Friday, 5 October 2018

2018 UK Hockey Yearbook Now Available By Mail Order

The brand new 2018 UK Hockey Yearbook is now available to purchase by mail order.

Please note that this is a slimmed down version, compared to previous editions, as we have had to dispense with the team by team sections due to an increase in print costs and a drop in advertising revenue.  It still remains great value and is, of course, the only book in the world that covers all the leagues in UK ice hockey in so much detail.

You can order your copy now by clicking on the relevant Paypal link below or, if you prefer the more personal touch, you can order a copy from Chris Randall on the Isle of Wight – EMAIL CHRIS .

The book is also available via Amazon but it costs more from them due to their pricing structure and postage costs.

CLICK here for UK and Overseas mailing options and more details about the contents of this year's book: CLICK FOR ORDER OPTIONS AND MORE DETAILS


Monday, 1 October 2018

Cardiff Huskies Win British Para Ice Hockey Association Play Offs 2018

The British Para Ice Hockey Association held their end of season play- offs at the Planet Ice rink in Widnes over the weekend.

The two semi-finals on Saturday saw league champions Kingston Kestrels from Hull beat Peterborough Phantoms 7-2 and Cardiff Huskies beat Manchester Mayhem 2-1.

In the third place game on Sunday morning, the Mayhem overcame Peterborough in a close and entertaining game, winning 6-4.

In the final, Kingston had to ice a depleted team and Cardiff came out 9-4 winners in another highly entertaining game.

Full match and player stats are as follows:


British Para Ice Hockey League Play Offs 2018  – Planet Ice Widnes


Sunday 30th September, 5.15pm – Play Off Final
Kingston Kestrels 4 – Cardiff Huskies 9
Period Scores: 2-1, 1-4, 1-4
Shots On Goal: Kestrels 20 – Huskies 24 (7-11, 8-5, 4-9)
Penalties In Minutes: Kestrels 2 – Huskies 0

Team Lineups & Stats
Kingston Kestrels: Steve Gibson – NM (45min), James Cooper-Birchnall, Tony King, Simon Berry, Matt Woollias – C (1+2), Matt Clarkson (3+0, 2PIM)

Cardiff Huskies: Tyler Christopher (5+3), Josh Campbell (1+1), Paul Furber – C (3+1), Jon Le Galloudec, Russell Willey (0+1), Gareth Rees – NM (45min), Christopher Smart, Susan Cook, Hannah Tomsett

MVPs:    Kestrels - Matt Clarkson / Cardiff - Tyler Christopher


Sunday 30th September, 11.15am – Third Place Game
Peterborough Phantoms 4 – Manchester Mayhem 6
Period Scores: 0-2, 3-2, 1-2
Shots On Goal: Phantoms 22 – Mayhem 29 (2-12, 9-8, 9-11)
Penalties In Minutes: Phantoms 0 – Mayhem 25

Team Lineups & Stats
Peterborough Phantoms: Dan Grange (0+1), Callum Shakespeare (1+0), Scotty Trigg-Turner - A (1+0), Ben Vernon, Darren Brown – A (1+0), Matt Coleman - C (1+1), David O’Meara – NM (45min), Naomi Adie. Coach: Ian Offers

Manchester Mayhem: Doug Hankinson - NM (45min), Dean Lahan (25PIM), Graham Wilson, Peggy Assinck (1+1), Dom Cosgrove, James Rogerson, Karl Nicholson (3+2), Anthony Booth (2+1), Rob Allen (0+1). Coach: Peter Hagan

MVPs: Mayhem – Anthony Booth / Phantoms – David O’Meara




Saturday 29th September, 11.15am – Semi Final 1
Kingston Kestrels 7 – Peterborough Phantoms 2
Period Scores: 2-0, 3-2, 2-0
Shots On Goal: Kestrels 25 – Phantoms 16 (8-2, 9-8, 6-8)
Penalties In Minutes: Kestrels 6 – Phantoms 2

Team Lineups & Stats

Kingston Kestrels: Steve Gibson – NM (45min), James Cooper-Birchnall, Tony King (2PIM), Simon Berry (1+2), Matt Woollias – C (1+3), Matt Clarkson (5+2, 2PIM), James Morris (0+1, 2PIM)

Peterborough Phantoms: Dan Grange, Callum Shakespeare, Scotty Trigg-Turner - A (0+1), Ben Vernon, Darren Brown - A, Matt Coleman - C (2+0, 2PIM), David O’Meara – NM (45min), Naomi Adie. Coach: Ian Offers

MVPs:  Kestrels -  James Morris / Phantoms – Matt Coleman

Saturday 29th September, 7.15pm – Semi Final 2
Manchester Mayhem 1 – Cardiff Huskies 2
Period Scores: 1-0, 0-0, 0-2
Shots On Goal: Mayhem 14 – Huskies 22 (6-6, 3-9, 5-7)
Penalties In Minutes: Mayhem 2 – Huskies 2

Team Lineups & Stats
Manchester Mayhem: Doug Hankinson - NM, Darren Pomfrett – NM (45min), Dean Lahan, Graham Wilson, Peggy Assinck, Dom Cosgrove, James Rogerson, Karl Nicholson (1+0), Anthony Booth (0+1, 2PIM), Rob Allen (0+1). Coach: Peter Hagan

Cardiff Huskies: Tyler Christopher (1+0), Josh Campbell (0+1), Paul Furber – C (1+0), Jon Le Galloudec, Russell Willey, Gareth Rees – NM (45min), Christopher Smart, Susan Cook, Hannah Tomsett, Bench 2PIM. Coach:  Andy Brown

MVPs: Mayhem- Rob Allen / Huskies – Jon Le Galloudec

 
Tournament Officials:
Match Officials: Chris Povall and Matt Alway
Timekeeper: Colin Ellis
Scorer: Lucy Breeze
Announcer: Paul Breeze

The MVP Awards were sponsored by Simon Berry & Ice Hockey Review

You can find out more about Para Ice Hockey and see lots more great photos from the play off weekend on the BPIHA Facebook page HERE




 
 


Tuesday, 7 August 2018

British Para Ice Hockey League: Manchester Mayhem 7 - Sheffield Steelkings 0

The Mayhem sledge hockey team boosted their chances of qualifying for the end of season playoffs with a 7-0 win over the Sheffield Steelkings in the British Para Ice Hockey League at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The first period was very close, with the only goal coming in the 6th minute scored by the Mayhem’s captain and GB international player Karl Nicholson.

The Sheffield team put in a good and spirited performance but they were unable to put any amount of sustained pressure on the Mayhem goal and were out-shot over the course of the game by 40 to 5.

Anthony Booth put the Mayhem two goals up with a goal just 2 minutes from the restart and the match was decided in two short bursts of activity in the second period. A second goal for Booth came on 19 minutes and Karl Nicholson scored again less than 60 seconds later to put the Mayhem 4-0 up.

Then a "hat-trick" of goals within 69 seconds by Karl Nicholson - on 28.21, 28.33 and 29.30 – completely killed the game off with just seconds remaining in the period.

The third period was very tense and enjoyable to watch but saw no more scoring and the game finished at 7-0 to the Mayhem.

Wyre Seagulls Win Summer Classic Cup - Play Off Semis Lined Up


The Riverside Raiders team lost their last group game of the Summer Classic Cup competition with a 9-8 defeat away to the Kingston City Knights in Hull on Sunday.
The result means that the Raiders finish the group stage of the competition in 4th place out of 6 teams but still qualify for the play offs, where they will play group winners Wyre Seagulls in a one-off semi-final match away in Blackburn.
The other semi-final will see runners up Flintshire Phantoms at home to third place Kingston City Knights with the two winners meeting up in the final in Sheffield in early September.

Monday, 30 July 2018

Summer Classic Cup: Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 4 - Kingston City Knights (Hull) 6

The Riverside Raiders had a frustrating time in their last home game of the Summer Classic Cup group stage as they lost 4-6 to the Kingston City Knights at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The visitors were by far the quickest off the blocks and opened the scoring after just 90 seconds of the game. The Raiders found themselves 0-3 down by the end of the first period and, as it turned out, were unable to make up the deficit, despite playing much better for the remainder of the game.

James Kelly scored the Raiders’ first goal just 66 seconds from the restart but the Knights restored their 3-goal advantage with another strike 3 minutes later.

Two more goals for the Raiders – from Eemeli Vuorihovi after 28 minutes and Laurence Le Vay on 36 narrowed the deficit to just 1 goal but, once again, the Knights found the net at the right moment with a goal in the 38th minute to lead 3-5 heading into the final period.

The Raiders came out really fired up for the final 20 minutes of play and they actually had two goals disallowed which might otherwise have drawn them level. Instead the Knights scored their 6th and final goal on 50 minutes, leaving the Raiders too much to do in the closing stages.

A powerplay goal in the 52nd minute for Stephen Harvey finished off the scoring for the evening but the Knights were able to go back to Hull celebrating a 4-6 victory.

The Raiders play their final group game away to the Kingston City Knights this Sunday 5th August at Hull Arena, face off 12.30pm.

*****

The Mayhem sledge hockey team are in action this Sunday 5th August when they take on the Sheffield Steelkings in the British Para Ice Hockey League at Planet Ice Widnes.

Both teams are chasing points to qualify for the end of season play offs and it should be an entertaining encounter. The game faces off at 4.30pm and admission is free.

Monday, 9 July 2018

Elks Trophy Triumph At Inaugural Widnes Rec Tournament


Photo by CJ O'Shea

The Widnes-based Earle Road Elks ice hockey team picked up their first ever piece of silverware after beating the Trafford Thunder in a dramatic final at the inaugural recreational ice hockey tournament held at Planet Ice Widnes over the weekend.

The Elks had finished second in the B Competition qualifying group stage with two wins from their three games, with the only defeat coming against the Thunder who topped the group with three wins from three.

The final was incredibly close with the Elks taking the lead after just 3 minutes and then having to defend against waves of Thunder attacks, picking up several penalties and, at one point, having three players in the penalty box at once.

The Altrincham-based Thunder team finally managed to equalise, setting up a thrilling last few minutes during which the result could easily have gone either way. Then, with the prospect of a penalty shoot-out looming, the Elks broke away and fired in the winning goal with just seconds left on the clock.

The tournament victory represents a huge success for the Widnes rink’s least experienced team which only began playing competitive games earlier this year.

The other Widnes team in the B group, the Halton Huskies, finished 3rd overall with 1 win from their 3 games beating bottom team Coventry Centurions before losing to both the Thunder and Elks.

In a separate competition held at the same time, the Widnes-based Riverside Raiders team had a difficult time, playing with a reduced roster and losing all four of their group games.

The A Competition - which was for more experienced teams - was dominated by the Coventry Snipers, a team made up mainly of Czech and Slovak players who are now living in England, who won all four of their group games, conceding just 1 goal while scoring 28.

The Snipers beat second place Altrincham Jets 6-0 in a slightly one-sided final and the Deeside–based Flintshire Phantoms beat Blackpool Seagulls 4-1 to secure third place.

*****
The next competitive ice hockey game at Planet Ice Widnes is on Sunday 29th July when the Riverside Raiders take on the Kingston City Knights in their final home group game of the Summer Classic Cup competition. Face off is at 4.30pm and admission is free.


Saturday, 30 June 2018

Join The Wild Women For the 2018/19 Season

The Widnes Wild women’s team are recruiting for the 2018/19 season and are keen to attract new players as well as a new head coach.

The Wild Women play in the EIHA’s Women’s Premier League and are the only women’s team in the north west to play at that national level.

They have been in the WPL for three seasons, qualified for the end of season play offs in two of those years and finished runners up in 2015/16.

While, obviously, wishing to remain competitive, the Wild women are keen to encourage new talent and nurture prospective players. As such, last season saw them hand WPL debuts to a number of players who had never played senior league hockey before, coming from backgrounds such as junior teams elsewhere, university hockey or even roller hockey.

There is a wide range of ages and experience on the current Wild women roster with players aged from 15 to 60 - and seasoned internationals sharing line duties with season debutants.

Wild women training starts again in August and prospective new players are asked to get in touch with the team via Facebook or Twitter.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/widneswildwomen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/widneswildwomen
 
The Wild women are also looking for a new Head Coach for the 2018/19 season.
The requirements are as follows:
Must hold a valid EIHA Level 2 licence.
Ability to plan and lead weekly training sessions, with the support of Assistant Coaches.
Available to travel with the team to bench coach a 14-game season (7x home, 7x away).

Once again, interested parties are invited to contact the team via Facebook or Twitter:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/widneswildwomen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WidnesWildWomen  
 

On A Personal Note:
A lot of people don’t realise there is such a thing as women’s ice hockey and those who do are often disparaging about it for one reason or another.

I have always been interested in women’s hockey – dating right back to the days in the 1980s when the Peterborough Ravens were early English league champions.

In fact, the rec team that I used to play for had regular "friendly" games against the Ravens - although these were anything but friendly and usually ended up with us getting battered both physically and score-wise!

Women’s hockey isn’t quite that aggressive these days and is played on a "non-checking" basis. While it may come across as tame in comparison with men’s league games, this means that there is a lot more emphasis on skating, passing and positioning techniques, which in a lot of ways makes the games more interesting. There are not so much stoppages, less niggly posturing and arguing and the game flows much more freely.

I have been reporting on the Wild women’s games since they started playing at Widnes three years ago and can safely say that I enjoy those matches just as much as the Wild NIHL games.

If you have the chance to go and watch a women’s game at your local rink, do go along and give them your support. There are many women’s teams across the country playing in Elite League, Premier League and D1 North & South and also U16s teams in some areas as well.

Paul Breeze 
 




Thursday, 21 June 2018

Halton Huskies and Blackburn Buccaneers in 12 Goal Thriller (Again!)



James Kelly was the Huskies' top scorer against the Buccaneers
with 3 goals (Photo by Geoff White - www.gw-images.com) 
Sunday 17th June 2018 – Challenge Match
Halton Huskies 6 - Blackburn Buccaneers 6
Period Scores: 1-1, 5-1, 0-4
Penalties In Minutes: Huskies 20 - Buccaneers 8
Shots on Goal (unofficial): Huskies 56 – Buccaneers 33 (19-9, 18-10, 19-14)
Match Officials: Fraley / Wang




The Halton Huskies played out a thrilling and closely fought 6-6 draw with the Blackburn Buccaneers in a challenge game at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The visitors scored first after just 2 minutes with a goal from Patrick Thompson but James Kelly equalised for the Huskies with a well taken short handed goal after 15 minutes for a score of 1-1 at the end of the first period.

Josh Grocutt fired the Huskies into the lead with another shorthanded goal just 43 seconds into the second period but Buccaneers’ Captain Michael Walsh equalised some 4 minutes later to tie the scores again at 2-2.

The Huskies moved up a gear after this and scored 4 unanswered goals – from Kelly (2), Grocutt and Jeff Chapman Watson – to lead 6-2 at the end of the second period.

The third period was very tense and remained goal-less until the 49th minute when the Buccaneers took advantage of a delayed penalty call and Raivis Apfelbaums scored to give them a lifeline back into the game. A second strike from Apfelbaums just 3 minutes later pulled the score back to 6-4 and the Buccaneers visibly upped their game.

The Huskies began to look tired in the latter stages and tried valiantly to defend their lead against the resurgent Buccaneers but goals from Michael McLoughlin on 55 minutes and Matthew Patterson on 56, tied the score at 6-6, setting up a nail biting finish.

As it was, there was no more scoring and the 6-6 result was a fair reflection of the game overall.


Full Line Ups & Player Stats:

Halton Huskies: Anna Barnett, Connor Cooper, Daniel Trust (4PIM), David Simonds, Eduards Savickis, James Kelly (3+0, 12PIM), James Behan, James Williams, Jeff Chapman-Watson (1+1, 2 PIM), Joel Clarke (NM), John Carter, Josh Grocutt (2+0), Michael Parkin, Miquel Smith (2PIM), Nathan Hewitt (0+1), Paul Barratt, Stephen Burns (NM), Stephen Hay


Blackburn Buccaneers:
Chris Beesley – A (2PIM), Dan Watson, Daniel Ewen, Glenn Rattray (NM), James Longworth, Mark Jenkins, Matthew Patterson (1+1), Michael Walsh – C (1+1, 2PIM) Michael McLoughlin (1+0), Patrick Thompson (1+2), Raivis Apfelbaums (2+1), Samuel Towse, Simon Pickering – A (0+1, 2PIM), Thomas Laurie (2PIM)


Netminders:
Stephen Burns (Huskies): 27.34, SA 12, GA2 = SA% 83.33%
Joel Clark (Huskies): 32.26, SA 21, GA4 = SA% 80.95%
Glenn Rattray (Buccaneers): 60mins SA 56, GA 6 = SA% 89.28%




Wednesday, 20 June 2018

Ice Hockey Summer Classic: Riverside Raiders 3 - Wyre Seagulls 12


MATCH DETAILS:
Sunday 17th June 2018 – Ice Hockey Summer Classic Cup

Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 3 - Wyre Seagulls (Blackburn) 12
Period Scores: 1-5, 2-5, 0-2
Penalties In Minutes: Raiders 16 - Seagulls 12

Shots on Goal: Raiders 18 - Seagulls 71 (7-26, 7-19, 4-26)
Match Officials: Fraley / Wang


The Widnes-based Riverside Raiders lost out 3-12 to league leaders Wyre Seagulls in their Summer Classic match at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The opening stages were, in fact, very close and it took until the 10th minute for the deadlock to be broken when Kieron Hardman put the visitors in front. Laurence le Vay equalised for the Raiders just two minutes later but any hopes of a close game were dashed when the Seagulls scored 4 unanswered goals – from Christian Wareing, Matthew Hook, Nicholas Hageman and Dan Coxon – to take a 1-5 lead into the first break.

Unfortunately for the home fans, that trend continued into the second period with the Seagulls hitting 3 more (Hardman x2 and Adam Fleet) before Jack Walker steadied the Raiders’ ship with a goal on 27 minutes.

The Seagulls restored their 7-goal advantage just 20 seconds later with a second goal for Fleet and Mark Jenkins made it 2-10 with just 33 minutes gone on the clock.

A second goal from Jack Walker gave the Raiders something to cheer about on 35 minutes but things didn’t look particularly promising for the home side as they trailed 3-10 at the end of the second period.

The flow was stemmed somewhat in a rather physical third period which saw a spate of penalties being called for body checks on both sides and, at one point, six players were sitting in the penalty boxes.

Powerplay goals from the Seagulls – scored by Hook and Ryan McNeill - rounded off the scoring for the game and the 3-12 victory consolidated the Wyre Seagulls’ position at the top of the Summer Classic league table.

The Raiders have two games – both in Sheffield – in the coming weeks as they play the Steel City Hawks away this Sunday 24th June and then face the Sheffield Ice Tigers the week after on 1st July.

They are next at home – for their last Summer Classic group game - on Sunday 29th July when the play the Hull-based Kingston City Knights at Planet Ice Widnes.

The Wyre Seagulls also visit IceSheffield twice in July – playing the Ice Tigers on Sunday 8th and Steel City Hawks on Saturday 21st in their final two group games.

 

Report by Paul Breeze


Team Line Ups and Player Stats

Riverside Raiders:
Adam Jenkins, Adam Murphy, Anthony Hughes - A, Ben Donkin (6PIM), Bobby Samari (0+1, 2PIM), Charles Emanuelsson, Elizabeth Wright (0+1, 2PIM), Howard Hughes (0+1), Jack Walker – A (2+0), James Kelly (0+1), Jordan Birtwistle, Laurence le Vay – C (1+0, 4PIM), Luke Williams (0+1), Michael Filek, Michael Rogers (NM), Nick Jackson (2PIM), Rastislav Geroc , Stephen Harvey

Wyre Seagulls: Adam Fleet (2+1, 2PIM), Michael Gallery (NM), Benjamin Cleary (0+1), Christian Wareing (0+5, 2PIM), Chris Brumby, Conor Duthie (0+2), Craig Pennington, Dan Coxon (1+0), Jonathan Brumby (2PIM), Kieron Hardman (3+2, 2PIM), Mark Jenkins (1+0), Matthew Hook (2+1), Nicholas Hageman (1+0, 2PIM), Ryan McNeill (2+0), Thomas Chadwick (0+1, 2PIM)


Netminders:
Mike Rogers (Raiders): 60mins, SA 71, GA12 = SA% 83.09%

Michael Gallery (Seagulls): 60mins SA 18, GA 3 = SA% 83.33%

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Summer Classic: Flintshire Phantoms 7 - Riverside Raiders 5

MATCH DETAILS:
Sunday 10th June – Ice Hockey Summer Classic Cup
Flintshire Phantoms (Deeside) 7 - Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 5
Period Scores: 2-1, 3-1, 2-3
Penalties In Minutes: Phantoms 11 - Raiders 34
Match Officials: Povall / Alway

Local rivals the Deeside-based Flintshire Phantoms and Widnes-based Riverside Raiders played out a fascinating and highly entertaining game in the Summer Classic cup on Sunday, with the North Wales team coming out 7-5 winners.

Holding the higher place in the league table and having already won 0-6 away in Widnes back in May, the Phantoms went into the game with the upper hand but the Raiders were hopeful of taking back local bragging rights and the result was a finely balanced and closely fought encounter.

The Phantoms opened the scoring after 4 minutes through Ken Valyear but Mike Teinert equalised for the Raiders just 3 minutes later. A goal for George Perrett handed the hosts a 2-1 lead heading into the first break but another equaliser – from Mike Filek just 4 minutes from the restart - put the Raiders back on level terms.

Three straight goals for the Phantoms – from Jason James, Valyear again, and Ondrej Liebelt gave the Flintshire team a significant advantage and they led 5-2 after two periods.

A goal from Jack Walker after 45 minutes gave the Raiders hope of a late surge but they were pegged back again by a David Meadows strike on 48 minutes to make the score 6-3.

Walker struck again just 40 seconds later to drag the score back to 6-4 but Robin Spencer restored the 3-goal cushion with a goal on 52 minutes.

Laurence le Vay rounded off the scoring with a 5th goal for the Raiders on 58 minutes and a bit of pushing and shoving at the end saw misconduct penalties being handed out to Phantoms’ James Ashbrook and Raiders’ Ben Donkin.

The Raiders have an early chance to put Sunday’s defeat behind them when they entertain league leaders Wyre Seagulls this Sunday 17th June at Planet Ice Widnes. The game faces off at 4.30pm and admission is free.

The same evening, the Halton Huskies take on the Blackburn Buccaneers at Widnes in a challenge game. That game faces off at 8.30pm and admission is also free.

The Flintshire Phantoms are away to the Altrincham Aardvarx on Saturday 23rd June in a challenge game and are next at home the next day when they entertain the Sheffield Ice Tigers at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday 24th June.

You can find out more about the Phantoms on their Facebook page HERE

Report by Paul Breeze

Team Line Ups and Player Stats
Flintshire Phantoms: Brian Chalmers, Chris Gorden, Chris Dalavalle (0+1), Daniel Ryall (NM – 29.33 / 3 goals), David Meadows (1+0, 2PIM), Gareth Jones (2PIM), George Perrett (1+0), James Ashbrook (7PIM + GM), Jason James (1+0), Jason McGee, Mark Smith (NM – 30.27 / 2 goals), Ondrej Liebelt (1+0), Robin Spencer (1+0), Ryan Clark, Steven Furber, Stirling Steeves, Thomas Wilson, Patrik Vazan, Ken Valyear (2+0)
Riverside Raiders: Adam Jenkins, Ben Donkin (16PIM), Bobby Samari, Elizabeth Wright (0+2), Howard Hughes, Jack Walker (2+0, 2PIM), James Kelly, Jordan Birtwistle, Laurence le Vay (1+0), Luke Williams, Michael Filek (1+0, 14PIM), Michael Teinert (1+0), Michael Rogers (NM, 60 mins - 7 goals), Nick Jackson, Oskar Emmanuelsson (0+1), Rasti Geroc, Rob Melvin, Stephen Harvey

Monday, 28 May 2018

Ice Hockey Summer Classic: Riverside Raiders 14 - Sheffield Ice Tigers 3

MATCH DETAILS:
Sunday 27th May 2018 – Ice Hockey Summer Classic Cup
Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 14 – Sheffield Ice Tigers 3
Period Scores: 4-1, 4-0, 6-2
Penalties In Minutes: Raiders 20 – Ice Tigers10

Shots On Goal: Raiders 46 – Ice Tigers 25 (8-6, 15-9, 23-10)

Match Officials: Povall / Ormes

The Widnes-based Riverside Raiders team picked up their second win of the Summer Classic Cup competition with a comprehensive 14-3 victory over a short benched Sheffield Ice Tigers team at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

Despite the scoreline, this game was not as one-sided as it appears and was very entertaining throughout. The Ice Tigers gave a very good account of themselves, only tiring through lack of numbers in the latter stages of the game.

The visitors actually took the lead with just 31 seconds gone on the clock with a goal from Kyle Midgley but Anthony Hughes levelled the score for the Raiders just 2 minutes later. Laurence le Vay edged the Raiders ahead on 7 minutes and goals from Hughes, again, and Luke Williams, gave the home side a 4-1 lead at the first break.

The Raiders had a bit more of the play in the second period and unanswered goals from James Kelly, Jack Walker, Hughes and Mike Filek put them 8-1 ahead at the end of the 40 minutes.

The Ice Tigers were visibly tired by the third period, having played all game with less than two full lines and the Raiders, not surprisingly, romped away with the game at this point.

James Kelly scored his second goal of the game on 43 minutes and then Anthony Hughes scored two goals within 23 seconds of each other (his 4th and 5th of the game) around the 46th minute mark to make the score 11-1 to the Raiders.

Mike Teinert scored a 12th goal for the home side on 49 minutes and Ben Donkin made it 13 2 minutes later.

A late rally saw the Ice Tigers score two goals in the closing minutes of the game – Kyle Midgley hitting his second on 56 minutes and Samuel Renshaw with just 64 seconds left on the clock - but a goal inbetween from James Kelly secured his hat-trick and handed the Raiders a 14-3 victory.

The Riverside Raiders are back in action on Sunday 10th June when they play the Flintshire Phantoms away at Deeside. They are next at home on Sunday 17th June when they entertain the Wyre Seagulls in a 4.30pm face off at Planet Ice Widnes.

Report by Paul Breeze


Team Line Ups and Player Stats

Riverside Raiders:
Anthony Hughes (5+0), Ben Donkin (1+0, 6PIM), Eemeli Vuorihovi (0+2), Elizabeth Wright, Jack Walker (1+2), James Kelly (3+2), Jordan Birtwistle (0+1), Laurence le Vay (1+2), Luke Williams (1+0), Michael Filek (1+2), Michael Teinert (1+0), Michael Rogers (NM, 60mins - 3 goals SA88.00% ), Nathan Berry (12PIM), Nick Jackson, Rasti Geroc, Ross Holland (0+1, 2PIM), Stephen Harvey

Sheffield Ice Tigers: Daniel Glue (4PIM), David Gorog, Gatis Kubis, James Clarke (NM, 60 Mins SA69.56% ), Joseph Hawnt, Kyle Midgley (2+0), Rory Ross-Docherty, Ruslans Gailitis (2 PIM), Samuel Renshaw (1+1, 4 PIM), Thomas Wright

Sunday, 13 May 2018

Ice Hockey Summer Classic: Wyre Seagulls 6 - Riverside Raiders 4

MATCH DETAILS:
Saturday 12th May 2018 – Ice Hockey Summer Classic Cup
Wyre Seagulls (Blackburn) 6 - Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 4
Period Scores: 2-0, 2-2, 2-2
Penalties In Minutes: Seagulls 14 - Raiders 10

Match Official: Jake Apsley

 


The Wyre Seagulls and Riverside Raiders played out an entertaining and close fought game in the Ice Hockey Summer Classic at Blackburn Arena on Saturday night, resulting in a 6-4 victory for the home side.

The Seagulls took the lead after 12 minutes with a short-handed goal from Adam Fleet and Mark Jenkins doubled the advantage 4 minutes later. The Raiders levelled the score with two quick goals early in the second period – with strikes from Michael Filek and Laurence le Vey – but Fleet edged the home side back in front less than a minute later. A goal from Wyre’s Kieron Hardman at the midway point of the game made the score 4-2 and that was the last goal of the second period.

Adam Fleet scored his hat-trick goal 3 minutes into the third period to put the Seagulls 5-2 up but two more quick goals – from Jack Walker and Jordan Birtwistle - dragged the Raiders back into contention at 5-4 with some 12 minutes left to play.

There were chances for both teams during a tense closing phase but the Seagulls made sure of the win with a goal from team captain Dan Coxon with just 2 minutes left on the clock.



The win lifts the Wyre Seagulls up to second place in the group table – level on points with leaders Flintshire Phantoms, with 6 points, but with an inferior goal difference - and those two teams meet this Sunday 20th May at Blackburn Arena in a fascinating "battle of the top two".




The Riverside Raiders are next in action on Sunday 27th May when they entertain the Sheffield Ice Tigers in a 4.30pm face off at Planet Ice Widnes.

 

Report by Paul Breeze


Team Line Ups and Player Stats

Riverside Raiders:
Anthony Hughes (0+1), Ben Donkin (2PIM), Daniel Watts, Eemeli Vuorihovi (0+1, 2PIM), Elizabeth Wright (0+1), Howard Hughes, Jack Walker (1+0, 2PIM), James Kelly, James Behan, Jordan Birtwistle (1+0), Laurence le Vay (1+0), Luke Williams, Michael Filek (1+0), Michael Rogers (NM, 60 mins - 6 goals), Peter O’Mahoney (2PIM), Rastislav Geroc , Stephen Harvey

Wyre Seagulls: Adam Fleet (3+0), Alex Blackshaw (NM, 60 mins - 4 goals), Benjamin Cleary, Christian Wareing (2PIM), Chris Brumby, Conor Duthie, Craig Pennington, Dan Coxon (1+0), David May, Jonathan Brumby (0+1, 6PIM), Jordan Bradshaw, Kieron Hardman (1+2), Kurtis Hall (2PIM), Mark Kay (2PIM), Mark Jenkins (1+0), Matt Duncan (2PIM)

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Ice Hockey Summer Classic: Riverside Raiders 0 - Flintshire Phantoms 6



MATCH DETAILS:
Sunday 6th May 2018 – Ice Hockey Summer Classic Cup
Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 0 – Flintshire Phantoms (Deeside) 6
Period Scores: 0-2, 0-1, 0-3
Penalties In Minutes: Raiders 20 – Phantoms 0

Match Officials: Povall / Alway


The Widnes-based Riverside Raiders team missed out on the chance to go top of their Summer Classic Cup group table after a disappointing 0-6 defeat to local rivals Flintshire Phantoms at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The Phantoms opened the scoring after 4 minutes through George Perrett and Chris Dallavalle doubled their advantage after 8. While not playing particularly badly, the Raiders seemed to have trouble making any inroads through the Phantoms defence and, when they did get a breakthrough, they were kept out by the Flintshire netminding duo of Daniel Ryall and Mark Smith – who played half the game each and were solid throughout.

A third goal for the Phantoms – scored by David Meadows in the 28th minute – put the visitors further ahead and left the Raiders with a lot of catching up to do in the final period.

Three more goals from the visitors – scored by Jason James in the 45th minute, Dallavalle in the 49th and James again in the 58th - gave a final scoreline that didn’t truly reflect the game as a whole but  credit goes to the Phantoms team for their efficient and workmanlike performance – and, indeed, their discipline in going all game penalty-free, despite the occasional provocation from the Raiders ranks.

The Flintshire Phantoms remain top of the group table with their 100% record intact and 6 points from their 3 wins. The Sheffield–based Steel City Hawks are second with 4 points from 3 games and, following an exciting penalty shoot-out win over the Sheffield Ice Tigers at the weekend, the Wyre Seagulls are in third place – also with 4 points.

The Riverside Raiders are back in action next Saturday 12th May when they play the Wyre Seagulls away in Blackburn. They are next at home on Sunday 27th May when they entertain the Sheffield Ice Tigers in a 4.30pm face off at Planet Ice Widnes.

The Flintshire Phantoms are away to the Wyre Seagulls on Sunday 20th May and are next at home the week after when they entertain the Steel City Hawks at Deeside Leisure Centre on Sunday 27th May.

Report by Paul Breeze


Team Line Ups and Player Stats

Riverside Raiders:
Anthony Hughes, Ben Donkin (16PIM), Callum Fraine, Eemeli Vuorihovi, Howard Hughes, Jack Walker, James Kelly, James Behan, Jordan Birtwistle, Laurence le Vay, Luke Williams, Michael Filek (2PIM), Michael Teinert, Michael Rogers (NM, 60 mins - 6 goals), Nick Jackson (2PIM), Rasti Geroc (1 + 1), Stephen Harvey


Flintshire Phantoms: Brian Chalmers, Chris Gorden, Chris Dalavalle (2+0), Daniel Ryall (NM – 31.58 / 0 goals), David Meadows (1+1), Gareth Jones, George Perrett (1+1), James Ashbrook, Jason James (2+0), Jason McGee, Mark Smith (NM – 28.02 / no goals), Oliver Meadows, Ondrej Liebelt (0+3), Robin Spencer, Ryan Clark, Steven Furber, Stirling Steeves, Thomas Wilson

Monday, 30 April 2018

Blackburn Buccaneers And Halton Huskies in 12-Goal Thriller


Photo by Kat Garner
MATCH DETAILS:
Saturday 28th April 2018 – Challenge Match
Blackburn Buccaneers 8 - Halton Huskies 4
Period Scores: 4-2, 4-2, 0-0
Penalties In Minutes: Buccaneers 6 - Huskies 2

Match Official: L Wright

On the night that the Great Britain team won the gold medal in Budapest and, with it, promotion to Pool A of the World Championships for the first time in 25 years, the Blackburn Buccaneers and Widnes-based Halton Huskies played out an exciting challenge game at Blackburn Arena on Saturday night, resulting in an 8-4 win for the home side.

The Buccaneers opened up the scoring with a goal within 90 second of the start from Simon Pickering and were 2-0 up after a strike from Mark Jenkins on 5minutes. The Huskies hit a goal back through Jeff Chapman-Watson with 9 and half minutes gone but the Buccaneers restored their 2-goal lead just 20 seconds later with a goal from Michael Walsh.

A second goal from Walsh on 15 minutes put the Buccaneers 4-1 ahead but a strike from Huskies’ Anthony Hughes kept the margin at two goals heading into the first break.

The Huskies upped their game in the second period but any chance of pulling themselves back into the reckoning were lost as the Buccaneers scored three unanswered goals between 27 and 32 minutes – courtesy of Scott Anthony-Jones, Karl Milton and Simon Pickering - to give themselves what would turn out to be an unassailable lead.

The Huskies then hit back with two quick goals of their own - from Jeff Chapman Watson and Michael Parkin – to bring the score to 7-4 but anther goal from Jenkins just 40 seconds later put the Buccaneers firmly in control.

Rather unusually, the last 25 minutes of the game were played out goal-less and the scored remained 8-4 to the Buccaneers at the end of 60 minutes.

The two teams meet again in the return fixture on Sunday 17th June at Planet Ice Widnes – 7.30pm face off.


Full Line Ups & Player Stats:

Blackburn Buccaneers:
Simon Pickering (2+2), Karl Milton (1+0), Carl Everitt, Sam Towse, Michael McLoughlin (0+3), Scott Anthony Jones (1+0, 6PIM), Chris Beesley, Daniel Ewen, James Longworth, Michael Walsh (2+0), Mark Jenkins (2+0), Adam Bolton, Jade Bolton, Dan Watson, Glen Rattray - nm


Halton Huskies:
Connor Cooper, Eduards Savickis, Howard Hughes, James Kelly, James Behan, James Williams, Jeff Chapman-Watson (2+0), Anthony Hughes (1+1), David Simonds, Daniel Trust (2PIM), Kevin Ashcombe, Michael Parkin (1+0), Mike Smith, Paul Barratt, Thomas Jenkins, Joel Clark - nm

Monday, 23 April 2018

Mayhem Lose Out To Kestrels In Sledge Season Opener


Sunday 22nd April 2018 – British Para Ice Hockey League
Manchester Mayhem 1 – Kingston Kestrels 9 (at Widnes)
Period Scores: 0-3, 0-2, 1-4
Shots on Goal: Mayhem 14 – Kestrels 30
Penalties in Minutes: Mayhem 0 – Kestrels 0

Match Officials: Tadeusz Kolarz & Simon Anders

Team Line-Ups & Scorers:
Mayhem: Dougy Hankinson (NM), Karl Nicholson (0+1), Graham Wilson, Dean Lahan, Anthony Booth (1+0), Rob Allen, Andrew Thompson, James Rogerson

Kestrels: Matthew Woollias (2+0), Matt Clarkson (7+0), James Morris, Tony King (0+1), Simon Berry, Ian Houliston (NM), Stephen Gibson, Dave Blakeston

The Manchester Mayhem sledge hockey team slumped to a disappointing 1-9 defeat in the opening game of the 2018 British Para Ice Hockey League season against the Hull-based Kingston Kestrels at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The game saw last season’s play off champions, the Mayhem, paired up against last season’s league title winners - the Kestrels - and was expected to be a cracking curtain raiser for the 2018 season, which is played throughout the summer months.

With the sport having received a lot of TV exposure at the recent Winter Paralympic games in South Korea, there was a good sized crowd in attendance but nothing seemed to go the way of the home team.

After a close start, the visitors scored the opening goal after 5 minutes of play and led 0-3 at the end of the first period. It was 0-5 at the end of the second period but a goal from the Mayhem’s Anthony Booth at the start of the third gave the home side some hope of a late revival.

Unfortunately, it was not to be and 4 unanswered goals for Kingston - all scored by Matt Clarkson to add to his earlier 3 – fired the visitors to a comprehensive victory. The other two goals for the Kestrels were scored by Matt Woollias.

The Mayhem’s next game is away to Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday 12th May.

A minute's silence was held before the game in memory of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos ice hockey team bus crash in Canada two weeks ago (Photo by David Law)
 Photos by David Law - see lots more great ice hockey photos HERE

Monday, 2 April 2018

Ice Hockey Summer Classic: Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 8 - Steel City Hawks (Sheffield) 2

Raiders' Jordan Birtwistle scored
two goals against the Hawks
(Photo by Chris Johnstone)
MATCH DETAILS:
Sunday 1st April 2018 – Ice Hockey Summer Classic Cup
Riverside Raiders (Widnes) 8 – Steel City Hawks (Sheffield) 2
Period Scores: 5-0, 2-1, 1-1
Penalties In Minutes: Raiders 10 – Hawks 4

Match Officials: Campbell / Williams

The Widnes – based Riverside Raiders team got their Summer Cup campaign off to a winning start with an 8-2 victory over the Sheffield-based Steel City Hawks at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.

The Raiders came second in the league competition last year and won the play off final and are hoping to do the double this time around.

The Widnes-based team were the stronger early on and took the lead after just 2 minutes with a great strike from Eemeli Vuorihovi. The visitors fought back and had several good chances themselves but were continually thwarted by Mike Rogers in the Raiders’ goal.

Two goals just 15 seconds apart from the Raiders just after the 10 minute mark gave the Widnes team what would turn out to be a winning margin as first Adam Murphy and then Vuorihovi again found the back of the Hawks net.

A brace from Jordan Birtwistle finished off the scoring for the period and gave the Raiders an impressive 5-0 lead heading into the first break.  

The Raiders maintained the pressure on the Hawks’ goal in the second period and were 7-0 up – courtesy of goals by Rasti Geroc and Luke Williams – before the visitors finally opened their own account with a powerplay goal from Matthew Smith in the 39th minute.

The Hawks pulled a second goal back just two minutes from the restart through Joshua Connolly but the Raiders’ 6-goal margin was restored just 37 seconds later with a goal from Adam Jenkins.

The remaining 17 minutes were played out goal-less but with both sides pushing right up to the final buzzer - and Michael Howells performing well in the Raiders' goal, having come on for the third period. 

There was a very impressive 100+ crowd watching the game and the sizeable Widnes contingent will have gone home happy with the resulting 8-2 scoreline.

A bucket collection was made at the game in aid of two mental health charities MIND and CALM, in support of a charity match that was being played at Blackburn Arena on the same day in memory of Wyre Seagulls and Blackburn Falcons rec player Rob Craig who died last year.

The Raiders’ next Summer Cup game is away to the Wyre Seagulls in Blackburn on 21st April and they are next at home on Sunday 6th May when they entertain the Flintshire Phantoms at Planet Ice Widnes. 

Report by Paul Breeze



Team Line Ups and Player Stats

Riverside Raiders: Adam Jenkins (1 + 0, 2PIM), Adam Murphy (1 + 0), Anthony Hughes (0 + 2), Ben Donkin (4PIM), Callum Fraine (0 + 1), Eemeli Vuorihovi (2 + 1), Elizabeth Wright (0 + 2, 2PIM), Jack Walker, Jordan Birtwistle (2 + 0, 2PIM), Laurence le Vay (0 + 1), Luke Williams (1 + 0), Michael Filek, Michael Teinert, Michael Howells (NM, 20 mins - 1 goal), Michael Rogers (NM, 40 mins - 1 goal), Rasti Geroc (1 + 1), Stephen Harvey.

Steel City Hawks: Aaron O’Melia, Joshua Connolly (1 + 0, 2PIM), Luke Ryalls (0 + 1), Marc Maddy, Matthew Smith (1 + 0), Michael Winfield, Robbie Foulds, Alexander Manning, Andrew Cruise, Benjamin Cowell, Charles Dowell, Donovan Rowland, Joe Scaife, Joel Willers (0 + 1, 2 PIM), Josef Tomlinson, Joseph Foster (NM, 60 mins).

Friday, 30 March 2018

Riverside Raiders At Home To Steel City Hawks In 2018 Summer Classic Cup

Photo by Owen Tennant - Camera and Editing by Mike Teinert
The Widnes-based Riverside Raiders team play their first game of the 2018 Summer Classic Cup campaign this Sunday 1st April when they take on the Steel City Hawks from Sheffield at Planet Ice Widnes – 4.30pm face off.

The Raiders won the Summer Classic Play Off title last year and will be hoping to go one better by taking the league title as well this time around. The Raiders finished as runners up in the league last year, ending up on the same number of points as the champions Grimsby Stormers – and with a superior head to head record – but lost out on goal difference after the Lincolnshire team had a couple of landslide home wins over short-benched travelling teams.

The Summer Classic features six teams from across the country who play each other home and away in a qualifying group, with the top teams then meeting again in semi finals and final. The final will be played at iceSheffield on Sunday 2nd September. 

Alongside the Raiders, the other teams involved in the 2018 competition are: the Flintshire Phantoms from Deeside, the Wyre Seagulls from Blackburn, Kingston City Knights from Hull and two iceSheffield based teams in the shape of the Steel City Hawks and the Sheffield Ice Tigers.

The Riverside Raiders’ Summer Classic Cup Games are as follows:

Sunday 1st April: home v Steel City Hawks (Sheffield)
Saturday 21st April: away @ Wyre Seagulls (at Blackburn) - 6.15pm face off
Sunday 6th May: home v Flintshire Phantoms
Sunday 27th May: home v Sheffield Ice Tigers
Sunday 17th June: home v Wyre Seagulls

Sunday 24th June: away @ Steel City Hawks (Sheffield) - 4.15pm face off
Sunday 1st July: away @ Sheffield Ice Tigers - 4.15pm face off
Sunday 29th July: home v Kingston City Knights
Sunday 5th August: away @ Kingston City Knights

(Game away @ Flintshire Phantoms to be confirmed)

All home games face off at 4.30pm at Planet Ice Widnes and admission is free.

At the game this Sunday against the Steel City Hawks, a bucket collection will be made in aid of two mental health charities MIND and CALM, in support of a charity game that is being played at Blackburn Arena on the same day in memory of Wyre Seagulls and Blackburn Falcons rec player Rob Craig who died last year.

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Halton Huskies and Coventry Spitfires in 15--Goal Thriller

MATCH DETAILS:
Sunday 18th March 2018 – Rec Challenge Match Halton Huskies (Widnes) 10 – Coventry Spitfires 5 
Period Scores: 2-3, 3-2, 5-0
Penalties In Minutes: Halton 6 - Coventry 8

Huskies Scoring: Josh Grocutt 5+0, Jeff Chapman Watson 1+2, James Kelly, Michael Parkin & Richard Evans all 1+1, Daniel Trust 1+0, James Behan & Nathan Hewitt 0+1

Match Officials: Ray Ormes & Simon Anders

Match report by Paul Breeze 
Photos by David Law Photography (https://www.facebook.com/davidlawphotographer/)


The Halton Huskies recreational team beat the Coventry Spitfires 10-5 in an entertaining challenge match at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.


The home side opened the scoring after just 20 seconds of the game with a great goal from Josh Grocutt but the Spitfires hit back with two goals in under a minute – from Joseph Little and Thomas Sturdy – to edge them into the lead. A powerplay goal from the Huskies’ Michael Parkin levelled the score on 12 minutes but the visitors went into the first break with a 2-3 lead after Ethan Kane fired them back ahead with 3 minutes left in the period.

The second period carried on in the same vein as the first with both teams very closely matched and excellent sporting play on both sides. The Spitfires made it 2-4 with just 80 seconds gone in the period with an incredible short handed goal by Mark Swinnerton but the Huskies pulled a goal back on 25 minutes with another fine effort from Grocutt. Coventry’s Steven Smith re-established the 2-goal cushion with a strike on 27 minutes but two goals in the latter stages of the period – from Jeff Chapman Watson and James Kelly – sent the teams in level pegging at 5-5 for the second break.

The third period saw excellent defensive work and outstanding netminding from the Halton team as they managed to keep the Spitfires’ attack at bay and score five unanswered goals to make sure of the win.

The avalanche started on 42 minutes with a goal from Daniel Trust to make it 6-5 and put the Huskies back in the lead for the first time since the opening minutes.

A hat-trick goal followed for Grocutt on 49 minutes and a goal by Richard Evans on 51. Two more goals from Grocutt – just 10 seconds apart on 54 minutes rounded off the scoring and handed the Huskies a sensational 10-5 victory.

The Huskies have another home game this Saturday 24th March against the Solihull Grizzlies at Planet Ice Widnes. Face off is at 22.15pm and admission is free. 
 
You can follow the Halton Huskies on their Facebook page  HERE