Big Night of Wins and Upsets in the EIHL and EPL (UK Round Up 25th February)

It was a big night in the title races as wins, upsets and almost caused a shake up in the league titles of both the EIHL and EPL.

Sheffield Steelers 1 Braehead Clan 2

It was a Friday night start for the weekends EIHL fixtures as the Steelers played another of their games in hand in Braehead. It was all going to plan when Colt King put the Steelers ahead at he end of the first period but Adam Walker tied the game after the first intermission. It was a tight game thereafter but it was Drew Bannister that broke the deadlock and the spoils for the home side.

Saturday 25^th February

Braehead Clan 5 Edinburgh Capitals 4 (APS)

Hot on the heels of their win over Sheffield the Clan headed to Murrayfield for their second of 3 games this weekend.

It was a first period full of action with the Capitals taking a 2-goal lead before the Clan equalised and fell behind by a 2-goals again by the mid point in the middle period. But the Clan weren’t done as they equalised through Wirill and Campbell.

No winner could be found in the extra period but Galbraith and Krestanovich hit the winners in the shootout.

Belfast Giants 8 Hull Stingrays 0

With the Steelers loss the night before the Giants knew this was their chance to take full control of the title race.

After a slow start the Giants got into their strand without a let up. A brace from Dowd and Mason was backed up by goals from Pelle, Peacock and Keefe in a game where nothing went the Stingrays who including mussing a penalty shot.

Sheffield Steelers 5 Fife Flyers 3

The Steelers knew that they couldn’t afford to slip up again but the Kirkcaldy ice rink has not been the kindest on the Steelers. The second period was that slip up for the Steelers as they found themselves goal behind by the end of it.

Hard work and a bit of luck in the third period were just what the Steelers needed and what they got. Firstly De Caro saved a penalty shot before Fulgham and King gave the Steelers the lead. Fife then thought they had saved the game through Todd Dutiaume only for Mick Hicks to rule it out.

A frantic last few minutes from the Flyers did not produce the equaliser but a Steelers insurance marker through Jeff Legue

That win leaves the Steelers and Giants head to head in the title race.

Cardiff Devils 3 Nottingham Panthers 6

It was a run and gun game in Nottingham as both sides racked up the chances. But it was Nottingham took theirs. The Panthers out scored the Devils in each period with a brace from GB international David Clarke.

English Premier League

The Guildford Flames showed the rest of the EPL why they are in the hot seat for the title as they brushed aside their cup final rivals the Sheffield Steelers. Manchester however did keep up the pressure on the Flames with a win in Bracknell. But it is now looking like a two horse race as the Jets went down 4 – 0 to the up and down Milton Keynes Lightning.

Peterborough’s win in Basingstoke was a big step towards their playoff push as Swindon’s at home to Telford also boosts their chances of making the end of season party.

Results

Friday 24^th February

EIHL

Sheffield Steelers 1 Braehead Clan 2

Saturday 25^th February

EIHL

Sheffield Steelers 5 Fife Flyers 3

Cardiff Devils 3 Nottingham Panthers 6

Belfast Giants 8 Hull Stingrays 0

Braehead Clan 5 Edinburgh Capitals 4 (APS)

EPL

Telford Tigers 2 Swindon Wildcats 7

Manchester Phoenix 5 Bracknell Bees 3

Sheffield Steeldogs 1 Guildford Flames 4

Peterborough Phantoms 8 Basingstoke Bison 5

Slough Jets 0 Milton Keynes Lightning 4

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

EPL and EIHL Action (UK Round Up 18th February)

Elite League

Sheffield Steelers 1 Nottingham Panthers 5

The Steelers and the Panthers met for the second time in a week. The Steelers had won the Valentines clash in Sheffield before heading to Dundee to scrap a victory.  The Panthers however were fresh and out for revenge.

However it was the Steelers who took the lead first through Jonathan Phillips but that proved to be the kick that the Panthers needed and scored 5 goals without reply. The Steelers looked to have run out of gas as they entered the third period.

The Steelers now have 4 games in hand over the Giants and 7 points to make up.

Fife Flyers 1 Belfast Giants 7

Meanwhile in Belfast the Giants were looking for their second win of the weekend after beating the Hull Stingrays on Friday. The Giants knew that nothing but a win would be needed to keep the pressure up and maintain their advantage at the top of the EIHL.

The Flyers always knew this would be a difficult tie but set about their task in well-disciplined fashion but the Giants were clinical. 3 first period goals were followed by a forth in the second from Craig Peacock.

There was no let up in the third period as the Giants continued their ruthless display. But a penalty shot from Stephen Gunn meant the Flyers head back to Kirkcaldy with a consolation goal.

The game was marred by an incident between Dan Ceman and Adam Keefe after the hand shakes.

Dundee Stars 6 Edinburgh Capitals 3

In the Murrayfield Ice Rink there was a east of Scotland derby with the Stars chasing the Capitals for the last playoff spot.

With both teams needing the points it was the Stars that stole a march in the second thanks to 2 goals in a minute at the start of the period. Dundee continued that momentum in the third to move within 3 points off of the Edinburgh Capitals and eighth place in the table.

Coventry Blaze 4 Braehead Clan 5

On the other side of Scotland the Clan were in action against the Blaze looking to move closer to the top four.

In form Jade Galbraith gave the Clan a first period two goal lead before the Blaze fought back to tie the game. However the Clan regained their 2-goal lead before the end of the second.

A very late Robert Farmer goal did cut the deficit but as the home side took the spoilers.

English Premier League Cup

It was a big night in Manchester as the top 2 put their league differences to one side to meet in the Semi Final 1^st leg with the winners going through to the final to face the Sheffield Steeldogs.

It was a nervy and edge start as the Manchester Phoenix looked to have taken the lead when the puck appeared to have hit the top corner netting only to be ruled out. The luck continued to go to the Flames as they then twice took the lead but Long’s equaliser tied the scores at 2 heading into Wednesday’s second leg.

English Premier League

There were 3 other games in the EPL with the Slough Jets looking to get their title challenge back on track. However Slough near lost their opportunity coming back to beat Peterborough in overtime. Basingstoke also got an important 2 points against Bracknell. Whilst the Milton Keynes Lightning gained a valuable win over Swindon before they head to Manchester for Sundays clash.

Results

Elite League

Dundee Stars 6 Edinburgh Capitals 3

Coventry Blaze 3 Braehead Clan 4

Fife Flyers 1 Belfast Giants 7

Sheffield Steelers 1 Nottingham Panthers 5

English Premier League Cup 1^st Leg

Guildford Flames 2 Manchester Phoenix 2

English Premier League

Peterborough Phantoms 4 Slough Jets 5 (AOT)

Bracknell Bees 1 Basingstoke Bison 3

Swindon Wildcats 3 Milton Keynes Lightning 6

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

The Get Real Guide to the Fife Flyers

Colours: White, Gold, Blue

Home Rink: Fife Ice Arena (Formerly Kirkcaldy Ice Rink), Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland

Founded: 1938

Whilst the name of the Fife Flyers may not be instantly recognisable to many new fans of British ice hockey they are in fact Britain’s oldest ice hockey club. Nestled across the Forth from the Scottish capital the Kirkcaldy ice rink has been home to the Flyers since 1938.

Since their first game against the Dundee Tigers in October 1938 the Flyers have survived everything from wartime black outs, strikes, fires and financial crises whilst other teams such as Ayr Bruins, Dunfermline Vikings and the Paisley Mohawks who were also formed around the same time petered out of existence.

The Flyers were an almost instant success attracting over 3,000 fans to their first game and taking their first league title (Scottish League) title in 1940. The war though put paid to a repeat but the Flyers did host travelling teams from the army and in the post war period hosting Swedish side Vastra Frolunda and the World Champion Team Canada before regaining their league title in 1949 and 1950.

The post war decade was a lean time for the club as trophies became hard to come by as a result of a downturn in attendances and money. It was a trend that was occurring throughout British ice hockey and in 1955 the league was abandoned but the Flyers did manage to keep playing until the hay day’s returned in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

This period saw the team start to cement a reputation as the trophies began to come in including the STV and Grandstand (televised competition) trophies. It also saw Fife play on the British stage with the formation of the Northern League.

The success continued in the 1970’s with the team winning the Northern League in 1977 and 1978 as well the British Championship in the same years. 1977 also saw the Flyers win the British Grand Slam for the first time and became the first Scottish team not to drop a point in a season.

With an increase in money in the sport the Fife Flyers were part of another boom in British hockey. This time however they were not to be as successful being the nearly team of the decade but they did win the Heineken Premier League title (British Championship) in 1985.

The 1990’s and the money race that happened was not kind to the Flyers. The aging Fife Ice Arena with its small capacity and lack of plexi glass and other facilities saw the team miss out on the Superleague. However the Flyers remained a force in the British National League taking a grand slam in 2000 and the BNL title again in 2004.

Without improvement to their facilities the Fife Flyers were cast out of a place in the EIHL when the EIHL took over the BNL in 2005. That decision was one that split ice hockey and saw Fife and Dundee (who leapt to Fife’s defence) cast to the bottom of the hockey pile. The Flyers duely took their place in the Scottish National League again and won the title in 2006 and 2007 as well as the Northern League title in 4 out 6 years.

The Flyers time in the cold finally game to an end in 2011. The side under new ownership gained some investment and could improve their facilities. This tied in with the vacancy in the EIHL caused by the loss of Newcastle and finally after over 15 years the Flyers were a top-flight team again.

Their first season in the EIHL may not have been the most successful so far with problems around import signings and a late start to the season. But it has seen raising attendances and has brought a good feeling back to British ice hockey in writing a very wrong act.

Honours

Celtic League Playoffs: 2008/09, 2009/10

Celtic League Cup: 2008/09, 2009/10

British National League: 1999/2000, 2003/04

Grand Slam: 1977,

British Champions: 1976/77, 1977/78, 1984/85,

Scottish Premier Hockey League Champions: 2007/08

Scottish Premier League Play-off: 2007/08

Northern League Play-off: 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11

Northern League Champions: 1976/77, 1977/78, 1996/97, 1997/98, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08, 2010/11

Autumn Cup: 1949/50, 1972, 1975, 1976, 2005, 2008

Grandstand Trophy: 1964/65, 1966/67

Spring Cup: 1974/75, 1975/76, 1976/77

Anderson Trophy: 1938/39, 1946/47, 1948/49, 1949/50

Airlie Trophy: 1953/54

McPherson Trophy: 1939

Silver Jubilee Trophy: 1948

Coronation Cup: 1948/49

Scottish League: 1939/40, 1948/49, 1949/50, 1963/64, 1990/91, 1995/96, 2005/06, 2006/07

Scottish Cup: 1984/85, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10

Skol Cup: 1964, 1964/65, 1966/67, 1967/68, 1970/71, 1973/74, 1976/77

Scottish Canada Cup: 1949/50

STV Trophy: 1964/65

Directors Trophy: 1965

Cola-Cola Trophy: 1964/65

Slapshot Trophy: 1977

Evening News Trophy: 1976/77

Forth Challenge Trophy: 1983

Northumbria Cup: 1976/77

Taws Trophy: 1990/91

Christmas Cup: 1999/2000

Caledonia Cup: 2002/03, 2003/04

Findus Challenge Cup: 2001/02

Links

www.fifeflyers.co.uk

- Neil Tucker

Nottingham Panthers Leads a Pack of Winners in UK Hockey Action

There was no action at the top of the elite league as the Sheffield Steelers were still away in Denmark with their Continental Cup campaign and their scheduled game with table toppers the Belfast Giants was therefore postponed.  Fellow contenders Nottingham were in action but in the Challenge Cup. Sheffield’s Continental Cup campaign though ended in misery as the Elite League Champions finished without a win at the bottom of the group whilst Italian side HC Asiago head to France for the final.

Challenge Cup

Nottingham Panthers 5 Coventry Blaze 5

Coventry knew that they must avoid defeat to keep any hope of qualifying for the semi finals. Whilst the Panthers knew that they were already in the next round before their final group game. If soccer can be a game of 2 halves this was a game of three periods. It was the home side who shot out of the blocks in the first period with 5 goals in the first period from 5 different scorers including twice scoring two in a minute. It was almost an exact reversal in the second as Nottingham hit back first through Corey Neilson then two minutes of wonder at the end of period brought the Panthers back into the game. Levers brace and a goal from Francis made it a one goal game at the second break. The third in stark contrast was a tight affair and the only goal in the period was from Corey Neilson who levelled the scores with just over a minute remaining. That meant that as per challenge cup rules the game ended in a tie and Coventry will have to win their remaining two games to stand any chance of qualify for the semi finals alongside the Panthers who have already qualified.

Elite League

Dundee Stars 5 Edinburgh Capitals 0

Edinburgh headed back over the Forth Bridge with two points from last night’s game against Fife and a further 2 points tonight against their Scottish rivals would boost their chances massively of making the end of season playoffs. On the hand a victory for the visitors would be needed to keep the Stars in touch with playoff pack. The bottom it was that made the going scoring quick fire 4 goals in the first period whilst limiting an uncharacteristic defence made limited any of the Capitals chances. There was no chance in that in the second period as Hutchins added to his goal in the first period. The final period did see the Capitals much improved but they could not break down the Stars and the Stars took the game 5-0 and limited the home team to only 17 shots.

Braehead Clan 3 Hull Stingrays 2

Both teams had lost the previous night to title contenders but tonight’s game was all about the maintaining their pushes for ranked places come April. It was a close contest throughout but it was the Clan that made the most of the early chances taking the lead in the first period through Bayrack. That goal was cancelled out by Silverthorn’s goal in the second but a late goal by MacPherson kept the away side ahead at the second intermission. That lead was doubled in the third by Galbraith but not for long as Osman kept the Stingrays in the game but it was not enough for the Hull team that suffered their second loss of the weekend.

Fife Flyers 1 Cardiff Devils 5

It was a match up that echoed days of old on paper as the Flyers travelled to the south of Wales. Cardiff had picked up a valuable 4 points last weekend but missed out in midweek to a struggling Hull side and knew that whilst Fife maybe be struggling they are more than capable of causing an upset if they are not taken seriously.

Cardiff found it tough going in the first two periods as the Flyers disciplined approach made it hard for the Devils to break them down. But goals from Pierce and MacRae did give the Devils a lead through two. The third saw the game open up as Fife got back in the game through Cohen then the Devils took over with goals from Birbraer, Pierce and Matzka to secure the win continue their push towards the top four.

Premier League

With the top two both in action both Slough and Guildford knew only a win would do. Slough went up to Altrincham to face a resurgent Manchester side which had been playing much better of late. On the other hand Guildford were facing a Swindon side that had pushed them all the way the weekend before. In Manchester it was Slough who put last weekend’s loses behind them and showed the rollercoastering Phoenix why they are at the top. The Jets taking a 5 goal lead before the Phoenix found their feet and hit the night three times in the third.

Meanwhile in Guildford, the Flames were matching the Jets by also taking a 5 goal lead against the Wildcats running out 6-2 winners in the end and remaining in top spot by virtue of their better head to head record with the Jets.

Elsewhere Peterborough’s woes continued with another home lose at the hands of the Lightning who continued their good run of form.  But the Phantoms remain of the bottom as the Telford Tigers could not hold off against the Steeldogs.  In the nights other game the Bison left the weekend without any points as they travelled to Berkshire to face the Bracknell Bees. The Bees showing they are not the pushovers they may have been last seen by winning 3-1.

Results

Slough Jets 5 Manchester Phoenix 3

Swindon Wildcats 2 Guildford Flames 6

Milton Keynes 4 Peterborough Phantoms 2

Sheffield Steeldogs 6 Telford Tigers 4

Basingstoke Bison 1 Bracknell Bees 3

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

UK Ice Hockey (Round Up 19th November)

Elite League

Hull Stingrays 1 Edinburgh Capitals 3

The Hull Stingrays headed back up north to Scotland on the back of their mid week defeat to Fife. This time they were in Murrayfield to play a Capitals side hitting some form. The Capitals started well through Jarolin then Valecko before the period was barely half way through. Matt Davies kept the Stingrays in touch but Peter Holecko kept the advantage at 2 at the end of the first period.

The second and third period saw chances but neither team could capitalise and it was the Edinburgh Capitals who went on to take the 2 points.

Coventry Blaze 1 Cardiff Devils 4

Coventry travelled to the welsh capital seeking revenge for their 6 – 1 drumming on their last visit. However it was Devils who started like a team determined not to let that happen as Hill and Birbraer scored to put the Devils 2 up. Cardiff then took 24 seconds to double that lead before the period finished.

The second period saw Cardiff consolidate their lead but could not hit the netting.  Coventry did manage to pull back a goal in the third through Farmer but couldn’t stage a comeback.

Belfast Giants 7 Fife Flyers 1

Fife were flying high after picking up their first top flight victory in over 15 years in mid week and that form continued as they took the lead through Matt Siddell in the third minute. But the league leaders, Belfast, then took control. After hitting 20 shots on Garrett Zemlack they finally levelled at just before the break with Craig Peacock.

Belfast continued their onslaught on the Fife goalie in the second hitting a further 19 shots and yet Zemlack was up to it stopping all but one. It did not stop there however has the Giants showed their killer instinct ratcheting up a further 26 shots and goals through Rebek, Keefe and a hat trick from Pelle to keep Belfast clear at the top of the table.

Sheffield Steelers 4 Braehead 2

Sheffield went up to Braehead looking to keep the pressure on Nottingham and Belfast. An even first period saw the teams head in at the break goalless.

That didn’t last long as the Steelers went all guns blazing to start the second period. First Finnerty scored on the powerplay then Legue grabbed a brace. With a penalties racking up on the Clan and a second 5 on 3 of the period Legue dutifully scored his hat trick goal.

The Clan were sparked into life into the third period and limited the Steelers to only 5 shots but it wasn’t until 7 minutes to go that Bayrack got the home side on the board. That was followed up by his second in the final minute. But the Clan were left to rue their ill discipline as the Steelers brimmed with confidence going to the derby game against Nottingham on the Sunday.

English Premier League

There was a big upset on Saturday night as Basingstoke went to the Hanger to face the league leaders Slough Jets. Sloughs usually potent attack however was out done by a rampant Basingstoke. The Jets losing the tie 7 -3. That loss and Guildford’s narrow victory over Swindon at the Link Center set up Sunday’s winner takes top match up at the spectrum between the Flames and the Jets.

Elsewhere Manchester’s Martin Cingel was left laid out on the ice during their first game in a home and home series against Peterborough. The Slovakian on the already injury hurt Phoenix team refused a stretch making it back to his bench under his own steam only to come out the next shift and put the visitors in the lead. 3 goals in reply however put the Phantoms in control and earned them two points to take them from the foot of the table.

EPL Results

Basingstoke Bison 7 Slough Jets 3

Manchester Phoenix 1 Peterborough Phantoms 3

Guildford Flames 2 Swindon Wildcats 1

Milton Keynes Lightning 1 Sheffield Steeldogs 4

Bracknell Bees 3 Telford Tigers 2

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Fife Flyers Win One over the Hull Stingrays

The Fife Flyers finally ended their torturous weekend of 4 games in 5 nights and ended it in some style. After 15 games to start the season without a victory and only one in the Challenge Cup the Elite League’s smallest and newest team finally got their first win.

With 3 games in 3 nights over the weekend seeming to have taken their toll as 2 players including player coach Todd Dutiaume faced late fitness test all the odds were stacked in Hull Stingrays favour. However this is a Fife team that got a point in Nottingham last weekend when the odds were not with them.

Fife opened the scoring inside two minutes through Siddall then doubled it through Hartmanis before the period was over. But when Cohen scored Fife’s third goal it sparked Hull into life; first with Tendler then Campbell to send the Flyers in at the second intermission only 1 goal up.  After the break Rodin then Dulle gave the visitors the lead and seemed to have ruined the night for the Kirkcaldy men. However Siddall hit a second with 90 seconds to go and send the game in OT.

Fife were still not out of the woods as a Siddall penalty in OT put Hull on the powerplay but the Flyers held on killing the penalty and sending the game to penalties. With no scorers on the board it came to Cohen who put the result in the book. Britain’s oldest club finally got their first win on their return to the top flight and roar in the Kirkcaldy ice rink could be heard across the land.

Fife remains bottom of the league but are now a point behind Dundee and 4 behind Edinburgh and the playoffs. Whilst Hull jump above the Capitals into seventh.

In other news. British forward Andrew Sharp has signed with the Guildford Flames of the EPL. The agitator played most of last season with the Manchester Phoenix winning the EPL title. Sharp has also iced in the EIHL with Sheffield Steelers and comes with a reputation for dropping the gloves and being physical.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Belfast Giants Knock Off Fife Flyers

Fife Flyers 3 – 6 Belfast Giants

The Fife Flyers made the trip to Belfast to face the Giants with both teams facing the prospect of 3 games in 3 nights. Following last weekend’s heroics in Nottingham the Flyers however had hopes of moving up the table in the home of league leaders.

Those hopes were not to come to fruition however as after a tight first period that finished 1 – 1 the Giants took control. Goals from Awada, Doucet and Dignard established gave the league leaders a commanding 4 – 1 lead going into the third. Daryl Lloyd’s sixth goal of season two minutes into the third ended the game as a contest. Hamilton and Cohen did pick up a second and third for Fife when Belfast ran into penalty trouble including Keefe being ejected but Doucet’s second settled any nervous for the home team. At the end of 60 minutes though it was a comfortable win in the end for the Belfast Giants who extend their lead to 6 points.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com