Keeley's Korner - Hockey Hotties for the Ladies in the UK

The response on my first two columns has been amazing.  I am all over this hockey hotties things and the shout outs from the readers really got me thinking.

While the NHL is all well and good for hockey hotties, there is no harm in looking elsewhere too – particularly in the Elite Hockey League, way over in the UK. After all, there’s nothing quite like a hot guy with an accent.

Here are some of the best looking lads to play the beautiful game across the pond.

Name: Craig Peacock

DOB: 8^th August 1988
Team: Belfast Giants

Why?: A standout player on the Giants, it’s hard not to notice Peacock – especially without all his uniform and equipment on. It’s unfortunate that there’s not nearly enough photos to show this (no shirtless shots, boo! L), but let’s face it – Peacock doesn’t really need them. With his gorgeous blue-grey eyes and curly dark hair, there’s no doubt that he falls into the hottie category. Even more unfortunate? It seems he’s off the market. But hey, maybe twitter’s not that reliable of a source… a girl can only hope.

Name: Tim Burrows

DOB: 22^nd March 1990
Team: Cardiff Devils

Why?: Again – it’s unfortunate that there’s no shirtless pictures. Maybe it’s an NHL thing? But oh well, it doesn’t really matter – the photos that are around are more then enough proof for why he’s on the list. The fact is, Burrows is just amazing. There’s no doubt that he’s talented – afterall, that’s why the Devils have kept him for so long – but with his not-quite-hockey hair and dimpled grin, it’s easy to see why he’s made the list. Plus, he watches ‘Take Me Out’ – perfect, or what?

Name: Josh Batch

DOB: 15^th January 1991
Team: Cardiff Devils

Why?: Of the three guys on the list, Batch is the baby of the group, yet has played the farthest away from home – and if the Devils brought him back from the US specifically to play, it’s really no question that he’s talented. Just like how with his blonde hair, blue eyes and nice smile, there’s no question that he’s just completely gorgeous. As a bonus, for those who like a guy with tattoos – I know I do - Batch’s got a shoulder piece on his right arm, which only adds to his hottness.

Anyways ladies, have to dash out now for some food.  Stay in touch and let me know what you think of my boys I think you will love them.  I know I did.

- Keeley Ryan

Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants Crush Opponents (UK Round Up 26th February)

With the title race well and truly on in the EIHL there were crucial games to be played across the country.

Edinburgh Capitals 0 Sheffield Steelers 7

The Steelers coach Ryan Finnerty had said that his side needed to be more potent in front of the goal following two less than convincing games in Scotland. Finnerty also gambled by resting John De Caro to be replaced by British goalie Geoff Woolhouse.

The gamble paid off as the Steelers’ dominated the game from start to finish. A brace from Finnerty was backed up by goals from King, Huttel, Birnstill and Legue whilst Woolhouse stayed strong in front of some spirited Capitals attacks.

It was a vitalising victory for the Steelers who needed a boost after two shaky performances.

Belfast Giants 5 Coventry Blaze 0

Coventry returned to the rink looking for some points after their pointless weekend less time out. However Belfast were on again a hot streak.

The Giants picked up a 4-point lead with 13 goals scored and non conceded.

Braehead Clan 5 Dundee Stars 6 (APS)

The Stars – Clan game was the game of the round with the Stars looking to take advantage of the Capitals poor run and the Clan on some good form.

The Stars took the lead twice early only to find themselves 3 goals behind going into the last ten minutes. It was Kolanos, Maclean and McIntosh who netted within a minute of each other to level the scores and send the game to overtime.

No overtime winner was found and it fell to Chris Whitely to save from the usually reliable Jade Galbraith to win the game for the home team.

Nottingham Panthers 4 Fife Flyers 3

The Flyers were missing 3 players in their match up but again the Kirkcaldy side made it difficult for the visitors. But it was the visitors who showed the skill and took an advantage through Benedict and Francis.

It was a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish but a third period double from Gunn meant that the Panthers couldn’t relax.

Hull Stingrays 3 Cardiff Devils 5

The Devils maintained their good run of form to remain in contention for a top 4 finish with a controlling display against the Stingrays.

However it was the Stingrays that took the lead through former Devil Jason Silverthorn but a double from Matzka and 1 from Gerard Adams meant the Devils were in control of the tie.

Hull remained in contention with a Sylvan Cloutier strike but 2 in a minute from Pierce and Scott Matzka (for his hat trick) put the game beyond doubt even though Osman came in with consolation for the Stingrays.

English Premier League

There were just 3 games in the EPL on Sunday night and with Guildford not in action it was a chance for the Manchester Phoenix to close the gap. The Phoenix were missing Slava Koulikov to an injury picked up in the tie at Bracknell on Saturday night but looked to have done enough to beat the Berkshire outfit for the second night in a row. But with 90 seconds to go the Bees found an equaliser that appeared to be taking the game to overtime until James Archer netted his second of the game with 18 seconds left on the clock to win it for the Manchester Phoenix.

The 3^rd and 4^th placed sides also meant at Ice Sheffield with both sides having lost the night before. The Jets took the lead but it was Sheffield who came away with the spoils and leapfrog their opponents into third spot.

The final game of the night was in Peterborough where the Phantoms were involved in another high scoring match up this time against the Milton Keynes Lightning. This time though it was the Lightning who did the majority of the scoring to beat the Phantoms who remain outside of the playoffs but tied on points with the Bracknell Bees.

Scores

Sunday 26^th February

EIHL

Hull Stingrays 3 Cardiff Devils 5

Edinburgh Capitals 0 Sheffield Steelers 7

Belfast Giants 5 Coventry Blaze 0

Nottingham Panthers 4 Fife Flyers 3

Braehead Clan 5 Dundee Stars 6 (APS)

EPL

Bracknell Bees 2 Manchester Phoenix 3

Milton Keynes Lightning 9 Peterborough Phantoms 3

Slough Jets 3 Sheffield Steeldogs 5

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

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

Neil Tucker and Blueliner are the UK Hockey Connection for GetRealHockey

Neil Tucker is a British hockey fan based just outside of England’s third largest city, Manchester. A fan of all sports including Rugby League, Speedway and archery but it is ice hockey that has been his first love since first watching the Manchester Storm play the Ayr Scottish Eagles in 1996 at the age of 9.

A graduate of the Manchester Metropolitan University Neil started writing about ice hockey in 2010 following a trip to see the Winter Classic for the Manchester Phoenix newsletter. Shortly afterwards the Blueliner Hockey Blog was started with the goal to highlight British ice hockey and hockey travel.

Today the Blueliner Hockey Tour has taken in places from Blackpool to Prague to Stockholm and Toronto and promotes hockey travel in association with online agent Nickes.com. In the coming months the Blueliner Hockey Blog is looking to complete its transition to Blueliner Hockey with its own domain which will continue to provide all hockey fans taking in games in new cities or countries with all the information they will need such as how to get tickets, how to get the rink, where to eat, drink and stay. As well as this Blueliner Hockey will continue to offer information and opinions on British ice hockey.

Away from his own site Neil Tucker writes regularly for Get Real Hockey where he covers British ice hockey and as a guest writer for other hockey sites as well as product describer for online golf store Scottsdalegolf.co.uk.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Belfast Giants knock off Nottingham Panthers (UK Round Up Saturday 11th February)

It was an important and perhaps controversial night in the EIHL as the top two met at the NIC whilst in the EPL it was record breaking game day.

Elite League

Belfast Giants 4 Nottingham Panthers 3 (APS)

The EIHL title race centred on the NIC on Saturday night as the Nottingham Panthers met the Belfast Giants knowing only a win would keep them in the title race.

It was a bad start for the Panthers as the Pelle and Deniset put the Giants on the board early before Francis’s reply kept the home team in the game. Robert Dowd then regained the 2 goal lead before the Panthers fought back through Francis again and the Beauregard to send the game to overtime.

The overtime gave produced no goals only an incident involving Francis a possible penalty shot. The Giants gained the extra point on the penalty shots to put the Giants in a commanding position at the top of the table.

Coventry Blaze 2 Sheffield Steelers 3

Fellow title chasers the Sheffield Steelers were hosting the Blaze at the Motorpoint Arena. It was a tight game that saw the Blaze come back from a goal down to twice through Guthrie before Mike Ramsay hit the winner midway through the third.

The 14^th consecutive win against the Blaze keeps the Steelers in the title race and moves them level on points with the Panthers on Saturday night 9 points behind the Belfast side but with 6 games in hand.

Hull Stingrays 4 Dundee Stars 3

At the foot of the table the Hull Stingrays received a massive boost to their playoff hopes as they travelled to Dundee.

Despite the hosts taking the lead three times the Stingrays never gave them much chance to build on it and after Osman equalised for the third time it was Jason Silverthorn who seized the momentum and scored the winner with 6 minutes to go in regulation.

Braehead Clan 7 Fife Flyers 2

Dundee however stay of the foot of the table thanks to Braehead’s dominant display in the second and third periods at the Fife Ice Arena.

Fife struggled to get going and found themselves 4 goals down before Hartmanis got them on the score sheet in the final minute of the second period. However man of the moment Jade Galbraith extinguished any hopes of a Flyers comeback by adding the 5^th Clan goal just after the restart. Further goals from Walker and Krestanovich completed the rout with Maxwell adding Fife’s second.

The result leaves the Flyers level on points with Stars at the bottom of the table but more importantly still 6 points off the playoffs.

Edinburgh Capitals 2 Cardiff Devils 5

Edinburgh travelled to Cardiff on Saturday and failed to boost their playoff chances. However it was not all the Devils way as a Rene Jarolin brought the Caps to within a goal going into the third period.

A further goal from Pierce and a second from Phil Hill however settled home fans nerves and sealed the win. That win lifts the Devils 3 points clear of the Blaze in 4^th spot in the table.

EPL

Saturday night was a record breaking night for the EPL. The 42 goals scored across the 5 games was the highest number of goals scored in a single day in the EPL’s history, breaking the previous record by 2.

The highest scoring game of the round was at the Link Centre as the Swindon Wildcats did their playoff hopes no harm by coming out 7 – 5 winners over the Basingstoke Bison and snap a six game losing streak.

However the shock of the night was in the 11- goal game as third place Slough hosted the fourth place Sheffield Steeldogs. The dogs came away with an 8 – 2 win to overhaul their rivals and take third place.

There were also 2 ten-goal games as Manchester beat Telford 9 -1 and Guildford beat Peterborough 7 – 3 to remain 6 points clear of Manchester at the top. The tamest game of the night however saw just 5 goals as the Milton Keynes Lightning got the decision against the Bracknell Bees.

Results

EIHL

Coventry Blaze 2 Sheffield Steelers 3

Belfast Giants 4 Nottingham Panthers 3 (APS)

Braehead Clan 7 Fife Flyers 2

Edinburgh Capitals 2 Cardiff Devils 5

Hull Stingrays 4 Dundee Stars 3

EPL

Telford Tigers 1 Manchester Phoenix 9

Sheffield Steeldogs 9 Slough Jets 2

Peterborough Phantoms 3 Guildford Flames 7

Basingstoke Bison 5 Swindon Wildcats 7

Bracknell Bees 2 Milton Keynes 3

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com