LONDON, UK – So after a long summer of speculation, signings and sun – well for some of us, NIHL hockey returned with a bang this week with the explosive mix of goals, fights and controversy.
Before Christmas was cancelled (Steve Sutherland)
The week started with not one, not two but three NIHL South previews published by Pro Hockey News, British Ice Hockey and 482 Days.
Soon there will be a press box at every rink in NIHL South, with a bacon sandwich and cup of tea provided as standard, or maybe not.
Early in the week no one was even thinking about hockey as Vanilla Ice announced he would be appearing on the ice at Alexandra Palace.
Band, Mercer, Richards, Dodds… Vanilla!
Anyone who thought that Haringey Racers had managed to snap up the rapper (real name Robert Matthew Van Winkle) to play on defence alongside Alastair ‘The Beard’ Band was left disappointed when it was confirmed he actually has a gig at the Palace in December.
Oxford City Stars revealed their away jerseys to great acclaim on social media with ladies favourite Dom Hopkins taking centre stage in a photoshoot.
Not content with a jersey launch, Oxford also announced a new DJ in Ollie East and released a video entitled ‘Winter is Coming’ which evoked memories of the snow machines in the roof at Oxpens road that used to release fake snow to the ice after a Stars victory (no seriously). You can watch the video HERE.
Some cool images of the new Romford Leisure Centre emerged online during the week with the structure now taking shape. You can see the images by clicking HERE
Invicta Dynamos already appear to be in good spirits this year and they had lots of media exposure with a feature on Meridian TV and an interview with new Captain Callum Fowler.
Swivel.. swivel.. Fowler moves well
After a lovely piano intro, Fowler had an air of Alan Sugar about him swivelling around on a leather chair and batting back the questions from Kent Sports News. In fact Fowler was swaying so much during the interview it was a wonder the chair didn’t need a good lube afterwards. You can watch the full interview HERE
Footage from Streatham versus London North Stars appeared on YouTube from last weekend. The Charity challenge game raised thousands for Breast Cancer Care and highlights of the video include a neutral zone scissor kick attempt from Alan Armour and a bundle of a retiring Northerner that can be viewed HERE
By the time the weekend came round, everybody was looking forward to the new season. Some even likened it to waiting for Christmas on Social Media.
Saturday action review
All eyes were on the Riverside as the new look Chelmsford Chieftains hosted Invicta Dynamos in the NIHL South Cup.
Mo’s goalie Damien King showed how big a player he will be for Kevin Parrish as he kept a 33 shot shut out to earn his side a 2-0 win. Invicta scorers were Callum Fowler and Haydn Wootton.
Unfortunately the match was marred by violence from a number of Chieftains (later alleging a spear as provocation for a Royal Rumble) to set the season off on a controversial and ultimately disappointing start. It was like Christmas had been ruined by burglars stealing the presents from under the tree then curling off a massive turd underneath it for good measure.
The gamesheet still hadn’t been published at the time of writing which tells you everything you need to know. Referee Jurijs Solovjovs probably has a blister writing it all down.
Needless to say that the video circulating of some of the incident and the main culprits is available to view HERE
We all wait to see what the EIHA and indeed Chelmsford Coach Sean Easton decide to do about it all .
Steamy windows at Bracknell (Key Slyfield)
Back to the hockey and MK Thunder secured their first points in the BBO Cup with a 3-0 win in Bracknell. What is the BBO Cup we hear you say? Bad Body Odour? Big Bunce Opportunity?
Whatever it stands for it is a round robin cup for Oxford, Bracknell and MK to contest as they aren’t in the NIHL Cup. Confused? We don’t blame you.
Jakub Klima scored two goals on his debut for the Thunder with Jamie Line getting the other.
David Wride secured a 30 shot shut out against his old club in a game played in a mist not dissimilar to a scene on Robin Hood Prince of Thieves where Kevin Costner rides through the English countryside on his return from the Crusades (for readers old enough to remember).
Had the crowd been vaping? Had the players been vaping? Or was it a smoke machine that malfunctioned – another Christmas ruined!
Sunday action review
Game of the day was at Oxford City Stars as they hosted Wightlink Raiders in front of a bumper crowd at Oxpens Road.
Those attending were treated to a classic game as the Raiders snatched the points with a 4-3 road win in Coach Jeremy Cornish’s first game behind the bench.
Wightlink goals came from Ryan Webb, Ben Paynter, Jordan Gregory and Brendan Baird.
Oxford, who were missing last season’s top scorer Alan Green for the game, scored through Ondrej Pekarik, Joe Edwards and Dax Hedges with the latter also dropping the gloves with Corey Watkins.
It was an impressive opening display by the Raiders who will be pleased to get two points from a tricky road game.
Colclough earns the points for Wightlink (Paul Foster)
Milton Keynes Thunder stunned Chelmsford Chieftains holding them to a 4-4 tie at the Thunderdome.
Chelmsford iced again without star sniper Juraj Huska and thought they had won it in the third period as Grant Bartlett put them 4-3 up, but veteran blue liner Simon Howard stepped up to blaze in an equaliser a few seconds later.
MK’s other goals came from Ross Bowers, Tom Mboya and Cameron Wynn. For Chelmsford their other goals came from Andrius Kaminskas, Ollie Baldock and the highly rated Jake Sylvester.
Invicta completed a four point week in slightly less controversial fashion with an 11-0 win over Bracknell Hornets.
Coach Kev Parrish enjoyed the perfect birthday present thanks to a brace each from Adam Rehak, Conor Redmond and Nicky Lewis. There were solo goals for Haydn Wootton, Bailey Wootton, Mason Webster, Arran Strawson and Callum Fowler.
Damien King enjoyed his second shut-out of the weekend turning away 21 shots.
So all in all it was nice to have hockey back, but a real kick in the teeth for the reputation of the league.
Results
Saturday 10 September 2016
Chelmsford Chieftains 0-2 Invicta Dynamos (NIHL Cup)
Bracknell Hornets 0-3 MK Thunder (BBO Cup)
Sunday 11 September 2016
Invicta Dynamos 11-0 Bracknell Hornets
Oxford City Stars 3-4 Wightlink Raiders
MK Thunder 4-4 Chelmsford Chieftains
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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