LONDON, UK – The red mist is often attributed to moments of madness on the ice. Countless match reports note the red mist falling over a player whose subsequent actions range from firing a puck at the referee to wind milling an opponent with a barrage of punches. On Sunday it was the latter example that sealed a fantastic road win for us.
The victim of ‘le brume rouge’ was the experienced MK Thunder defence man Michael Knights who up until that point had been the Thunder’s stand out performer. Composed and assured throughout the game Knights was dictating every play the Thunder made and looked to be their best chance of getting back in to the game. At two nil down in the third the Thunder had a great opportunity when a beautiful floating pass out of his own zone from Knights set Paul Jamieson through on goal, but our goalie Will Sanderson made a great save to deny the home side a grand stand finish. It was then that mist came down and poor bystander Kelvin Dodd could only turtle as the fists of Knights rained down on his face cage. Knights insisted Dodd had cross checked him however the end result was an early bath for the Milton Keynes man, two minutes in the box for Dodd and in all honesty two points for the Redskins.
It reminded me of the time when my current Redskins team mate Richard Hardy iced for Bracknell Hornets in a game against Haringey Greyhounds at Alexandra Palace. It was fair to say that we (Haringey) were hanging on for dear life in the game having scored a few goals early on. The Hornets were all over us and Hardy in particular was their main threat up front. After he speared our goalie for no apparent reason, I shouted “What the (EDITED) was that Hardy?” and before I knew it he was trying to knock seven shades of the proverbial out of me. Out of shock I simply covered up on the ice but apparently that wasn’t enough and with two of his fingers firmly lodged up my nose he proceeded to try and rip my nostrils out. Luckily due to a resilient linesman and also my ‘Watchootoo tribe’ line of self defence, I managed to keep my nose from resembling Daniella Westbrook’s once crack riddled snout. Not only that but Hardy got kicked out and we got a five minute power play and won the game. On the flip side I couldn’t smell anything for about a week which was pleasant!
That’s the danger of the red mist, although common victims of its curses can admittedly use it to their advantage as intimidation. Just like in Top Gun, you often need a Maverick even if you already have the solid, dependable Iceman. Dangerous/edgy players certainly have their merits.
That two nil victory for Streatham in Milton Keynes rounded off a poor weekend for the Thunder who had spent the previous evening being convincingly beaten 6-1 by Wightlink Raiders. The Raiders, who had presumably managed to rescue their kit from touring South London really needed this win to bounce back from last week’s disaster. Player coach Jeremy Cornish continuing his recent points haul for the Raiders with a hat trick and also two assists.
Joe %22Rocky%22 White fights Mike %22Angry%22 Brabon (Photo David Trevallion)
At risk of labouring the theme, it was certainly not mist but rather full blown red fog hanging over the Ice Bowl as various gloves came off and fists flew between the current league champions and the feisty visiting Welsh side. Cardiff goalie Mike Brabon put forward his nomination for angriest goalie in the league by scrapping with opposite number Joe White at centre ice, just a week after he offered to fight the whole Peterborough Islanders team with very little provocation. Also in the mood for a ruck were Grant Baxter, Mark Williams and debutant Lloyd Fuller for Invicta, and Gareth Dixon and Jamie Dancey for Cardiff who all scrapped at some point in the game.
The match was also notable for Invicta’s Andy Smith who notched his 500th point in Dynamos colours. I will be expecting a ‘Thank You’ card from Mr Smith over the next few days for my contribution as a traffic cone in numerous games against him.
Andy Smith – 500 point man (Photo David Trevallion)
Only a week after being accused of travelling to Peterborough on the Cardiff team bus, poor referee Adam Hames apparently fainted in the bar (was it Kevin Parrish’s potent aftershave to blame?) after officiating the Invicta clash and was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Let’s hope he is ok and I am sure all supporters and players across the league wish him well.
Peterborough Islanders conceded double figures for the second home game running with a dismal 11-2 defeat to Bracknell Hornets. Brad Watchorn proved that he can do more than just fight with a hat trick for the visitors. Ross Mackintosh bagged a brace for the Islanders and seems to be their only offensive threat at present.
Bracknell made it a four point weekend the following day with a convincing 7-2 victory over the Haringey Greyhounds in Berkshire. The Greyhounds seemingly unable to build on the two points they picked up last week, or was it zero points. Regular readers of this column will testify I am not one for rumours however I have heard that the Haringey/Wightlink decision may not be as clear cut as first mentioned. For those of you surprised at this please read last weeks article I wrote regarding EIHA Towers!
Peterborough rallied after their drubbing on Saturday by running Oxford City Stars close on Sunday in the University city. The City Stars were dealt a hammer blow earlier in the week when marquee signing Juraj Rusic left to join Swindon Wildcats and they were clearly below par as they only just edged out their opponents 5-4. Dean Francis got two goals for the home side that outshot the Islanders 62 to 23.
As for me, I am still in physio and progress is slow, the ankle is still swollen and tender and that’s after a month of rest !
Streatham Ice Rink with an %22old time hockey%22 feel.
I will be writing in more detail about the subject however Streatham Ice Rink is in danger of closing so if you could sign the petition against this, it would be much appreciated:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/keep-streatham-skating.html
Thanks for reading and stay safe.
Carrsy
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographr at David.Trevallion@prohockeynews.com
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