Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Chelmsford Chieftains Removed From South 1 Play Offs

Chelmsford Chieftains have announced that they have been removed from the South 1 Play Offs by the EIHA for having iced an ineligible player in their quarter final matches against London Raiders.

The Chieftains won their home game 3-6 away and 4-2 at home but both of those games have now been awarded 5-0 to the Raiders.   

London Raiders will now take on Wightlink Raiders in the semi-finals this weekend.

This is an ironic turn of events as London Raiders were themselves removed from the Play Offs at this stage last season after a brawl in their quarter final match at Streatham left them unable to ice a full team for the return leg the next night. 

The EIHA position on Chelmsford icing an ineligible player appears to differ from the situation when Coventry Blaze did a similar thing in the NIHL North promotion play off match against Deeside Dragons in 2013 and no action was taken.

STOP PRESS: Chelmsford Chieftains have announced that they are appealing against this decision - more to follow!

Photo: Raiders' Liam Chong and Chieftains Michael Ranby - by John Scott