OXFORD, UK – Oxford City Stars fans can be satisfied with their team’s efforts this season, despite a disappointing play-off campaign that culminated in a heavy defeat against Invicta Dynamos last Sunday.
Forsh scores in front of twins (photo by petemagnusonphotography.com)
With a fifth place finish in the regular league season, the Stars found themselves in arguably the toughest play-off group with league champions Invicta Dynamos and Bracknell Hornets. Despite a good win over the Hornets in the opening play-off game, Oxford went on to lose the return leg and then suffered defeats both home and away against the Dynamos.
Player-Coach Ken Forshee admits that it was disappointing his team did not make an impact and feels that the competition was devalued from the start:
“Obviously I would have liked us to make a bigger impact in the play-offs. I knew it was going to be tough against Bracknell and Invicta but was hoping we could somehow get it done, like the Isle of Wight have,
“I also must say that I felt after a great regular season for the league, I thought the playoffs were run like a circus with the whole Invicta situation and with Cardiff getting the awarded win against the Isle of Wight”
Green Machine
The play-off campaign may have not been sparkling for the Stars but the league season had its highlights despite the changes to personnel. The return of Alan Green after spells at Swindon and Wightlink was a welcome boost to the club mid-season, as was the early return of Andrew Shurmer following his summer transfer to Cardiff. New faces like Yousif Abu-Saada, Joe Boot and Paul Gore have all made an impact alongside the likes of established players like Dean Francis, Nick Eden and Nick Oliver. Despite the departure of Glen Jackson, James Skaife had a strong campaign in goal and Oxford also managed to give valuable experience to youngsters Mike Whillock, Dax Hedges and Josh Oliver.
Lucas v Watchorn
Captain Darren Elliott had a fantastic season up front as he led the team in the scoring charts with twenty eight goals in thirty games. Also contributing double figures in goals were Shannon Taylor, Grant Bailey, Dean Francis and Andy Cox along with Green and of course Forshee. Forshee recognises the efforts of his players and is extremely upbeat when he reflects on the Stars season as a whole:
“I am very satisfied with our team this year. I said all along that we weren’t as deep or talented on paper as the top teams in this league. But we competed hard and came up with some big wins along the way. Overall we had a good year and the boys should be proud of our team’s effort,
“We had some very good wins along the way this year. Winning in Chelmsford along with the road wins over Bracknell and Wightlink. Those wins felt pretty good. The play-off win against Bracknell was a good one too. A personal highlight for me was my wife was able to bring our kids to a game for the first time. It was the Bracknell home playoff win. That night was pretty special to me that they got a chance to see me play”
Joe Edwards on form
Forshee has had a solid year himself with eighteen goals and thirty four assists in his twenty six games. Not bad numbers for a guy coming back after time away from the sport, however Forshee is sure to disappoint not only fans of Oxford but also the ENL as a whole as he reveals that this season is the last we will see of him on the ice:
“It was important to me to have this season as a player. The whole point of it for me was to have one last season to play and go out on my own terms. I had a great time. It was a great room, great bunch of guys. I was happy with the way I played for the most part,
“I felt really good but did find having double header weekends tough. The coaching part was great too. The boys bought into everything I preached. Another reason for me getting back in the game is because I do want to coach so I wanted to get my name out there again,
“My playing days are now definitely over. I know now that I am done. Like I say though I hope to get back into the game coaching but I need it to be the right situation for me”
Boot enjoys first season
With Forshee hanging up his skates, Oxford have a big hole to fill on the ice, however the Canadian reveals that he is looking to advance his coaching career next season however it may not necessarily be at Oxpens Road:
“I would love to go back to Oxford next season and coach. Gary Dent and everybody in Oxford have been great to work with. They have given me an offer to come back, but like I say I need it be the right offer if I am going to be away from my family on weekends. We will see what happens over the next few weeks. I have loved being at Oxford but if things don’t work out I would certainly wish the club all the best for the future”
Key Players 2009/11
Wojciack breaks out
Richard Wojciack – An ever present on the Stars blue line, Wojciack has the ability to break the puck out of his own zone calmly and effectively. Assured on the puck, the former Nottingham and Swindon man is a quietly effective player who is used on the Stars power play to good effect. His nine goals and twenty assists this year may not show his full value to the team, but anyone watching the Stars will see how much he contributes. Last year Wojciack was labelled the leagues dirtiest player earning the moniker ‘Wo-jerk’ from some fans. It was always a dubious accolade however Wojciack has dropped the gloves a couple of times this year when needed.
Taylor celebrates
Shannon Taylor – Once rated as one of the brightest hockey prospects in the South-West of England, Taylor has racked up a number of points this season for the Stars. The former Swindon youngster has good speed and good hands and has caused problems for most defenders in the ENL this year. With fifteen goals and twenty three assists in thirty one games for the Stars this season, Taylor has contributed as a scorer and a playmaker this year. Whilst not prolific he is always a threat on the ice despite not possessing much size.
Mr Oxford scores
Darren Elliott – ‘Mr Oxford’ as he is affectionately known, has had a good season finishing as the team’s top scorer. Elliott can play as either as a centre or on the wing and features on the Stars power-play as much as possible. Now one of the older players on the team, Elliott has often turned down more lucrative deals in the past to stay with the Stars and is a fans favourite at Oxpens Road. His twenty eight goals have played a big part in the Stars’ fifth place league finish. Oxford will be hoping he continues his good form next season.
Statistically speaking – Oxford 2009/10:
Goal scorers: Elliott 28, Green 20, Forshee 18
Playmakers (assists): Forshee 34, Elliott 28, Bailey 25
Bad boys (PIM’s): Cox 129, Elliott 103, Lucas 92
Stats courtesy of EIHA/Malcolm Preen
All photos courtesy of petemagnusonphotography.com
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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