LONDON, UK – The NIHL South season started this weekend with a limited fixture list. However that didn’t stop two clubs putting together their final preparations for the upcoming campaign with a friendly fixture.
Preparing Ryde Arena for the new season
Most hockey fans realised the new season was coming when the whole country got battered by wind and rain last week, to mark the end of British summer time.
Who enjoys sunshine and al fresco dining anyway? Not us hockey folk, we love dark winter nights, choppy ferry crossings to the Isle of Wight and heavy spray smashing against our windscreens whilst travelling to rinks on motorways across the South of England.
The Pro Hockey News season preview covers everything you need to know from the summer months and you can read it by clicking HERE
Back to recent times and London Raiders were rocked this week when it was revealed that forward Alan Lack’s two way contract with Basingstoke Bison turned out to be one way, and he won’t be icing with the Raiders this season.
Sadly these are the dangers with two way deals, but as always in hockey the boot can quickly change to the other foot in any given circumstance.
Alright stop.. collaborate and paint.. ice ice baby
Excitement was building on the aforementioned Isle of Wight, and it wasn’t just the hockey fans that were happy at developments at the new and improved Ryde Arena. Linesmen and referees rejoiced as the blue line and red line were freshly painted as the new ice pad was laid and then displayed on Social Media.
Just when everyone thought nirvana had been reached in Ryde a stunning offer was advertised in the rink bar. Pizza for £2 and Chicken Wings 4 for £1 on game nights is deal that will send the nearby Codfather into meltdown and provoke Chicken Cottage up the High Street into a price war.
NIHL foodies have never had it so good since the Invicta Burger Meal Deal at Silverblades, Gillingham.
On a similar food note, there was jubilation when rumours surfaced that Cardiff Devils NIHL had secured a sponsorship deal with Hooters. Day dreams of tight orange bikinis and hockey were soon dashed when it was announced that the deal was with the similarly named Shooters Sports Bar and Grill. We are sure that this is an equally fine establishment and a Devils player (as yet unnamed) is appearing there for a Man v Food challenge this coming Wednesday – this is not a wind up and we will hopefully have a full report next week.
Yie Ar Kung Fu
Invicta Dynamos were another team rocked by a last minute departure as defenseman Michal Benadik picked up a long term injury recently and has had to be replaced by the impressive looking Slovak Ondrej Zosiak. The Dynamos also put out an advert on Twitter for anyone with a spare room who could house a potential new signing to boost their squad.
It may have been fate that Benadik didn’t work out for the Mo’s given that they announced him originally with a picture of him getting smoked whilst playing for Edinburgh Capitals. This faux pas was only matched by Streatham who announced defenseman Dom Hopkins in the summer with a picture of him punching new team mate Michael Ranby square in the jaw during a fight the pair had last season.
Start the Kasabian track… now!
Oxford decided to promote their friendly game with Haringey Racers with a picture of a despondent London Raiders goalie surrounded by burning flames and one of their players celebrating a goal.
Dramatic indeed, and maybe a veiled threat towards a team that they had the odd heated game with last season. Upset Oxford and they set light to the crease, but not in a metaphorical sense.. they will follow up a goal by getting out a lighter and some petrol and putting you in a literal inferno.
On a lighter note, perhaps one of the surprises of the summer is that Partick Thistle managed to snap up their dream mascot suit before the Stars could bring old yellow home and get rid of current mascot, the traitorous Comet who incidentally allowed MK Lightning Coach Pete Russell to get inside him for a summer photo shoot.
Oxford did in fact light up Haringey but in a good way, as they won 10-0 in the pre-season challenge, that was also covered by the local radio station with full commentary.
Opportunity missed for the Stars
Josh Florey, Andrew Magee and Dax Hedges all scored two each with Mike Whillock, Shane Moore, Joe Edwards and Nick Oliver also on target with a goal each. Conor Ranby sealed a 31 shot shut out for the Stars, whilst Racers Captain Ali Band and Oxford’s Mike Whillock dropped the gloves towards the end of the second period.
Those lucky or unlucky enough (depending on your outlook) to start the league season early were the players of Solent Devils and Bracknell Hornets. The pair opened the season with a game on the South Coast with both icing new look squads.
The Devils came out victorious thanks to a 3-1 win courtesy of goals from Alex Murray, Richard Facey and Dominik Hegyi.
Hornets scorer was Danny Hughes.
Solent end the weekend in top spot in the league and next week we have a whole batch of fixtures to look forward to. If you enjoy reading the column please remember to share it on social media and spread the word about our league.
Results:
Sunday 6th September 2015
Solent Devils 3-1 Bracknell Hornets
Oxford City Stars 10-0 Haringey Racers (Challenge)
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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