternative entertainment. We can suggest a NIHL game as a cheaper upgrade.
Saturday action
The top of the table clash at the Riverside between Chelmsford Chieftains and Oxford City Stars got the full media treatment as the BBC sent a radio crew to cover the game.
Despite a close opening period the hosts pulled away and ended with a rather comfortable 8-3 victory.
Grant Bartlett and Danny Hammond scored a brace each for Chelmsford with Jake Sylvester, Darren Brown, Liam Chong and Juraj Huska getting the others.
Chong scores against Oxford (Ice Cold Photography)
Ben Paynter, Alan Green and Joe Edwards were on target for the City Stars.
In addition to the BBC, the 482 Days media team were also in attendance at the Riverside and reportedly caused a pre-game tailback with some painfully slow driving through Chelmsford town centre, and then post-game with an over cautious approach to the McDonalds Drive thru speed humps.
Streatham and London Raiders took part in an ill-tempered match up at Lee Valley Ice Centre, with the visitors coming out on top with a 4-3 win.
Streatham scorers were George Norcliffe, Sean Scarbrough, Steven Fisher and Ryan Webb.
Tom Davis, JJ Pitchley and Jacob Ranson scored a goal each for the Raiders.
Fists flew during the game with a line brawl taking place that saw a number of players drop the gloves, however it was Streatham’s Steven Fisher who was handed an early shower after tussling with Ranson and then Pitchley one after the other.
Sunday action
Oxford City Stars mini slump continued as they lost 5-3 at home to MK Thunder.
The hosts were 5-0 down at one point as a Jakub Klima brace and goals from Adam Harris, Ross Bowers and Harrison Goode piled on the frustration.
A late rally with goals from Mike Whillock, Jason Ikin and Joe Edwards gave the Stars hope but it was the Thunder who took the two points.
The Stars held on to their second place in the league however as Streatham could only draw with London Raiders in South London.
Flamingo land with Blaine and Marek (John Scott)
It is rare a 0-0 game happens at any level of ice hockey, however Raiders goalie Michael Gray and his opposite number Matt Colclough were in sparkling form and kept the crowd waiting for a goal. Linesman Phil O’Neill wore a head cam for this game so perhaps thats why the game had very little penalty trouble.
The result was even more important for both sides’ title ambitions as leaders Chelmsford showed why they are extending their lead at the top every week with a last gasp 5-4 win at Solent Devils.
The Devils came from behind an impressive four times during the game before the Essex side put them to the sword.
Danny Hammond, Juraj Huska, Grant Bartlett, Jake Sylvester and Ollie Baldock were on target for the Chieftains, while Richard Facey grabbed a brace as did Sam Rudkin for Solent.
It was Rudkins first senior goals so well done to him!
The results leave Chelmsford six points ahead of second placed Oxford with two games in hand.
At the bottom of the table Bracknell Hornets are now looking at a three point gap above them to MK Thunder who have played 5 less games.
Results
Saturday 26 November 2016
London Raiders 3-4 Streatham IHC
Chelmsford Chieftains 8-3 Oxford City Stars
Sunday 27 November 2016
Streatham IHC 0-0 London Raiders
Oxford City Stars 3-5 MK Thunder
Solent Devils 4-5 Chelmsford Chieftains
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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