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

Nottingham Panthers Lay Down the Law (UK Round Up - 19th February)

What an exciting end of the week in the EIHL and EPL !!!

Nottingham Panthers 9 Edinburgh Capitals 0

With the top two not in action the Nottingham Panthers had a golden chance to move back into second place.

After a controlling the game through the first two periods the floodgates opened up. The Panthers scoring 6 times in the final period including 3 goals in the last 2 minutes.

That victory lifts the Panthers over the Steelers into second place. Whereas the loss means the Capitals are winless now in their last 11 games in danger of slipping out of the play offs.

Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3

The Hull Stingrays recent good run of form had seen them lifted higher into the playoffs and out of immediate danger of missing the end of season showdown. However the Devils put paid to that as a brace from Macrae meant the Stingrays would leave the weekend without a point.

Jason Silverthorn’s 57^th minute goal though did offer give the home side a chance in what was other wise a dominating display from the Cardiff Devils.

Braehead Clan 6 Coventry Blaze 4

In a rematch from Saturday night the Clan went to the Skydome. The hometown Blaze had been beaten in Glasgow in that match and another defeat tonight would lift the Clan above them into fifth place.

For such a challenge there is only one man in the Elite League who can step up, Jade Galbraith. In a tight, end to game the Canadian proved to be the difference as his hat trick lifted the visitors to a 4-point weekend and fifth place in the EIHL.

English Premier League

All EPL teams were back in action tonight as after 20 minutes the Guildford Flames gave the Manchester Phoenix and Slough Jets a glimmer of hope in the title race. The Flames were tied at 0 – 0 with the Swindon Wildcats but that glimmer was extinguished in the second as the Flames went on to win 9 -1 and remain in control in the title race.

The Phoenix and the Jets though both kept up the pressure tho with wins over the Milton Keynes Lightning and Telford Tigers. The Sheffield Steeldogs also picked up a valuable win in overtime over the Bracknell Bees who were also grateful for a point. In a tight race playoff race the Bees point may prove important the chasing Peterborough Phantoms also picked up a point in their shootout lose at the Basingstoke Bison. 

Results

Elite League

Nottingham Panthers 9 Edinburgh Capitals 0

Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3

Braehead Clan 6 Coventry 4

English Premier League

Swindon Wildcats 1 Guildford Flames 9

Milton Keynes Lightning 2 Manchester Phoenix 5

Peterborough Phantoms 6 Basingstoke Bison 7 (APS)

Sheffield Steeldogs 3 Bracknell Bees 2 (AOT)

Telford Tigers 1 Slough Jets 5

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

The Right Hand For Job? - Was he the right choice for GB Hockey ?

The announcement of Tony Hand as the next Great Britain coach last week as raised many questions. These have ranged from whether it is viable for an EPL coach to be national team coach? Is his record as a coach good enough? Who else is there? Is he tactically sound? And even does he have the passion for it? Added to this outspoken Sheffield Steelers’ spokesperson Dave Simms said after the news that Paul Thompson would be stepping down broke that there was no outstanding candidate for the job.

Putting aside all these questions for a moment it is great that such questions are now being asked. 10 or 15 years ago the national team wasn’t even on the radar of most fans. The Great Britain team was being coached by Chris McSorley was coaching in Switzerland and doing the job without getting paid whilst some duel internationals were being offered large sums of money to play for the side. Today the GB team has gone from this to a Division One promotion possibility and potential host of a world championship as well as rising from outside the top 30 countries to inside the top 20. Fans are also more involved with 2 international games at ‘home’ per year. No longer is the GB job a thankless task for a week a year but a high profile role taken seriously by the players and fans.

Turning to Tony Hand now. His history and experience in the sport does suggest that this is a job he was destined for. His playing career which is still going today has seen Hand score more points than any other British player or any other player in this country, a draftee of the Edmonton Oilers, played in all corners of the British game and was a member of the Great Britain team that last played in the World Championship group in 1994. Behind the bench Hand has built up 10 years worth of experience. Winning the British National League title with Dundee, the EPL title with Manchester and coaching at all ends of the financial scale in the Elite League with Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester.

Despite this some quarters have asked questions.

Does Hand lack the passion and commitment for the job?

Some people have questioned this based on his actions as a player most based on Hand’s decision to retire from international ice hockey despite still being the most proficient British player in the league. However not only was this decision right for Hand given his age and had prolonged his career it has turned out to be right for the national side. By leaving the national programme Hand gave the powers that be at that time a shake up that was desperately needed. The mismanaged, haphazard way in which duel nationals were ‘employed’ was stifling young British talent and making a mockery of the national squad.

Does Hand have the Tactical Knowledge?

Tony Hand has been deeply criticised at times for his tactics. This has centred on his overuse of his top two lines. This is true however during his time in the Elite League with Edinburgh and Manchester Hand has lacked the depth due to tight financial constraints to roll three lines in tight games. However even during the EPL games Hand has continued this practise. This is an area that Hand will need to improve on although in his defence part of his reasoning behind the two-line system is that one of those lines has included Hand himself. It looks from the outside that in close games Hand feels he is better being on the ice himself and so uses the two-line system to put himself out there more. In international games however against strong line-ups such as the Ukraine or Kazakhstan it is much more important to keep the team fresh but of course Hand will not be icing.

Is it Viable for an EPL Coach?

On time will tell but it would appear to be difficult. Paul Thompson as an Elite League coach saw every team and every player by virtue of the fact he was behind the bench of one of the sides. This allowed Thompson to view players together and watch them play on their lines however as an opposition coach Thompson had a responsibility to beat those players and so at times was difficult for him to be abstract. Hand however does not have that problem for the majority of players. Also with more midweek games in the EIHL Hand will be able to watch games from an outsider viewpoint. It is also true that the EPL has some overlooked British players as well as Longstaff and Bowns who made the last GB squad.

The main sticking point however will be the EPL playoff finals. This playoff weekend comes a weekend before the World Championships start and has seen the Great Britain team play warm up games that weekend. With Manchester a favourite to make the weekend for the third successive year there is an obvious conflict of interest. There are of course rumours about Manchester moving back into the EIHL that would solve this problem for the final 3 years of Hands international contract but that is a matter for a whole other blog.

It is worth noting that Hand will have a team of assistant coaches to help him but it is not reasonable to expect an assistant to take charge of the warm up games and then for Hand to charge for the World Championships.

Is Hand’s Coaching Record Good Enough?

Following in the footsteps of a 4 time Elite League winning British coach is always going to make Hand’s coaching record look poor. However Hand has won 2 championships in the BNL and the EPL. It is also worth noting that Hand didn’t really have the resource to win the Elite League in Manchester or Edinburgh but did get them to the playoffs. Belfast was a different matter but Hand did only spend a season in charge there.

So that puts the jury out on Hand’s credentials to be Great Britain coach. So perhaps the deciding factor is who else is there?

The truth is there are not that many candidates. If you are looking for British born coach then there is only Hand who has a record remotely near that of Paul Thompson. Other duel national candidates are available such as Corey Neilsen from Nottingham. However Neilsen is yet to coach a league winning side and would mean losing a defenseman from the pool of players to pick from. There is also Rob Wilson but Wilson is currently coaching in Italy.

There are of course non-British candidates. Gerard Adams of the Cardiff Devils and Doug Christiansen of the Belfast Giants have both coached in this country for several years but neither have been involved in the international set up before and after a successful couple of years now is not to the time to start changing that.

At the end of day Dave Simms is right. There aren’t a great number of candidates for the job and no one perhaps is as suited to the role as Paul Thompson was. In Tony Hand though there is at least someone with a great hockey sense. All the rest of us can do is cheer him and the boys on.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Neil Tucker is all over the EPL and EIHL Action

Hand is Announced as New GB Coach For New Year

It was a busy time in British ice hockey over the New Year period. The EIHL continued to play as did the EPL and there was news off ice as well.

Ice Hockey UK announced on Friday (30^th December) that the new Great Britain coach would be Tony Hand. Hand a 1986 draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers is currently the head coach of EPL side Manchester Phoenix. Whilst Hand is widely recognised as the greatest ever British player his coaching career began at the British National League Dundee Stars before moving on to roles with Belfast, Edinburgh and Manchester in the EIHL before making the move with Manchester into the EPL as well as being an assistant coach to Paul Thompson with the national side for a spell.

Elsewhere there was less positive news. Firstly the EPL title contenders the Slough Jets have released Tom Carlon due to financial reasons. The Jets are currently second in the EPL standings but stated that poor ticket sales and lower attendances were to blame. The forward has been snapped up by the Peterborough Phantoms for the remainder of the season.

Also in the EPL the Swindon Wildcats have announced the signing of former Basingstoke netminder, Dean Skinns. Skinns will play as back for the injuried Thomas Murdy.

Meanwhile in the third tier English National League the Oxford City Stars ENL1 team has been forced to resign. The Stars blamed the fact that 8 senior players had decided to quit the team as the main reason for their withdrawal. The Stars ENL2 side though will continue to operate.

On the ice a busy New Year’s weekend saw the Belfast Giants take a 3 point lead over Nottingham in the EIHL table. However Sheffield remain hot on their heels as they recorded a somewhat fortuitous victory over the Coventry Blaze. Luke Fulgham the former Blaze player grabbing a brace for his new team.

There was also a win for Fife in the Forth Derby. The Flyers beating the Capitals on penalties in the Hogmanay clash at Murrayfield. Fellow strugglers Dundee however lost their tie against Braehead thanks to a Clan comeback. Those results now mean that the Flyers are tied on points with the Stars for last place in the EIHL. The Flyers and Capitals will return the favour in Kirkcaldy on Bank Holiday Monday.

In the EPL it was a bad New Year for those sides at top of the table. Both Milton Keynes and Slough lost their Friday night games whilst table toppers Guildford lost both their games over the period. The Flames however remain on top of the table with a 6 point gap.

Now that you are up to date with the entire goings on in British hockey I would like to wish all the readers a Happy New Year and hope you continue to follow the EIHL, EPL and British ice hockey. I will be back with the game day reviews, Get Real Guide To and some more opinion piece as well.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

The Get Real Guide to the Edinburgh Capitals: Tradition in the Face of Adversity

Home Arena: Murrayfield Ice Rink, Edinburgh, Scotland

League: Elite League

Colours: Blue, White

Founded: 1998

The Edinburgh Capitals may not the most famous name in British ice hockey but the team’s origins and ice hockey in the city certainly do.

The Capitals were formed in 1998 as the new team for Edinburgh, the city having been previously represented in the sport by the Murrayfield Racers. The Racers were one of the most famous names in the sport in Great Britain winning 13 league titles since the 1960’s. However with the sport modernising in the 1990’s the Racers and their old fashioned rink were left behind and after failing to secure Superleague status in 1995 the team folded. The gap that was left was eventually to be filled by the Capitals.

In 1998 the Capitals were formed by ex Racer Scott Neil and still play at the same Murrayfield rink (although with added plexi glass). That team entered the British National League and after that league folded in 2005 like all Scottish clubs the Capitals faced a dilemma. Either go into obscurity or move in to the Elite League. Unlike the other Scottish teams however the Capitals took the plunge and moved into the Elite League.

The move has not made life easier for the Capitals who have fought constant money issues and as a result have failed to be very competitive. However the Capitals did make the playoffs in 2008, 09 and 2010. The 2010 season even saw the side finish sixth in the league and record their highest number of points.

The 2011 season was a disaster however as first head coach Brad Gratton left after 4 months in charge and was followed by 8 more players before the season ended. The lowest point was an 18 – 0 defeat to the Sheffield Steelers as the team finished bottom of the table with only 6 wins.

This season however has been more promising with the side in the playoffs and battling with the Braehead Clan for the honour of top Scottish side. Despite this life will always be hard for the Edinburgh Capitals. Their rink is not as modern and they face a massive amount of competition for fans, sponsors and backing from soccer and rugby union as well as the many other attractions a capital city has to offer. Although in the face of all this the Capitals have survived and continue the tradition of ice hockey in Edinburgh.

Website

http://www.edinburgh-capitals.com/

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Steelers and Flames both Dodge Bullets to Make Big Gains in Title Race

UK Round UP 18^th December

Sunday’s matches in both EIHL and the EPL had a common theme. All the teams that were in action were looking to make big gains in the league however that was not exactly the case.

Elite League

Sheffield Steelers 6 Fife Flyers 5 (AOT)

With both the Belfast Giants and the Nottingham Panthers not in action it was an excellent opportunity for the Steelers to make up some ground in the title race.

After a scoreless first period however it was the home side that started the scoring. Goals from Dutiaume and Hartmanis came in between a Siddell brace that stunned the defending champions into a 4 – 1 deficit at the second intermission.

It was a frantic start to the third period as Sheffield was determined not to let the game slip away. Luke Fulgham scored in the fourth minute of the period to bring the Steelers to within 2 goals but Hartmanis scored 3 seconds later to restore the lead to 3. Birnstall then netted for the visitors to cut the lead again some 15 seconds later. Fulgham’s second of the night in the eighth minute cut the gap to 1 and set up a grandstand finish in Kirkcaldy.

Jeff Legue finally found the net for the Steelers with 2 minutes to go to tie up the scores. The hometown hearts were then broken in overtime as Mark Thomas scored his second overtime winner of the season.

Fife has once again shown that they can compete with every team in the EIHL. However they will need to turn those nearly wins into points or will be left with nothing to show for it come April. Although the signing of Dan Ceman could prove to be the extra edge they need to get to that next step. Sheffield on the other hand has taken a big in road into the lead of the Belfast Giants but did it by dodge a big bullet.

Braehead Clan 7 Dundee Stars 1

The Stars returned home to Dundee for them play their first must win game under new coach Brent Hughes.

It was a tight first period that saw the Clan take a 2 – 1 advantage but which the Stars were well and truly in contention. The second by contrast was all one-way traffic. The Clan scoring through Galbraith, Walker, Jorgensen and Krestanovich to take the game by the horns and a commanding 6 -1 lead.

All that was left in the third period was for Jade Galbraith to complete his hat trick and leave the Stars just two points of the bottom.

This was a must win game for the Stars who had been showing an improvement under Brent Hughes. However this was another big defeat in a game they had a good chance of winning and leaves their playoff hopes in shatters once more.

Whilst the Clan are now in a good position to take that spot as Scotland’s number one team again.

Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3

The Stingrays knew that 2 points would be needed tonight to boost their playoff hopes by taking advantage of results around them.

It was the Stingrays that started well with Tendler and Osman replying after Kenton Smith had given the Devils the lead for a 2 -1 score at the first intermission. Hill’s equaliser for the Devils was than cancelled out by Tendler’s second that kept the Stingrays in charge.

But it was a third period to forget for the home team. The Devils dominated the play as MacRae, Frank and Matzka turned the game on its head.

The Devils pick up all 4 points from this weekend and will be delighted to be doing the small things right. It was disappointment for the Stingrays who miss out on the chance to create a dominating gap in the race for the final playoff spot.

Edinburgh Capitals 2 Coventry Blaze 7

Coventry returned home to the Skydome looking to give another large crowd something to cheer and that they did with a powerful display against a lacklustre Capitals outfit.

The win keeps the Blaze in forth spot in the league table whilst the Capitals slip further behind the Clan in the race to be Scotland’s number one team.

English Premier League

With the top 3 all getting big wins on Saturday night they were all looking for a repeat performance. However they were in for a big surprise. Slough who had beaten Manchester 9 – 0 on Saturday went down to a Phantoms side that is showing a big up turn in its form. Meanwhile Manchester hosted Milton Keynes at the Ice Dome and survived a come back from the Lightning to take the points and show what they are capable of on their day. This left the league leaders with the opportunity to open a bigger gap at the top against the same 

Bracknell team they had beaten 8 – 0 the night before.

The Flames however came up against a Bees team intent on revenge and need a late equaliser to force overtime. The leagues took full advantage of a second chance at the win and took it on penalties to move 4 points clear at the top of the EPL.

The EPL’s other game saw the Wildcats pick up 2 points with a dominating display against bottom side Telford.

Results

Swindon Wildcats 8 Telford Tigers 2

Milton Keynes Lightning 2 Manchester Phoenix 4

Slough Jets 3 Peterborough Phantoms 4

Guildford Flames 4 Bracknell Bees 3 (APS)

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

The Edinburgh Capitals and the Guildford Flames Rack up Wins

UK Round Up 11^th December

It was a quiet day in the EIHL with only 2 games on the Sunday night schedule and one in the Challenge Cup. In the EPL however there were some significant results in the race for the title.

Elite League

Hull Stingrays 6 Edinburgh Capitals 7 (AOS)

It was a critical game for both clubs as they both chase a higher playoff rank especially as neither side could be said to comfortably in the playoffs either.

It was the home side that got caught napping early on as Hull raced into a two goal lead inside the first 5 minutes but Zemburgs strike kept the Capitals in touch at the break.

After the break however all signs of defence went missing as Campbell’s second of the night restored the visitors 2 goal lead after 10 seconds before 3 goals in less than 10 minutes put the home side in the lead for the first time. The scoring was not done there however as Jerome Tendler grabbed a brace to give the Stingrays the lead at the second break.

That was not the end of the scoring as the Capitals regained the advantage at the start of the final period with Hartmann and Hanzal getting the goals but Tendler’s hat trick sent the game to overtime and penalties only for the Caps to take the win.

The penalty shootout loss will give the Stingrays a six point lead in the race for the final playoff spot but two points for the Caps lifts them back to within striking distance of the Clan in their bid to be number in Scotland.

Braehead Clan 3 Sheffield Steelers 4 (AOT)

Sheffield went into their third game in 3 nights with 2 wins already under their belt. But the Clan were looking to take advantage of any fatigue to secure a 4 point all for themselves.

It was the Steelers that started the brighter and did not show any sign of fatigue. The Sheffield team scoring with Ramsay and Legue with 5 minutes on the clock but then the Clan got into the game more. However it took until the second period before Jorgensen got the Clan up on the board. Although the Braehead outfit still pressed Jonathan Phillips managed to restore the Steelers’ 2 goal advantage.

That advantage wouldn’t last long into the third as Krestanovich and Jorgensen hit the net as the Clan went on to outshoot their opponents 41 to 26. A win however was not to come and the Steelers took the game to overtime for the second time in 3 nights. This time however was less controversial as new boy Francis Trudel scored his first for the club and gave the Steelers 2 more points in the pursuit of the Belfast Giants.

The Clan will be pleased to have come out of Sheffield with a point however after outshooting their opponents so convincingly they will surely be disappointed that they couldn’t take both points back to Glasgow. Sheffield however will see it differently. They will be delighted to have come away with 3 wins from 3 games in 3 nights and will be flowing with confidence as they hunt down the Belfast Giants.

Challenge Cup

Fife Flyers 1 Dundee Stars 7

With both teams unable to make the semi finals this game was a dead rubber but did give new Stars coach Brent Hughes a good opportunity to stretch his coaching legs at home.

Goals from Maclean, Dolan and Zarb gave the Stars a 3 goal lead at the first intermission and they never looked back. Turner and Macintosh  added to that in the second to end the game as a contest and 2 more goals from Maclean and Hutchins completed the rout. Fife did get on the board in the third period through Mike Hamilton but it was all too late.

Although it was a dead rubber it was an important win for Dundee who will pleased to have gotten their first win at home in five attempts but they and new coach Brent Hughes know more wins like this will be needed if they are to reach the playoffs.

EPL

It was a decisive night in the EPL as the Guildford Flames claimed sole occupancy of the number one spot. A come back victory in Sheffield on penalties and the Slough Jets losing to the Milton Keynes Lightning meant that the Flames take a 2 point lead over the Jets at the top. But they know they cannot be complacent as those results mean that 3 points now separate the top three in the league.

Elsewhere the Phantoms failed to make it a 4 point weekend as they lost at home to the ever inconsistent Manchester Phoenix. Peterborough however do remain 2 points clear of the bottom as Telford went down to the Bracknell Bees who bounced back from their heavy defeat the night before.

Results

Slough Jets 3 Milton Keynes 4

Guildford Flames 5 Sheffield Steeldogs 4 (APS)

Bracknell Bees 3 Telford Tigers 1

Manchester Phoenix 4 Peterborough Phantoms 3

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

EIHL -UK Round Up 9th December

Controversy Seals It On The Ice As It Hits Off The Ice As Well

Friday was another busy in the EIHL as the top placed Belfast Giants faced the Sheffield Steelers in the first televised game of the season, whilst second placed Nottingham hosted the Edinburgh Capitals at the NIC. Off the ice rumours were circulating that the EIHL had held an emergency secret meeting to address the financial crises now gripping teams including the Coventry Blaze. The outcome seems to be that the EIHL will change its management structure and employ an outside agent to govern the salary cap.

However in a repeat of a similar meeting nearly two years ago it seems not all clubs were invited. This time it appears that three out of the four Scottish clubs where not in attendance and it is unclear what their future will be although the rumour of a breakaway Northern league also resurfaced.

Belfast Giants 1 Sheffield Steelers 2 (AOT)

On the ice all eyes were on the clash in Sheffield in front of the Sky TV cameras. Belfast went into the game 8 points clear of the Steelers but the Sheffield team had played several less games. The Giants were also without a replacement for the long term injured Benoit Doucet whilst Sheffield were back to full strength with the signing of defenseman Francis Trudel.

It was the league leaders who took the advantage early on scoring through Jon Pelle in the first period. The Giants kept in control of the game as the Steelers went 0 for 8 on the powerplay.

But in the last minute of regulation the Giants shut off as Ashley Tait connected on to a Ryan Finnerty pass with 42 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

The Steelers kept up the pressure into the extra period and scored the winner 40 seconds through Jeff Legue despite it looking suspiciously offside.

It was a big win for the Steelers who keep up the pressure on the Giants but the win may proof to give the Sheffield side a bigger psychological edge in the title race later on in the season.

Edinburgh Capitals 2 Nottingham Panthers 6

Down the road in the NIC second place Nottingham were back to full strength and looking to take full advantage of the other two title contenders playing each other.

The Panthers set out their stall early on as Robert Lachowicz and Matt Francis both scored for a two-goal advantage at the first break. It was pressure that continued into the second period as the Panthers doubled the lead before the Capitals got back on the board before Jeff Heerema’s second put up the four goal lead into the final period.

The Capitals second goal came in the third period through Peter Holecko before David-Alexandre Beaureguard finished the scoring.

It was an important win 2 points for the Panthers who move a point closer to the Giants at the top of table.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Uk Hockey Round Up Saturday 3rd December -Steelers Keep Up the Chase as The Blaze Ease their Pressure

With all the personnel changes in sides up and down the UK this week this weekend was going to be key in the race for the title in both the Elite League and the EPL.

Belfast Giants 5 Hull Stingrays 1

Belfast faced their first game without highest point scorer Benoit Doucet and started their game in Hull in an uncharacteristically sluggish way. The irishmen fell behind to a Sylvian Cloutier goal but got their rhythm back almost immediately as McBride levelled the scores two minutes later. The Giants then took the lead themselves on the midway make as Rebek scored on the powerplay and the win was confirmed in the third as Clarke extended the lead and Roberts added the fifth. Belfast got through tonight's game despite the upheaval to their forward line but will need to show more prowess in front of goal in next weekend's big game with fellow title chasers Sheffield.

Cardiff Devils 2 Sheffield Steelers 4

The Sheffield Steelers had the most changed side following the weeks transfer chaos. Gone was Flath and with Rod Sarich out injured the Steelers reintroduced Great Britain international Jonathan Phillips to the side for the first time this season. The Steelers also welcomed former Coventry forward Luke Fulgham into the side. The changes seemed to be paying off as the Steelers took a 3 goal lead by the midway point in the second but almost as soon as that happened Scott Matzka fired the Devils back into the game and when Kenton Smith pulled the visitors back to within one it was game well and truly on in the third period. Despite the pressure that saw the Devils hit the 50 shot marker it was Sheffield forward Jeff Legue who hit the only goal of the game to extend the Steelers lead back to two goals. With a win tonight the Steelers despite the changes to their lines and another defensemen due to be added to the squad in time for the trip to Belfast on Friday the Steelers are showing they are still in this title hunt.

Dundee Stars 2 Coventry Blaze 7

Coventry had found themselves a man down after releasing Luke Fulgham on Thursday also found themselves a goal down early on as Dolan put the Stars ahead. That was a about as good as it got for the visitors as a quartet of goals by the Blaze before the first break left well behind. The goals didn't stop there as the Blaze added two more in the second effectively seal the victory and settle the nerves of the home side. With game all but sealed the third period was rather even affair as Park added Coventry's seventh before Turner added a late consolation for the Stars. It was a big win for the Blaze tonight will help to ease the pressure on the team and Paul Thompson from some sections of the Blaze fans but if Coventry are to turn things around they will need to put in performances like tonights against the top sides. Dundee meanwhile will be buoyed by the 25 shots they managed but after missing 7 powerplay chances it is the offense that will need to shape up if they are to make a push for the play offs.

Edinburgh Capitals 0 Braehead Clan 2

24 hours after taking sixth spot off the Clan the Capitals lost it. Last night's winning performance deserted the Capitals as the Clan dominated. The home team took the lead through Campbell in the first and kept the pressure there after but didn't find a way through until the third period when Jorgensen doubled the advantage. The highlight again for the Capitals was the goaltending performance of Nathan Craze who for the second night in a row gave the Capitals a chance of winning but ultimately they were let down by the attacking lines. The Clan on the other hand will look to this performance to press on into the second half of season and the play offs.

English Premier League

In the EPL title chase Guildford and Slough continued to their head to head as both picked up vital wins against potential banana sink teams. Whilst Telford produced a stunning come back against the Basingstoke Bison to take the two points on offer after penalties at the Basingstoke Ice Arena. The win was enough to lift the Tigers of the bottom as the Phantoms lost the extra point in their game on penalties to the Milton Keynes Lightning.

The EPL's final game was in Bracknell as Manchester paid visit to the John Nike Leisure Centre. Manchester where still missing player coach Tony Hand and centre Stephen Wallace but did produce a performance akin to their title winning form of last season. The win putting some daylight between the top 5 and the rest of the field.

Results

Manchester Phoenix 6 Bracknell Bees 2

Telford Tigers 6 Basingstoke Bison 5 (APS)

Guildford Flames 5 Swindon Wildcats 3

Sheffield Steeldogs 3 Slough Jets 5

Peterborough Phantoms 2 Milton Keynes Lightning 3 (APS)

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

UK Hockey Round Up Friday 2nd December - Drama Off the Ice as Personnel Change

It was a dramatic end to the week in the EIHL as sudden personnel changes shocked the league. The saga started on Thursday night as Coventry Blaze announced that forward Luke Fulgham had left the side with immediate effect. No other details as to why the Canadian, who had been at the side for 2 ½ years since signing from Manchester, but less than 24 hours later on Friday morning Fulgham was in Sheffield signing for the Steelers. The Steelers had earlier announced that defenceman RG Flath had decided not to stay on with the club after his trial period but a replacement is on his way but will not be available until next weekends critical game with league leaders Belfast at the Odyssey. However long term injury hit Great Britain international Jonathan Phillips will return to side for the first time this season at the weekends games. Coventry meanwhile have not announced any new signings to replacement Fulgham but watch this space as Coach Thompson will not be spend long with a short bench.

Elite League

Edinburgh Capitals 2 Dundee Stars 1

The action continued on Friday as the ice as Edinburgh looked to continue their good run of form in Dundee. Against a Stars team that inflected the first defeat in 2 games on the Capitals last weekend in Murrayfield. The Stars took that game 6 – 0 in the Capitals back yard but it was the Capitals that returned the favour by returning to winning ways in Dundee. It was the visitors that took the 2 goal advantage before Dundee fought back late in the second with Lee Mitchell. The pressure continued in the third  from the home team but despite outshooting the Capitals 17 to 7 in the third period could not get past an inspired Nathan Craze as Edinburgh took the 2 points.

The Capitals are now up to sixth place in the league moving over their next opponents the Braehead Clan. The fourth straight home loss for the Stars though means they are 4 points of the playoffs now.

       

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com