The Stars come out

OXFORD, UK – With bright sunshine pouring into the rink through the large glass windows synonymous with Oxpens Road, an unfamiliar scene was unfolding in the bar area. Past and present Oxford City Stars players mingled with long standing supporters for a special event that will be etched in the team’s history.

 
An hour or so later the players were kitted and warming up in front of a rapidly increasing number of fans who had come to watch old and new favorites’ compete in the inaugural Norman Elliott Memorial game.
 
After a warm up enveloped in melancholic music and the unveiling of a 10ft banner in tribute to the former rink manager, the two sides devised for the game, namely Team Elliott and Team Norm departed, only to return to a techno beat and strobe lighting show.
 
Last to enter the ice were the Elliott brothers Phil and Darren, who skated on to rapturous applause and cheering from the crowd. Dropping the puck was Pat Ward, the veteran referee, who along with linesman Kevin Biggs had agreed to officiate for free, so that maximum revenue could be sent to the British Heart Foundation and other related charities. Not only had the referee’s donated their time for free, but Oxford City Council and Fusion donated the ice time free of charge as well in a great gesture to the event.
 
Maybe it was the livewire strobes that set the tone for the game, as Team Elliott (mostly current Stars with a few old boys) came out of the blocks hard courtesy of the quick skating Dax Hedges and Josh Oliver who immediately caused Team Norm considerable issues.
 
Team Norm on the other hand, had a more relaxed approach with a roster consisting mainly of ex Stars either playing for other clubs or long retired. Clearly sensing that a reasonable level of effort would be required to maintain a bit of self respect in the game, Team Norm seemingly entered a time capsule and emerged as if time had stood still for a decade or so.
 
Suddenly Dan Prachar and Scott Gough clicked up front with the youthful Joe Edwards and Oxpens Road was soon rocking as Prachar fed Gough and the Scotsman’s classic toe drag gave him space to smash the puck into the top corner past his old pal and returning Stars goalie John Matassa. The teams traded goals but nothing received anywhere near the same noise as Eastenders’ Star Marlon Williams who nearly brought the house down, with a stunning pirouette and body slam into the boards as his skate blade snapped mid stride.
 
The second period saw Team Elliott trailing 5-2 before youth and exuberance kicked in and they finally mounted a comeback. Alan Green had heard a rumour his new Chelmsford coach Gary Clarke was watching in the crowd and suddenly started surging coast to coast in search of goals, the recently retired Grant ‘Ace’ Bailey showed hints of why he was once the ultimate power forward and at the back, Richard Wojciack delighted the crowd with his trademark one handed stick spin-o-rama that EA Sports trademarked a number of years ago for use on various NHL console games.
 
Team Norm’s cause in defense was not helped by their star defenseman Richie Hargreaves whose tactic of throwing his glove at opposition players whenever they skated down on him was not reaping any rewards, neither was the tiredness of veterans Gough and Prachar whose legendary lack of back checking (even when shorthanded) was made all the more worse by their double shifting as they got a taste for the game. By the end of the period, the comeback was complete and Team Elliott had a 6-5 lead.
 
The third period saw the Old Stars on Team Elliott come to the forefront as defensive stalwarts Trevor Joseph and Jason Lester began to find their feet and their smiles at the same time. These were soon wiped off however as another Stars old boy, Darryl Morvan coasted through to score for Team Norm prompting a grin as wide as a flooded Port Meadow.
 
Team Elliott, clearly under orders from Coach Ken Forshee to destroy the uprising, upped the tempo and grabbed a few late goals; however it was the goal from Phil Elliott, donning the kit in his first ever senior hockey game that captured the imagination of the crowd and players alike.
 
The last minute of the game saw both teams enter the ice with multiple pucks for a 20 on 20 game, before Williams and Mike Lucas dropped the gloves for a mid ice wrestle to the delight of the crowd.
 
The crowd were on their feet at the end as both sides were presented with awards by the Elliott family, followed by an emotional speech by Captain Darren, who took over the microphone from Stars manager Gary Dent, to thank everyone for attending and subsequently have everyone clutching for tissues.
 
Both teams retired to the locker rooms to reflect on a game that had brought together some of the best and notable players to wear a Stars jersey since the team’s formation in 1984. Morvan was on the phone to Powerplay to let them know about his goal, Matassa retired outside for well earned fag, Hargreaves showed off his Bristol Pitbulls branded flip-flops, Joseph looked as fresh as twenty years ago, the MK boys got ‘broke backed’ up and prepared for an evening out on the town, not before Andy Cox whipped out a hairdryer and began grooming himself.
 
The fact that the rink bar (albeit serving only soft drinks and food) was open for the first time in years only highlighted the significance of this event. After the game the room saw a level of activity sadly not seen for a long time and the atmosphere turned electric as it was announced that Hot Dogs were now free of charge. This saw Gough make his second move of the night as he toe dragged over to snare a freebie before anyone else had even blinked.
 
The most important news of the night however was that over £2000 had been raised for charity which is an incredible feat.
 
Light Hearted Player report
 
Team Elliott:
 
Darren Elliott – Busy performance from Mr Oxford who grabbed a well deserved goal.
 
Phil Elliott – Grabbed a late goal and earned man of the match. School boy error to leave his glasses on when collecting said award.
 
Trevor Joseph – Stars legend with a smile that lights up the rink. Left his birds of prey at home for the evening.
 
Alan Green – Ramping up his game ahead of his move to Essex. Hat trick for the man formerly known as Steamy.
 
Jason Lester – Another old Stars player, who found his feet and was keeping the forwards at bay like old times.
 
Patrick Durcan – Kept Dave Carr company as the only other person with a red helmet on the ice.
 
Andy Cox – Did we mention he brings a hair dryer to games?
 
Josh Oliver – Too much Red Bull before the game.
 
Jacob Smith – Is that a regulation visor? Probably not but Jacob is looking sharp ahead of his ENL 1 return.
 
Mike Lucas – Two goals for the big man and a wrestle at centre ice. Great stuff.
 
Dax Hedges – See Joe Oliver
 
Grant Bailey – Power forward returns, surely too young to retire?
 
Lee Featherstone – No leather cap this time for the new City Stars defenseman, has moved on fashion wise.
 
Gareth Endicott – Casual performance until Coach Forshee demanded an improvement in the third.
 
Paul Donohoe – Donny missed out on a goal and the chance of his infamous rifle celebration.
 
Wayne Fiddes – Moved up front in the second on Forshee’s power line, looked lively and spritely.
 
Ken Forshee – Led the troops to a convincing victory despite an early scare.
 
Paul Gore – No poke checks this game from Paul Gore.
 
James Clarke – Bustling performance from the former Telford and MK man.
 
Richard Wojciack – No dirty stuff from ENL’s most hated player 2008/09.
 
John Matassa – Popular old school Stars goalie who will be devastated at Gough’s snipe.
 
James Skaife – Rumoured to have made the charity £20 richer by being in goal when Morvan scored.
 
Ricky Young – Stars ENL 2 looked solid and kept Team Norm at bay, especially Edwards and Hendry.
 
Team Norm
 
Joe Edwards – Top scorer showing his form ahead of his move to Milton Keynes.
 
Scott Gough – Toe drag, top shelf, free hot dog. Great night for Gough.
 
Richie Hargreaves – Utility man who grabbed a goal to balance his defensive horror show.
 
Darryl Morvan – Stealth goal but looked in need of an ice bath after game.
 
David Carr – Celebration of the night ahead of Cox’s rowing move.
 
Joe Oliver – Great individual goal to rival his brother.
 
Mark Krater – Rolled back the years but still sporting the best tan in the south of England.
 
Fraser Hendry – New Stars signing from Peterborough looked smooth in his new home.
 
Dale White – Solid on the blue alongside the glove throwing Hargreaves. He needed to be.
 
Mike Hargreaves – Rushing performance on defense, unlucky not to score.
 
Nick Eden – Stars sexiest player in 2004 may have a few wrinkles but still popular with the ladies.
 
Chris West – Not seen for years since his Bracknell days. Lasted the whole game without starting a riot.
 
Dean Francis – Fans favourite back on the ice and looking relatively sharp. Hopefully not the last time on ice.
 
Dan Prachar – Unable to bring out the famous somersault celebration that the crowd were waiting for.
 
Josh Florey – Back at Oxford from Wightlink and looking ready for the new season.
 
Marlon Williams – Took time out from Eastenders, 50 Cent videos and Dance Yourself Fit to lace them up.
 
Andrew Shurmer – The big man laid the biggest hit of the night on an unsuspecting victim.
 
Mike Whillock – Warming up before saying Auf Weidersehn and heading off to play in Germany.
 
Will Skaife – The quiet man at the back was his usual composed quiet self.
 
Kevin McGurk – Made a classic save in the first but faced a barrage in the third.
 
Tim Freeland – Like McGurk pulled off a few great saves but his helmet fell apart at one point.    
 
Final score – Team Elliott 14 Team Norm 9
 
Scoring:-
 
Elliott: Darren Elliott 1+4, Phil Elliott 1+4, Josh Oliver 2+2, Alan Green 3+0, Mike Lucas 2+1, Andy Cox 1+2, Dax Hedges 1+1, Jacob Smith 0+2, James Clarke 0+2, Grant Bailey 1+0, Lee Featherstone 1+0, Gareth Endicott 1+0, Paul Gore 0+1, Paul Donohoe 0+1, Ken Forshee 0+1. Also iced – Trevor Joseph, Richard Wojciak, Jason Lester, Wayne Fiddes, Patrick Durcan.
 
Norman: Joe Edwards 2+3, Scott Gough 1+2, Richie Hargreaves 1+1, Darryl Morvan 1+1, Dave Carr 1+1, Joe Oliver 1+1, Josh Florey 1+0, Mark Krater 1+0, Dale White 0+1. Also iced – Nick Eden, Dan Prachar, Mike Whillock, Marlon Williams, Dean Francis, Chris West, Andrew Shurmer, Mike Hargreaves, Will Skaife, Fraser Hendry.
 
Netminding:-
 
Team Elliott: John Matassa faced 19 shots, Ricky Young faced 13 shots, James Skaife faced 10 shots.
 
Team Norman: Kevin McGurk faced 33 shots, Tim Freeland faced 29 shots.
 
Penalties: Scott Gough 2 mins for being dirty
 
Officials: Pat Ward and Kevin Biggs.
All photos by Pete Magnuson: www.petemagnusonphotography.com
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com