ISLE OF WIGHT, UK – On a day when hockey teams up and down the country contented themselves by concocting outrageous online stories to fool their fans, Wightlink Raiders had to reveal a painful truth.
After a dream weekend that had seen the Raiders complete a remarkable play-off double over Cardiff, Wightlink were sensationally told that the 7-5 home win last Saturday was to be forfeited due to their icing of an illegible player. The announcement of the forfeit was sadly no April fools joke for Raiders fans.
On the face of it, the decision is normally straightforward. If a team ices an illegible player the game is forfeited 5-0 and the two points go to the opposition. The Raiders are adamant however that they are victims of an error by the governing body and have been essentially cheated of the shock victory, and the strong position they would have enjoyed in the play-off table.
The player in question is the blameless Richard Nembhard, a 20 year old forward for Wightlink’s second string team, the Tigers. He was added to the Raiders roster ahead of the game with Cardiff after the club confirmed his registration with the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA). The Raiders have emails confirming the registration of the player from the EIHA registrations secretary and even confirmed it verbally on the morning of the game. On the Sunday in Cardiff, the Raiders were met by ENL South Manager and EIHA official Paul Hayes, who stated that Nembhard was not eligible to ice. Wightlink took this advice on board and did not dress the player in a game they subsequently won 4-1. Raiders Head Coach Jeremy Cornish guessed that there was trouble ahead:
Cornish defiant (Photo Tim Bowers)
“We made every effort to confirm the registration of Nembhard was valid. We had it confirmed and double checked in writing from the EIHA Registrations Secretary as there was no way we would risk dropping points in the play-offs. I wanted to give Richard some experience and also bolster my third line in both games, but when I saw the EIHA official enter our locker room on Sunday before the game in Cardiff I had a sinking feeling that something was up”
The Raiders appealed against the 5-0 forfeit and this was then downgraded to 0-0 but with the two points to Cardiff. Was this an admission of an error by the governing body perhaps, to come to an uneasy compromise? The whole saga is something the EIHA could have done without following on from fixture issues with both Invicta and Blackburn that has seen both teams lose points and upset fans. The decision to award the game 0-0, does however give Wightlink a head to head advantage over Cardiff if the two sides finish level on points at the end of the play-off group stage.
Despite being upset at seeing his team lose the two points, Cornish believes his team must build on the on ice performances from last weekend:
Raiders V Devils always physical (Photo Tim Bowers)
“The next two games are massive for us and after the decisions that have gone against us, my guys will need no extra motivation to get us through to the final”
For Cardiff it is a reprieve that gives them a chance to bounce back after last weekend’s nightmare. Devils coach Mark Cuddihy and team will take no pleasure from Wightlink’s misfortune however if they can beat Chelmsford this weekend, it will put them right back in contention.
Fans, players and officials alike will be hoping that the action on the ice can salvage a play-off competition that is rapidly losing both appeal and credibility. The fingers of blame can be pointed during the summer but for the next few weeks it is to be hoped that the EIHA and the clubs can work together to ensure there are no more off-ice issues for the rest of the season.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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