LONDON, UK – After a two week break Pro Hockey News returns to cover all the action on and off the ice in the National Ice Hockey League South.
They keep on rolling… Chelmsford win again (Ian Snoding)
Well we say it was a break but in fact we did publish three NIHL related articles last week, including interviews with Invicta’s Arran Strawson, Solent’s Alex Murray and Streatham’s Joe Johnston.
There has been quite a lot going on since we last reviewed the league action with the most important developments actually taking place above our league. Ice Hockey UK, in conjunction with the EIHA and SIHA are devising plans for a new tier two of the league pyramid, and with Milton Keynes and Guildford stepping up to the Elite League this means that next season could be very interesting indeed for all of us.
So much could be said on this subject, not least why IHUK seem unwilling to take a top down approach to fixing British Ice Hockey, but given their meek submission in 2003 to the trio of ‘big’ clubs left after the Superleague crashed and burned, they certainly still lack any stomach for a fight over a decade on from that pivotal period in hockey history. Check out this interview with Rich Grieveson for some more background information on the latest proposals for the areas they do dare tread.
Rehak to pick up slack as Mo’s lose players (David Trevallion)
Back in the NIHL and Invicta were dealt a blow as promising youngster Haydn Wootton was ruled out for the rest of the season with injury. This added to the loss of star forward Ashley Jackson who swapped the Medway Riviera for Central India to take up a lucrative field hockey contract with the Ranchi Rays.
Long serving Streatham net minder Will Sanderson announced he was leaving the club after failing to gain a start under Coach Jeremy Cornish. The popular stopper was side-lined following the arrival of Matt Colclough between the pipes and opted not to see the season out as back up. This opened the door for under 18 goalie Brett Shepherd who trained with the team for the first time last week and was named in the squad for the weekend’s games.
London Raiders also saw a couple of departures as forwards Jacob Ranson and Bailey Chittock left the club, however Coach Alan Blyth added GB Junior international Callum Burnett to his blue line.
Between them, Streatham and London have been a jersey suppliers dream this season and an own and loan nightmare for fans!
Linesman Phil O’Neill’s infamous go-pro finally transmitted some footage to the masses with a fascinating birdseye view of Danny Hammond and JJ Pitchley going toe to toe centre ice. Not only did it show the fight in perfect quality but also highlighted the communications between the two officials as they sought to end the fight safely. Watch it HERE.
This sparked a debate as to whether this is really the best way to view a hockey fight, or the usual portrait iPhone versions complete with running commentary of fans screaming phrases like ‘knock him out you kaaaant’ and making those alien style noises foxes do, with a background ambience of general grunting.
Mr Manchester Darren Elliott?
Regular readers may remember the days when Elite League side Edinburgh Capitals would borrow NIHL players to play in their long distance road games due to a lack of players.
These games allowed guys like Oxford’s Andrew Cox to get his infamous assist against Cardiff Devils and Streatham’s Stefan Nubert to use his Capitals warm up pic for Social Media for a couple of years. In 2017 you can switch the Capitals for Manchester Phoenix.
The struggling Lancashire side invited a number of NIHL players to boost their squad for their English Premier League clash at Swindon Wildcats.
Some familiar names were Invicta trio Adam Mcnicoll, Bailey Wootton and Taylor Wootton plus Mr Oxford Darren Elliott. From NIHL 2 Bristol Pitbulls pair Giacomo Raffaelli and Grant Richardson also got the opportunity to play for the legendary Tony Hand.
Saturday action
With almost everyone in the league predicting a Chelmsford league title win, few would have been surprised to see another home win posted by the Essex side. This week’s victims were Solent Devils who were unceremoniously thumped 12-3 at the Riverside.
Hat tricks for Danny Hammond and Juraj Huska added to a brace each from Matt Turner and Grant Bartlett plus lone goals from Liam Chong and Anthony Leone.
Mark Baroni, Matt Lawday and Richard Facey scored for Solent.
Feeling a bit tight back there …
The only other talking point was the blossoming bromance between referee Tom Stephenson and lino Phil O’Neil, with the latter wearing a tribute jersey to the ref and also squeezing his behind during the game. NIHL fans are now eagerly awaiting the Go-Pro footage from the official’s locker room… with one rumoured video allegedly showing O’Neill repeatedly bellowing ‘I’m Tom Stephenson’ with the real Stephenson shouting back… ‘No I’m Tom Stephenson’.
In Bracknell, the Hornets import injury woes continued as new American signing Chris Leykam picked up a knock during their 3-1 loss against Streatham. Leykam had only just arrived to fill in for the injured Ondrej Pekarik, who in turn had replaced the injured Kamil Kinkor. Incidentally Kinkor skated for the first time coaching Streatham juniors last week following a horrific leg break before Christmas.
In the game at the Hive Streatham took the two points thanks to goals from Steven Fisher, Adam Wood and Dan Rose. Bracknell’s consolation came from Danny Hughes.
The NIHL guests playing for Manchester Phoenix in Swindon found themselves on the end of a 5-0 defeat, but all got ice time as Coach Tony Hand rolled three lines and even used some of the guys on the special teams. Veteran Darren Elliott was spotted on the powerplay weaving his magic at the Link Centre.
Sunday action
Invicta Dynamos left it late to kill off a London Raiders side with a 3-2 win in Gillingham. The Mo’s were still missing suspended skipper Callum Fowler and needed a late powerplay winner from Adam Rehak to seal the points. Steven Osman and Bailey Wootton were on target for the Mo’s other goals.
Marek Nahlik and JJ Pitchley scored for the Raiders, with the latter ejected in the closing stages for a hit from behind on Tommy Ralph.
In Streatham, the RedHawks left it even later to seal a 4-3 win over Bracknell Hornets as Callum Best scored a shorthanded goal just two minutes from time to make it a four point weekend for the Londoners.
George Norcliffe, Sean Scarbrough and Alex Sampford got Streatham’s other goals with Danny Hughes, Josh Martin and Jordan Gregory scoring for Bracknell.
Best returns and the fans love it at Streatham !
The result means Bracknell are now without a win in their last six games, whilst Streatham climb to third place in the league.
The 482 days media team were in attendance and demolished a cheese and ham croissant in the downstairs café pre-game. Staff were reportedly left shocked at not only the speed of consumption but also the pastry debris strewn over the floor afterwards. The mess was so bad, the swimming pool was reportedly closed as the crumbs had drifted into the water and were choking toddlers learning breaststroke inside.
The final game of the evening took place in Milton Keynes where Chelmsford extended the gap at the top of the table to nine points with a 3-1 road win.
Sean Easton’s men have a consistency no one else seems to be able to match and took the points thanks to goals from Danny Hammond, Juraj Huska and Ollie Baldock.
Our media friends at 482 days have apparently worked out that Chelmsford now only need to win half of their remaining nine league fixtures to win the league. What a shame the bookies don’t take bets on NIHL South we hear you all say, because that is a dead cert.
Results
Saturday 21 January 2017
Chelmsford Chieftains 12-3 Solent Devils
Bracknell Hornets 1-3 Streatham IHC
Sunday 22 January 2017
Invicta Dynamos 3-2 London Raiders
Streatham IHC 4-3 Bracknell Hornets
MK Thunder 1-3 Chelmsford Chieftains
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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