LONDON, UK – It was another busy week of NIHL as Burger King was shuffled into position of ‘second favourite’ King in Gillingham and two former NIHL favourites became possible returnees to the league.
Streatham all smiles as Wride shuts out 68 shots (Rick Webb)
Ryde Arena has been the church of hockey followers for many years on the Isle of Wight and as such appealed for funds to help fix the roof during the week.
The not for profit arena could really do with your support so find out how you can donate HERE
After the departure of Mark Mcgill, Invicta Dynamos went straight to the top and signed Pro Hockey News All-Star of last season Damien King from MK Thunder.
“We’re very pleased Damien has agreed to join us at the Dynamos” said Coach Kevin Parrish.
“He’s an excellent shot stopper with a very strong background and he will undoubtedly prove a great addition between the posts. At 24 Damien already has over 200 starts in the EPL and last season was voted as the best netminder in the division by all those that were trying to get past him”.
“Receiving that accolade from his peers is a true testament of his ability and I look forward to working with him when he joins up with us at the end of the month”.
King of Kent (Claire Stanton)
King is scheduled to make his debut next Saturday in the game against Cardiff NIHL Devils.
Few at the Thunder will begrudge King his move to the Mo’s and given his new commute, Parrish may have other options to sign prospective car sharers.
The Thunder responded to the news in typical classy fashion with a statement not short of emotion.
“Thunder are devastated to announce that netminder Damien King has left us to join Invicta Dynamos. The news came as a shock to the team when he told us, but we all wish Damo well with his new challenge in Kent.”
“When Damo signed for Thunder at the start of last season, we could not believe our luck. He is a top netminder and proved it week in week out during the season giving the team confidence and enabling them to have the best season ever in Thunder history.”
“His commitment has never been in doubt, we hope Dynamos and the fans there appreciate the quality they’ve managed to obtain.”
“For Thunder the news was a real knock back so early in the season, and we have had to move quickly to find a replacement. We have now signed a new netminder of real quality and an announcement will be made when the paperwork has been concluded.”
Wightlink Raiders TV posted highlights of their game against Solent Devils complete with the best soundtrack in hockey.
Murray and Watkins on TV (Nicky Craft)
The footage will not make comfortable viewing for the Devils fans nor forward Mitchell Murray, who appeared to be Raiders least favourite person since the owner of Planet Ice threatened to close their rink at short notice. You can view the highlights by clicking HERE
London Raiders were rocked by a big blow as the Supporters Club Halloween party was cancelled. The returns section of Ikea in Lakeside was reported to be swamped with unhappy Raiders fans and players returning white sheets as a result.
One player who was happy though was youngster TJ Fillery who spoke to the Romford Recorder about his first goal of the season that came against Invicta Dynamos.
“I am glad I finally got on the goal sheet and hope to have plenty more hit the back of the net this season with the ice time I am getting now.”
“As the new campaign began, I have seen a lot more ice this year and feel I have improved a lot because of the time I am getting. I think with every game I play, I am feeling more confident and ready to rumble.”
As a result of this quote, Fillery becomes the first player to use a line of the cheesy Geordie pair Ant and Dec in the NIHL, and thus is added as an early contender for quote of the year.
There were more quotes related to the NIHL on none other than this very website with two articles we are sure you have already read, but if not we are poking you like a desperado on Facebook.
Talking about hockey, James Schall right, with Andrew Self centre
SEGA director James Schall spoke to us at length about his partnerships with Oxford and Whitley Bay and much more HERE, and Invicta Dynamos Jacob Ranson told us all about swearing in Swedish and his time in Kent HERE.
Hot on the heels of the announcement that Oxford Ice Rink would be getting new netting, there was more good news as the rink picked up a new Zamboni.
Former Oxford Stars American legend and now rink manager Dan Prachar celebrated by allegedly doing donuts behind closed doors in a full NASCAR suit.
Streatham’s Adam Wood has enjoyed a good start to the season and gave a full page interview with the South London Press during the week.
The former Cardiff player has cemented a place on the first line alongside Kamil Kinkor and Joe Allen in recent weeks and told the paper how much he was enjoying London life.
“After this weekend it definitely looks like it is working – 6 goals between the 3 of us is not bad.”
Happy Wood (Rick Webb)
“I played with Joey Allen last year and loved it, even if it looks like a little and large comedy sketch out there. Also with Kamil on our line we have a guy there who has the ability to put the puck in the net at will. I think the main thing is the amount of energy we have on that line.
“The first year went so fast. I love it here though. My favourite thing about it is probably the really reasonable prices in London ha ha! Really though it is the fact that there is always something to do and I have a great team/family here in Streatham.”
The week closed with the news that one of last season’s top ten scorers in the league was available again after JJ Pitchley was released by Basingstoke Bison. The rumour mill was also ramped up as Guildford Flames signed Andy Melachrino thus putting Callum Best’s future at the club in doubt.
It is likely that a fair number of NIHL teams will be giving both a big nudge over the coming days so by the time you read this they may already be signed up ready for some action down in this league.
Saturday’s Hockey
Oxford City Stars have been showing signs of improvement recently but fell short in their trip to Chelmsford Chieftains.
Chelmsford were up by four goals in the first period which is a common theme, likely due not only to their talent but also the new ice markings that make it a very different prospect for teams not used to the ultra-wide end zones.
6-1 was the final score with James Ayling getting a brace and Jake Sylvester, Matt Turner, Lukas Zatopek and Darren Brown on target with one each.
Ayling pounces for Chelmo (Paul Foster)
Joe Edwards got the lone goal for the Stars, who committed a faux pas when they allowed their new import to wear the number 11 jersey.
The jersey is retired in memory of former Stars player Paul Linton, and Stars Coach Simon Anderson offered his apologies immediately afterwards on social media and promised it would be replaced.
London Raiders were in need of a win and it came with a 7-1 thumping of Bracknell Hornets at Lee Valley.
Youngster Rio Grinnell-Parke continues to impress as he notched a brace as did Marek Nahlik, with London’s other goals coming from Liam Chong, Michal Oravec and Mason Webster.
2 on 0 as Chelmo attack (Ice Cold Photography)
Tomas Fojtik was on target for the Hornets who came up against a solid display from Raiders goalie Michael Gray who ended the game with a 97.6% save average.
Gray was not the only goalie in form as Chico Cole of Solent Devils backstopped his team to an impressive 3-2 road win in Cardiff.
A brace from Richard Facey and a lone goal from Mason Wild were enough to see of a late Cardiff comeback, where the home side scored two goals in the final minute of the game.
Giacomo Raffaelli and Zak Shanahan were the goalscorers for the Devils.
Completing a great night for goaltenders was Streatham’s David Wride who earned his first shut-out for the Londoners with an impressive display in a 2-0 win over Wightlink Raiders.
Two goals in the first period from Jack Tarczycki and Kamil Kinkor were enough to give Streatham to two cup points, with the Raiders left frustrated at Wride’s heroics down at the other end.
Sunday Hockey
Wightlink’s weekend ended in similar feelings to the night before as they lost 2-1 to Bracknell Hornets at the Hive.
The struggling Hornets took advantage of a penalty hit Raiders side to record a much welcome victory that takes them above MK Thunder and Cardiff NIHL Devils in the table.
Fojtik keeps Wightlink at bay (Kev Slyfield)
Danny Hughes and the returning Ryan Handisides were on target for Bracknell with Ryan Webb the Wightlink scorer against his old club.
Streatham’s David Wride was a happy man as he kept his second shut-out of the weekend against his old club Invicta Dynamos down in Kent.
Streatham won the game 5-0 thanks to two goals from Steven Fisher and one each for Kamil Kinkor, Joe Johnston and Adam Wood.
Chris Wiggins endeared himself to the home crowd by dropping the gloves with Arran Strawson and then Eriks Ozollapa before getting ejected by Blaine Evans for a second misconduct, caused by ironic waving at the furious home support – the first was for a clumsy hit on the boards prior to his fight with Ozollapa.
A four point double shut out weekend against Wightlink and Invicta makes for happy if quite surreal reading for Redskins fans.
Oxford City Stars put the disappointment of the previous night behind them with a confidence boosting 4-1 win at home to Cardiff.
Oxford moved up to fourth place in the league thanks to goals from Boris Ruzicka, Alan Green, Darren Elliott and Steven Osman. Cardiff’s goal came courtesy of Sam Bryant with his first ever NIHL 1 goal.
There was a late battle as Shane Moore and Giacomo Raffaeli tangled two seconds from the final buzzer.
Coach Simon Anderson stayed true to his word and Ondrej Pekarik wore jersey number 91 instead of 11 which was a solid gesture towards the Stars history.
Redskins on ice (Rick Webb)
Chelmsford made it seven wins out of seven in the league with a 5-1 road win at Solent Devils.
The Essex side moved into second place in the league thanks to goals from Grant Bartlett, Ross Brears, Lukas Zatopek, Matt Turner and Danny Hammond.
George Norcliffe continued his good form with another goal for the Devils.
So the league is starting to shape up with Streatham top of the pile and Chelmsford breathing hard down their necks. At the bottom Bracknell will enjoy their Monday morning after pulling up to 8th, while Cardiff sit at the foot of the table and have a tough trip to Invicta next weekend to look forward to.
Results
Saturday 24 October 2015
London Raiders 7-1 Bracknell Hornets
Chelmsford Chieftains 6-1 Oxford City Stars
Cardiff Devils 2-3 Solent Devils
Streatham Redskins 2-0 Wightlink Raiders (Cup)
Sunday 25 October 2015
Invicta Dynamos 0-5 Streatham Redskins
Wightlink Raiders 1-2 Bracknell Hornets
Oxford City Stars 4-1 Cardiff Devils
Solent Devils 1-5 Chelmsford Chieftains
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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