Mayhem Captain Mark Colquitt (Photo by Blindside Trading Cards)
Saturday 5th July 2025 – BPIHL: Sheffield Steelkings 5 – Mayhem 0
The Mayhem sledge team lost out 5-0 away to league leaders Sheffield Steelkings in the British Para Ice Hockey League at iceSheffield on Saturday.
The Mayhem team travelled short of a number of regular players and only had the minimum 5+1 available. This meant that everybody had to remain on the ice for the whole game with no line changes – compared to the player-rich hosts, who had a better populated bench with 9 outfield players and two netminders - and could give their players regular breathers.
The Steelkings were looking for a win to reinforce their own title ambitions so this game was always going to be a bit of an uphill struggle for the Mayhem. Three goals for the Steelkings in the first period pretty much killed the game as a contest and one more in both the second and third period saw them romp to a 5-0 victory.
For the record, the brave Mayhem team of 6 were: Dan Hartshorn (NM), Mark Colquitt, Tom Kimm, Karl Nicholson, Anton Tomlinson and Felicity Gregory. Despite the disparity in numbers, they put in a plucky performance and managed 8 shots on goal over the course of the game, compared to the Steelkings’ 24.
The win means that Sheffield are now three points ahead at the top of the league table with 2 games left to play.
Last season’s champions Cardiff Huskies are now unable to catch them as they only have one game left in the regular season so Peterborough Phantoms – who match the Huskies on 8 points following a 0-9 win against the Sheffield B team - the Steelstings - on Sunday - and also have a game in hand, are the only team able to catch Sheffield and possibly snatch the title from them.
The Phantoms take on the Steelkings this Saturday 12th July in what will effectively be a title decider for this season’s league championship. If Sheffield beat Peterborough in that game, they will be uncatchable in top spot.
Despite Saturday’s loss, the Mayhem are guaranteed a place in the end of season play offs as bottom club Sheffield Steelstings – the Steel City’s development side - are unable to overtake them with the league games that they have left.
The top 4 teams in the league table qualify for the play offs, which will be held over the weekend of 13th and 14th September at Lee Valley in East London – which is a new venue for para ice hockey.
The Mayhem are next in action on Saturday 19th July, when they take on the Phantoms at Planet Ice Widnes. The game faces off at 6.30pm, which is later than usual, due to another match being played beforehand.
