LONDON, UK – There were celebrations on the Isle of Wight after the government confirmed that they wouldn’t be objecting to the planned rink on the island.
Antonov takes flight
Despite concerns from Sport England (yes you read that right) about the loss of a playing field, the project got the green light to the relief of hockey players and fans.
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said: “The land is not a playing pitch, and consequently no loss of a sporting use arises from this development.”
There is still no word if the legendary Codfather chip shop that used to be located opposite the old rink in Ryde, will be setting up a van outside the new rink. Referee Blaine Evans and many other hockey fans will be on tenterhooks waiting for news.
Going mobile?
Invicta Dynamos fans got the shock of their lives when it was announced on Sky Sports that Ryan Giles was heading on loan to Coventry. Thankfully the Ryan Giles concerned was in fact a young footballer who had moved to Coventry City from Wolverhampton Wanderers and not the Mo’s Captain, who is firmly settled in the garden of England.
The Yorkshire Evening Post posted pictures of the new Leeds ice rink after the new facility opened and hosted its first hockey match on Friday. The Leeds Chiefs went down 4-1 to Sheffield Steeldogs with youngster Lewis Houston making history with the first goal in the building for the new residents. The building will eventually accommodate 2000 fans but was restricted to just 500 on opening night.
Other news breaking through included a statement from the EIHA about live streaming and broadcast of junior hockey.
There’s not much more to be said on the matter other than it really is a sad reflection on our society that such rules have to be put in place to protect children – even if it’s from a tiny minority of weirdos.
Saturday review
The only two teams with 100% win records in the Britton Conference went head to head in South London as Streatham and Invicta locked horns in front of a packed rink.
After a close opening two periods it was the RedHawks that soared ahead in the third period posting a 7-2 win. Player Coach Adam Carr bagged four goals to add to efforts from Ziggy Beesley, Ryan Watt and Vanya Antonov. For the Mo’s it was Owen Dell and Arran Strawson with the goals.
Streatham Captain Michael Farn dropped the gloves with Brandon Webster to add to the drama and Dynamos blueliner Harrison Lillis was ejected in the 3rd after an altercation involving Farn and Miles.
Solent Devils enjoyed a big win over Bracknell Hornets on the South Coast with a 9-1 scoreline.
Alex Murray, Mark Pitts and Alex Trendall all scored two each with the other Devils goals coming from Dan Sheir, Steven Osman and the returning Ralfs Circenis. The Hornets lone scorer was Matt Foord.
Shier had another bout with Kyle Goddard, and Hornets goalie Matthew Croyle was sensationally ejected with a few minutes remaining.
A hat trick from Adam Rosbottom helped Slough reverse their fortunes with a 5-3 win over Cardiff Fire.
Tension too much for Clements to watch – Nicola Day
Jets other scorers were Liam Underdown and Lewis English. Cardiff scorers were Iwan Davies with a brace and a lone goal from Carter-Jaice Lloyd.
Raiders Juniors were tantalisingly close to getting at least a point against Chelmsford Chieftains before a last minute shorthanded goal from Ross Brears broke home fans hearts.
Chelmsford took the 6-5 win thanks to goals from TJ Fillery, Tom Wilson, Grant Bartlett, Adam Jakopin and an earlier effort from Brears.
Ewan Hill bagged a hat trick for the Raiders to add to goals from Alan Lack and Jan Marcilis.
The win came at a cost of a match penalty to Bartlett who was ejected due to an obscene gesture four minutes from the final buzzer.
Sunday review
A shortbenched Streatham team avoided a slip up in Oxford as they took both points with a 6-2 road win.
Brandon Miles bagged a natural hat trick and a Gordie Howe hat trick after he dropped the gloves with Mike Whillock in the first period. RedHawks other goals came from Vanya Antonov, Ben Paynter and Adam Carr.
For the City Stars it was Whillock and Josh Oliver with the goals.
Invicta avoided a comeback by Slough to end the weekend on a high with a 6-3 win in Gillingham.
Alley and the Thunder start well (Lucy McGill)
Man of the match Conor Redmond scored two for the hosts with Tomas Banovsky, Juraj Huska, Owen Dell and Tom Davis also on target. For the Jets the goals came from Bradley Hildreth, Ryan Handisides and Stewart Tait.
The final game of the evening took place in Milton Keynes where the resident Thunder looked like they might shock Solent at one stage before conceding six without reply in a 9-3 loss.
Drew Campbell hit a hat trick for the Devils with Mark Pitts notching twice. Further goals from Alex Murray, Ben Lock and Alex Cole sealed a four point weekend for the second placed side.
Sam Chandler, Ryan Gadeke and Sam Prosser notched for the Thunder.
The results leave Streatham at the top of the table with a four point gap ahead of Solent and then Chelmsford in third.
Final note: Our thoughts are of course with everyone affected by the terrorist attack in Streatham earlier today. Thanks as always to our emergency services who bravely do their job with such professionalism.
Results
Saturday 1 February
Streatham IHC 7-2 Invicta Dynamos
Solent Devils 9-1 Bracknell Hornets
Raiders Junior 5-6 Chelmsford Chieftains
Slough Jets 5-3 Cardiff Fire
Sunday 2 February
Oxford City Stars 2-6 Streatham IHC
Invicta Dynamos 5-3 Slough Jets
MK Thunder 3-9 Solent Devils
Contact the author: davidcarr_2@hotmail.com
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