LONDON, UK – Only Oxford and Cardiff got the weekend off as the Play-Offs finally began. Eight teams all fancying their chances of success for possibly the first time in NIHL history, meant the weekend was eagerly anticipated.
In contrast there were around 100 wives, girlfriends, casual lady friends and possibly boyfriends just waiting for their partner’s team to be eliminated so they could enjoy their weekends together for the rest of the summer. Read on to find out how the weekend went.
Invicta Dynamos v Solent Devils
Fowler the difference (David Trevallion)
Invicta travelled to the south coast without star forward Callum Fowler and looked to be heading to a first leg defeat until Andy Smith popped up with an equaliser with just three minutes remaining.
A brace from Andrew Magee and a goal from Alex Sampford had put the Devils in the driving seat, with Billy Phillips and Adam Mcnicoll scoring for the Mo’s.
The second leg in Kent turned into a shootout as Invicta edged out the visitors 8-7.
Fowler returned to the line-up and showed just how invaluable he is to the Mo’s with a hat trick. Billy Phillips scored two and Juraj Huska, Anthony Leone and Andy Smith all chipped in with one each.
Solent scorers were Drew Campbell with a hat trick, George Norcliffe scored two and both Andrew Magee and Alex Sampford got one each.
A valiant effort by the Devils, but their season ends early and Invicta look forward to another semi-final.
Chelmsford Chieftains v London Raiders
Brown flying high (Steve Sutherland)
Of all the games this one seemed to have most potential for an upset with the resurgent Raiders looking to put one over the stuttering Chieftains.
Chelmsford travelled to Lee Valley knowing that they would have to turn up ready and they skated off with a 6-3 win despite being 2-1 down at one stage.
Darren Brown scored two goals for the Chieftains with Danny Hammond, Martin Piecha, Lukas Zatopek and Ryan Giles also on target.
For London it was Liam Chong, Ricky Deacon and according to the official gamesheet, back-up goalie George Alley with a goal each.
The stats don’t lie George so lap it up.
The second leg was always going to be tough for the Raiders but they battled on, before going down 4-2 on the night thanks to a brace from Danny Hammond and one goal each for Ross Brears and Matt Turner.
Phil Manny and Alan Lack scored for the Raiders who now get their speedos out for the summer.
Bracknell Hornets v Wightlink Raiders
Cesky stings Hornets (Kev Slyfield)
Wightlink fans must be going through a rollercoaster of emotions lately, but they saw their team win the first leg of their play-off against Bracknell 5-3 on the island.
Jaroslav Cesky is a player they need to come up big and he did so with a hat trick to add to goals from Jeremy Cornish and Owen Griffiths. Bracknell’s goals came from JJ Pitchley, Josh Smith and Carl Thompson.
The second leg saw Wightlink progress to the semi-finals thanks to a 6-2 win at the Hive. Craig Tribe scored a hat trick against his former club for the Raiders, to add to a brace from Owen Griffiths and a lone goal from Jeremy Cornish.
Bracknell goals came from Josh Martin and Josh Smith.
The game also saw the final game before retirement for long serving Hornet Tony Barclay. Pro Hockey News wishes him all the best for his future away from the ice.
Streatham Redskins v Milton Keynes Thunder
King on form (Rick Webb)
Streatham went into the play-offs as one of the form teams but were undone by an MK side also high in confidence.
Streatham gave away a two goal lead in the first leg in London, as Callum Best’s brace was cancelled out by goals from Jamie Line and Mathias Rugholm.
The score line of 2-2 going into the second leg in Milton Keynes left everything to be played for and the Thunder came out in the second leg with intensity and desire.
Streatham may bemoan some suspect officiating but the 7-2 score line paid tribute to the Thunder’s workrate over the 60 minutes.
Jamie Line and Piotr Poziomkowski scored a brace each for MK, with Mathias Rugholm, Jamie Randall and Martyn Snape also on target. Streatham’s goals came from Evander Grinnell and Jakub Klima.
Frustrations finally boiled over at the start of the third after Rugholm’s goal when the Dane got a little too excited with his celebration in front of the Streatham bench and a bench clearance occurred.
Before we end the round-up we have a special request from Alex Barrow of Milton Keynes.
Last year I ran a 24 hour game in aid of the Kris Ledgard Foundation; Kris was a former Milton Keynes junior who passed away aged just 22 due to an undetected heart abnormality. Through this event we raised £15,693 making it very successful, and alongside MKICE showing the huge community spirit the Milton Keynes ice hockey has!
The money raised last year will be used this year to provide free heart screening for ice hockey players. This screening will take place alongside a tournament I am holding on the 1st and 2nd August.
Most people will have unfortunately come across such tragedy and therefore anyone and everyone is welcome to play in the tournament and be screened! I am hoping to put an ENL team together to play against the likes of MK Thunder and hopefully a Lightning team also.
If anybody is interested they can email me at KLFtournament@gmail.com or get hold of me through Facebook.
Saturday 4th April 2015
London Raiders 3-6 Chelmsford Chieftains
Streatham Redskins 2-2 MK Thunder
Solent Devils 3-3 Invicta Dynamos
Wightlink Raiders 5-3 Bracknell Hornets
Sunday 5th April 2015
Invicta Dynamos 8-7 Solent Devils (Invicta progress)
MK Thunder 7-2 Streatham Redskins (MK progress)
Chelmsford Chieftains 4-2 London Raiders (Chelmsford progress)
Bracknell Hornets 2-6 Wightlink Raiders (Wightlink progress)
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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