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

THE HABS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE AS THEY FALL TO SABRES

The Habs lost another close one on Monday night in a shootout to the Buffalo Sabres.  Montreal was ahead 2-0 but let Buffalo back into the game in the third period. The Habs lost to the same Buffalo Sabres who were just destroyed by the Bruins by a score of 6-2.  This just added insult to injury.  The team had played well in recent victories against the Coyotes and Predators but they were unable to see it through for a third victory in a row.  They let a team in their division take a game from them and they showed everyone that they cannot play at the highest level; at least right now.

Montreal wants to love their team again. The Habs need to recognize their fan base by providing a quality and consistent level of hockey. The fans are not stupid.  The fans know Montreal can't win every night but the meltdown against Buffalo is a big no-no if the Habs want to keep the cheers from turning to boos.

The Buffalo Sabres were over powered for two periods on Monday and the Habs' faithful at the Bell Center were singing victory songs before the third period disaster. But the third period snuck up on Carey price and his team mates and when they final buzzer sounded they were deadlocked at 2-2.  The shootout was a sad affair as Price continued his Swiss cheese imitation from period number 3.  Price just has to be better when it matters.  The Habs need a leader and that task has to fall to Price if he wants to be considered in the elite; at his position in the NHL.

It has been a tough year for hockey fans in Montreal.  They have suffered through some real stinkers.  We think the Habs need to play their backup goalie more often and let Mr.Price ponder the meaning and probability of consistency.  They should have won tonight and with any luck they will win more often if they can get consistency behind the pipes.

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Early tally troubles leads to Islanders 4-1 loss to Vancouver

The New York Islanders (4-7-3) gave up an early first period goal to the Vancouver Canucks (9-8-1), who never looked back in their 4-1 victory over the Isles. Vancouver was able to use their defense to create scoring opportunity against the Isles-who have now lost three straight games.

In the only meeting between these teams, the Isles are still looking for their first victory on the road-as the guys could not get their feet going until the later part of the game. Having an outstanding game in the cage for New York was Evgeni Nabokov, who recorded a season-high 32 saves in the cage.

Vancouver was able to use all of the personnel on the ice to help score their goals, earning the first score of the game at the 1:57 mark, as Aaron Rome (3) banged home a wrap-around attempt by David Booth (6) for a 1-0 lead.

The Canucks were able to find another early scoring opportunity, as with 0:34 minutes into the second period Henrik Sedin (6) took advantage of a screen set up by his teammates to add on to the Vancouver lead.

New York had plenty of opportunities throughout the night, but was stoned by Canucks keeper Roberto Luongo, who earned his 200^th victory in a Vancouver uniform. The cager now has 315 wins in his career thus far, and is climbing his way up the ranks of winning keepers in the NHL.

The Islanders were able to break through on Luongo, when at the 15:09 mark Matt Moulson (4) banged home a nine foot backhanded shot, on a great effort by teammates Michael Grabner (2) and John Tavares (6).

Tavares played the puck aggressively to Grabs, who made an amazing diving pass to Moulson, who banged the puck twice on the cage to cash in on the first New York goal.  The goal for Mat is his second in three games, as the determined forward kept working at the puck until it banged home.

It was at this point in the game that the Islanders needed momentum, and great skating to try to pick up their first victory on the road. Instead it was Vancouver who rose to the occasion, starting the period off with a barrage of shots.

The Canucks took over the momentum of the game at the 2:47 mark when Cody Hodgson (4) deflected a power play goal, which was assisted by Aaron Rome (1) and Chris Higgins (4). David Booth (2) capped the victory off at the 16:59 mark, cashing in on an empty-net goal.

New York returns home to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, to host three of the Original Six teams in a week that’ll test this Islanders team. Fans of the Isles need to keep an eye on the horizon, as there is a storm brewing by the name of ‘El Nino.’ It was reported on the MSG Plus network tonight that Nino Niederreiter, who was injured before the start of the season, has now finished with his conditioning program with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Now the question is when can fans get the chance to see the young star in action.

The first opportunity for ‘El Nino’ to strike for the Islanders will be on Tuesday night, when the red-hot New York Rangers come to the Coliseum. The game is scheduled to air on the MSG Plus network, with face-off slated for 7:00 p.m.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

UK Ice Hockey Round Up - (Who won the key games this week ?)

Elite League

Nottingham Panthers 8 Fife Flyers 1

The Panthers headed into the Kirkcaldy Ice Rink knowing that in the previous meeting Flyers goalie Garrert Zemlak had stopped over 70 shots. Tonight through the Panthers were on unbelievable form.

Lee and Wilson gave the Panthers a two goal lead with goals at either end of the first period. Then it was the turn of Lachowicz, Fox and Beauregard to leave the Panthers 5 up after two periods. Danny Meyers then opened the scoring in the third period and his goal was followed by Heerema and Levers for the Nottingham 8. The Panthers really showed their team effort as all 8 goals were scored by 8 different scorers.

If Fife could take any positives from the game it was that again they managed to score this time it was through Siddall in the third period. 3 games in 3 days was always going to be tough ask and it doesn’t let up for the Flyers who play Hull Stingrays on Tuesday.

Belfast Giants 8 Edinburgh Capitals 2

Over the water from Nottingham’s 8 goal scorers the Belfast Giants were showcasing their British players.

A hat trick from Brit Craig Peacock was backed up with 2 from Robert Dowd and another goal from Mark Garside.   A goal apiece from Dignard and Doucet also helped Belfast put up the 8 in a dominating display. 

Goals from Zembergs and Menton made sure Edinburgh got board. But Edinburgh went 0 for 5 on the powerplay and only managed 20 shots in the entire game as Belfast took 4 points from 6 games over the week and stay top.

Dundee Stars 3 Coventry Blaze 4

The Blaze went into the game looking to build on last weekend’s overtime win against Belfast. Despite having the better of the chances Coventry could only manage a one goal lead through Greg Owen after the first period.

That goal was then cancelled out by Dolan early on the in second. By Coventry’s new signing Woo-Sang Park restored the lead just over a minute later only for Brent Hughes to ensure the scores were level through 2 periods. Luke Fulgham then found the net only for Dan Ceman to equalise again for the Stars but Mclean found the net again for the Blaze on 10 minutes to give them win.

The win though should have been a lot more comfortable for the Blaze who had 49 shots and were 3 for 10 on the powerplay. But after tonight’s performance Paul Thompson will be once again reassessing his powerplay who went into the game after conceding 2 shorthanded goals in last weekend’s overtime win against the Giants.

Braehead Clan 4 Cardiff Devils 3 (AOT)

Braehead’s hat trick hero from Saturday night Michael Bayrack was again on top form. First cancelling Pierce’s and then Birbraer’s goals in the second period and then less than a minute into the third completing his hat trick to give the Clan the lead.

Davies then tied the game up with 6 minutes to go to keep the Devils in the game before Wedderburn capped a 4 point weekend for the Clan with 30 seconds left in the overtime period. That win moved the Clan to within 3 points of the Devils with 2 games in hand.

Hull Stingrays 1 Sheffield Steelers 2

Hull headed into the Motorpoint Arena looking to keep in touch with the midfield in the league table. That didn’t go to plan as Colt King got the home side on the board in the first then Flath doubled the lead at the start of the second period. Mckinney pulled the Stingrays back to within one goal of the Steelers with 3 minutes to go in the second but an equaliser was not forth coming.

The win for the Steelers kept them within 2 points of the Panthers ahead of their meeting next Sunday whilst Hull drop to 2 points behind Braehead in the mid table battle.

English Premier League

Sheffield Steeldogs 2 Peterborough Phantoms 5

Sheffield travelled down the A1 to Peterborough knowing that a win against the bottom side could put them on top of the league table.

It was not to be however as Peterborough picked up their first win since October 29^th.  The Phantoms are now just 1 point of Telford and moving of the foot of the table.

Bracknell Bees 4 Slough Jets 5 (APS)

The Berkshire derby took place Sunday at the Hangar with Bracknell looking to stay in contact with the pack in the EPL whilst Slough looked to consolidate their lead at the top.

With the scores level after 65 minutes it was down to penalties and Davies duly scored his penalty to give the Jets a 4 point weekend and move 3 points ahead at the top of the EPL.

Manchester Phoenix 4 Guildford Flames 9

Manchester’s up and down season continued as after knocking Telford for 9 in the previous night’s game it was their turn to be on the receiving end. The Phoenix were sporting various injuries including player coach Tony Hand on crutches and were no match for the power of the Flames whose clinical finishing proved to be the difference.

Swindon Wildcats 3 Milton Keynes Lightning 2

Milton Keynes had taken the spoils in this home and home match up the previous night and looked to be on their way again as Nick Poole scored 40 seconds in. That lead was then doubled before the end of night by Leigh Jamieson. The Wildcats then fought back this time Watt and then after the break through Hoog. A third second period goal for Swindon came through new signing, former Coventry Blaze forward Aaron Nell. The Wildcats then hung on to keep themselves firmly in the mix.

Basingstoke Bison 3 Telford Tigers 2

The Bison round of the weekend’s action by taking a much needed 4 point weekend. Their victory at Telford kept themselves in the hunt. Despite being in seventh place in the standings Basingstoke are now only 7 points of top spot and only 4 points of second. It is looking like the EPL is still too close to call.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

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THE HABS AND BRUINS COME OUT ON TOP - TURNAROUND IN THE MAKING ?

The Habs and Bruins have not been our favourite teams this year.  These clubs slumped badly out of the gate and they have both underperformed in September and October. The last week has seen a turnaround for both.  It is nice to see that both these teams are playing much better.  Their fans deserve good hockey and we think they are going to get it ; at least for the next little while.   

Momentum is a pain when it is pitted against you but in the case of the  Habs and Bruins, the momo is behind them now and they need to take full advantage of the potential upswing.

The Habs came out on top of a close one with Nashville on Saturday by a score of 2-1.  It was nice to see that Montreal could win without Carey Price in the net.  Peter Budaj shut down the Predators when it was needed and the victory was a huge moral boost for the Canadiens.  Subban played a good game and his leadership on the D was a good sign for the team.   Montreal has just beaten two tough and scrappy teams with their recent victories over the Coyotes and Predators.  This might signal a change for Montreal for this season.   Winning the tough games is a sign of character and god knows the Habs need a character boost.  They are not the glamour team of the past but with character they can expect to compete on a nightly basis.

Boston has also won some key match ups in the last couple of weeks. They demolished Toronto and Buffalo in recent clashes and the offense from last year has come roaring to life.  It looks like the good example of guys like Tyler Seguin has woken up his team mates.  The east better be careful; if Boston stays in this fighting form many opponents will be sent home with their tails between their legs.  We will be watching the Bs closely.  The killer instinct seems to have returned to Boston so watch out NHL.