LONDON, UK – The NIHL South had another eventful week, with a high profile player departure, a pretty blonde lady invading an NIHL locker room and the league avoiding the EIHA naughty step.
Royal Rumble (John Scott)
Invicta Dynamos were rocked by the departure of star forward Bobby Chamberlain during the week. Amusing labelled Bobby Chamberl-Out by a poster on The Hockey Forum, the Yorkshireman returned to the City of Culture (Hull for anyone who hasn’t been paying attention) and was soon announced as signing for resident NIHL North side, the Hull Pirates.
“Obviously we are very disappointed both to be losing Bobby and at the time of his departure given the success we enjoyed at the weekend” said Coach Kev Parrish on the club website. “Bobby returned home to Hull for a few days following Sunday’s result over Swindon but has since been offered a position that he feels unable to turn down and so will now remain up north.”
Streatham Coach Jeremy Cornish was a happy man after his RedHawks team secured a four point weekend, with new signing Ryan Watt getting four goals in one game in the win over Cardiff.
“I was pleased for Ryan to get his goals early on and he brings a lot to the team on and off the ice” said Cornish in an interview with the South London Press. “He is a leader, plays smart and that’s why we brought him here”
Fun in Swindon
Is there a busier man in Swindon than Luc Johnson? The fresh faced forward was recently seen posing with the Wildcats mascot at Swindon’s railway station for a promotional video, and this week was at new sponsors Wellington Barn posing inside the wedding venue with his Colgate smile.
Not to be outdone, Sam Bullas was later in the spotlight holding a gun to an attractive blonde lady’s head in the Link Centre locker room. The advert was not for Hen Parties looking for a mock hostage event by a hockey player, but to promote the Retro Classic Clothing range.
The governing body released their first disciplinary update of the season, complete with a new graphic of a judge’s hammer. Thankfully the South wasn’t mentioned as it was all kicking, obscene gestures and other indiscretions from our friends in the North. You can read all about it by clicking here.
The Bristol Pitbulls have had some great news recently regarding a new rink in the city, but they continue to play out of Oxford in NIHL 2. Our friends at Banners on the Wall featured a great interview with Mr Bristol himself, Richie Hargreaves who made it a great listen. Click here to listen.
Andre hits MK
Eagle eyed NIHL fans may have noticed a gap in the fixtures for MK Thunder mid-October when Lewis Clifford and his team have a free weekend. Obviously it had to be something important to deny the city their weekly dose of NIHL hockey.
A talk in from MK’s most famous son Dele Alli or an indoor foam party in conjunction with the nearby legendary Pink Punters nightclub?
Nope, it’s Peter Andre playing Mysterious Girl and his many other smash hits on October 21st. Tickets are still available and if you’re not tempted already… the evening is hosted by Pat Sharp of Fun House fame (no, really).
Saturday action review
After a disappointing defeat to Invicta the previous weekend, Wildcats Player Coach Aaron Nell told the Swindon Advertiser his team needed to get a good feeling going in the Cup. Nell led from the front in a 5-2 home win over Basingstoke Bison, scoring two goals to add to efforts from Max Birbraer, Neil Liddiard and who else but the face of the Cats, Luc Johnson.
Ivan Antonov and Dan Scott replied for the Bison who had already lost twice to group leaders Telford prior to the game.
Airways live in Peterborough
Streatham made their first trip to Peterborough for many years and gave a good account of themselves before going down 5-2 at Bretton Road. The Phantoms goals came from Darius Pliskauskas, Glenn Billing, James White, Nathan Salem and Rob Ferrara. Streatham scorers were Brandon Miles and Adam Carr.
The game was streamed by Ice Hockey Live, who have a number of NIHL clubs they work with and provide a good quality broadcast for £8 per IP address. Also in attendance were local indie band Airways who were forced into supporting Streatham by American music mogul and top NIHL supporter Stefanie Reines.
The 482 Days media team were in attendance at the Cardiff Fire v MK Thunder game in Wales and reportedly caused tailbacks at the Severn Bridge toll by trying to bribe the toll booth with a batch of their yellow pin badges.
The Thunder won the game 6-0 thanks to a hat trick from Grant McPherson fresh from his honeymoon in Vegas (who needs training anyway). Tom Mboya hit a brace and Ross Bowers also scored for the Thunder, with Tom Annetts getting a 12 shot shut out.
New Raiders fan Mr McGill with Easton and Blyth
There was drama at Lee Valley Ice Centre as long time Chelmsford supporter John McGill was ambushed on the way to the café in his mobility scooter by Raiders coaches Sean Easton and Alan Blyth.
The drama continued on the ice as the Raiders beat Invicta Dynamos 5-4 in a game that looked dead and buried until the final period. Two goals from Matt Turner and lone efforts from Ollie Baldock, Juraj Huska, Brandon Ayliffe and JJ Pitchley had given the hosts a 5-1 lead before three unanswered goals from Adam Rehak, Tommy Ralph and Harrison Lillis in the third period almost brought the Mo’s level. Josh Condren scored the other goal for the visitors.
Sunday action review
What’s not to like about autumn? Lovely walks in fallen leaves, bonfire night, Oktoberfest events, Halloween and now of course, the return of the Autumn Cup.
Basingstoke Bison hosted the Sheffield Steeldogs in Hampshire in the first game of the new two group tournament and got off to a great start with a 3-1 win.
Jaroslav Cesky, Aaron Connolly and Tomas Karpov were on target for the Bison. Ashley Calvert got the consolation for the Yorkshire side whose only solace was the fact the game faced off at 5.30pm and they got home to the land of tea, steel and puddings at a relatively reasonable hour.
Great weekend for Johnson
NIHL media heavyweights 482 Days and Banners on the Wall were both in attendance at the game. Pro Hockey News didn’t attend solely because we firmly believe three is a crowd and love triangles are not really our scene.
In Telford, Swindon’s Luc Johnson proved he isn’t only a face for marketing as he sniped again, this time against the Tigers in an impressive 4-1 Cup win for the Wildcats.
Sam Bullas also topped off an exciting week by scoring a goal to add to efforts from Chris Jones and Max Birbraer against his old club. For Telford Jack Watkins got the consolation.
Bracknell Bees made light work of Cardiff Fire with an 11-1 home win at the Hive. Frantisek Bakrlik notched a hat trick on a point’s night for the hosts with Callum Best and Jared Lane getting a brace each to add to lone goals for Jan Bendik, Steve Osman, Shaun Thompson and Ben Ealey-Newman. The hard working Fire shattered the Bees shut out with just two minutes remaining through Captain Callum Buglass.
Cardiff’s Brad Watchorn continued his streak of fights by dropping the gloves centre ice with Bees Josh Tetlow to give the crowd something else to talk about. You can watch it here.
Watt keeps his cool in shootout (Fusional)
Peterborough Phantoms made it a four point weekend with a 5-2 road win at Milton Keynes Thunder. The Phantoms goals came courtesy of a brace from Scott Robson and lone goals from Ales Padelek, Will Weldon and James White. The Thunder goals were both scored by Gareth O’Flaherty.
The final game of the evening took place in South London in a typically feisty capital derby between Streatham IHC and London Raiders. By the end of the first period there had already been a fight between Brandon Miles and Julian Smith, plus another between unlikely scrappers Jacob Ranson and Andy Munroe.
The rest of the game didn’t disappoint and ended 2-2 in regulation time with Streatham scoring twice through Michael Farn and Raiders through a Juraj Huska brace.
In the showdown it was left to Ryan Watt and Matt Colclough to be the heroes for Streatham with the former slotting the only goal of the shoot out and Colclough holding his nerve at the end to save all three Raiders efforts.
Results
Saturday 23 September 2017
Cardiff Fire 0-6 MK Thunder
Peterborough Phantoms 5-2 Streatham IHC
London Raiders 5-4 Invicta Dynamos (Cup)
Swindon Wildcats 5-2 Basingstoke Bison (Cup)
Sunday 24 September 2017
Streatham IHC 2-2 London Raiders (Cup) Streatham win on penalty shots 3-2
Basingstoke Bison 3-1 Sheffield Steeldogs (Autumn Cup)
Telford Tigers 1-4 Swindon Wildcats (Cup)
MK Thunder 2-5 Peterborough Phantoms
Bracknell Bees 11-1 Cardiff Fire
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Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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