Swooping In:The Great Rink Robbery

SUNDAY 21ST JANUARY 

NIHL SOUTH 1

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS LONDON RAIDERS

PRE-GAME

The Redhawk's came in to this game fresh off a battling performance the night before in Telford, where they had lived to coach Cornishes quote of them being a team that never gave up. Sadly it had not been enough and they had been eliminated. The good news was the team would be icing a full bench, with the exception of long term injury victim Adam Wood. Alec Goldstone would be called up to fill the gap in the roster. 

Meanwhile the Raiders came in to the game riding high after breaking a 3 game losing streak, by beating the Bracknell Bee's 6-3. The Raiders would be looking to finish off a 4 point weekend and further close the gap wit the ex EPL pack at the head of the table. 

Both teams have a very similar style, both containing elements that mix both size and speed with skill. Creating a game of tactical chess, as both teams would seek to intercept the stretch passes, board passes and seek to force icing calls against one another. In this situation it would either turn in to a shooting gallery, or a defensive shut down master class, possibly combined with a goal tender stealing his team the game. 

1st Period

The Raiders would begin the game instantly under pressure, as Redhawk's would win the opening face off. The WCW line would slice up the middle to get in an early attempt on net. This would see the beginning of a recurrent theme as the Redhawk's would exploit speed to move the puck out to the neutral zone boards then back in to the middle, to generate offence on the Raiders net. 

The Raiders would soon find a way to answer back, as Lack, Lascenko and Munroe would combine to move the puck around behind the net. But the resultant shot was easily saved by Colclough. Despite this the Raider's were being forced to adopt a siege mentality as they were coming under sustained pressure up the center of the ice. 

Despite a Power-play at 7 minutes, the Raiders tactic of overlapping pass and go moves failed to penetrate the Redhawk's PK. And so the period would end 0-0 .  The Redhawk's would need to find a way to capitalize on having the majority of possession and shot attempts.

2nd Period

The 2nd Period would start much the same way as the 1st. The Raiders would be penned in to their own end looking to break out on the counter attack using their own speed. 

It looked like the Redhawk's had struck first though, after a neutral zone turn over Ryan Webb would speed in behind the Raiders D 2 on 1 with Ryan Watt in support. He would pass cross ice to Watt who's shot was deflected back to him by Gray. Watt seemed to fire home the rebound sending the hoke crowd in to celebrations. However this was short lived as referee Evans would rule this a no goal.

But at 27 minutes the Redhawks would finally break the deadlock. Jamie Hayes would lay a hit on Munroe that spun the Raiders D man out by the boards. Collecting the puck he would feed it round to Michael Farn who's point shot would find Grays five hole to make it 1-0 to the Redhawks. 

The Raiders would attempt to answer back, but the Redhawk's D had begin to choke off the shooting lanes, and most Raiders break ins were being forced wide and in to the corners. Any attempts that did get up the center were dealt with by Colclough. And the D would collapse in to clear the crease of any loose pucks. 

Despite this, Ayliffe, Pitchley, Huska and Lascenko were proving a handful to deal with. Forcing a series of turn overs late in the second to create good chances on Colclough. Trying a combination of the house play off the back of center ice stretch passes. But no one could effectively pull the trigger. 

By this point though, despite the scoreline. Both teams Defenses had found a way to cancel out each others offence. With both sides being forced wide coming over the blue line, and in to the corners. While also doing an excellent job of clearing the creases, with both Gray and Colclough standing on their heads. 

The game would turn slightly ugly though at a questionable hit by J.J Pitchley on Michael Farn by the boards went un called by the referee. In the pause after due to Farn collapsing Ryan Watt would go for Pitchley and get in a few punches during the ensuing scrum. Watt would be called for roughing, while oddly referee Evans continued to baffle after the earlier disallowed goal, by calling what seemed to to be a boarding penalty as a high sticking call. Possibly this was a call to assert control after Watt had tried to dish out his own justice. 

The second would end 1-0 Redhawk's. The game had become a chess game, where both sides were matching each other move for move. Combined with this was a goal tending duel as bot Gray and Colclough worked hard to repel everything being thrown at them. It began to feel like the deciding factor in this game would be a single momentary mistake made by either side

3rd Period

Much like the first the Redhawks would win the opening face off and Michael Farn would rush up ice and force an early face off after Gray saved his shot. Shortly after this Ryan Watt would go it alone going from one side of the ice to the other behind the net, doing a spinorama to release the shot. It looked briefly like it had gone in. But in fact Watt had made the wrong side of the net ripple. 

The Raiders would return fire as Huska and Sylvester combined to rush in and test Colclough, but he would deflect this away and it would be cleared up ice. 

The game of tatcical chess between coaches Cornish and Eastwood would continue after this, with both teams trying to pick up a garbage goal by throwing puck accross the crease area. But no one could either tap it home, or try a forced back hand in front of net. 

Eventually the Raiders would find a way past Colclough's defenses. On the power play, after winning an offensive zone face off the puck would be worked round the cycle to a waiting Pitchley at the point by Andrew Munroe. His shot would fly in to the net and it was 1-1 

The Hawks would almost instantly it seemed return fire, as that quest for a trash goal finally seemed to pay off. The fans in the arena seemed to think it had gone in but once again referee Evans decided that it was no goal and things stayed level. 

The physicality of the game had been slowly ramping up, with both sides feeling that some liberties were being taken by the other. This would all flare up at 52:39 as Jordan Gregory elbowed Brandon Ayliffe, immediately being challenged by Matt Turner, this would turn in to a line brawl drawing in Jacob Ranson and J.J Pitchley. 

The game was poised on a knife edge following this, one mistake would seal victory or defeat. And it was the Hawks that would make that mistake as at 56:39 a momentary lapse by the Hawks D would allow Juraj Huska to break in before laying it back to Ollie Baldock. Acting as the screen Baldock would pass back to Huska who would put it home to make it 2-1 Raiders. 

The Redhawk's would do all they could to equalize, with 48 seconds to go coach Cornish would pull Colclough for the extra man. However the Redhawk's could not maintain control of the puck or offensive zone. The clock would tick down and the game would end 2-1 to the Raiders

POST GAME THOUGHTS

Besides an incredible game of defensive hockey from both sides, what was witnessed tonight was the great rink robbery. As Michael Gray stole the game for the Raiders. And despite J.J Pitchley and Juraj Huska getting their names on the score sheet, it was Grays wall like performance in net that prevented the Red Hawks from running up the scoreboard and won the Raiders the game. Olegs Lascenko, and Juraj Huska could make a claim for MOTM as well, both were offensive dynamo's when they had control of the puck. Huska in particular was deserving of getting the game winning goal as he had seemingly been on a one man mission to make something happen offensively all night. 

The Redhawks played an outstanding defensive game here, and Matt Colclough was a wall in the net. They were able to choke off the shooting lanes, and clean up any trash around the net But will feel robbed by the end result, having out shot the opposition 46-31. It was only 2 mistakes that cost them. That is simply the way it goes in a hockey game where both teams are playing a game of tactical chess that are so evenly matched like this. It was good to see Michael Farn get a goal, as over the last few weeks he has struggled as opposition teams choked off the shooting lanes. Matt Colclough was a strong shout for man of the match as much like Gray he kept the Hawks in this game. Farn would have been another choice for me as he was constantly driving the play from the back all night. Even though they were denied the goal the WCW line(Watt Carr and Webb) were on form tonight and were left frustrated only by an inform Gray 

For the Redhawks it's on to an away day trip to Bracknell. Having beaten the Bee's twice this season, and having seen the Bee's recently fall to the Raiders the Redhawks can fancy their chances because even in defeat against Telford the Hawks showed they can hang in there with the ex EPL sides. The WCW line will like the bigger ice at Bracknell as it will give Ryan Webb more space to exploit his speed. It will be the only game though next weekend for the Hawks and so they will need to deliver in order to keep pace with the 4th and 5th place Raiders and Bees.

Swooping In:In To The Unknown

JANUARY 14TH NIHL CUP STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS TELFORD TIGERS

Pre Game

It was a step in to the unknown for the Telford Tigers, as they made their first ever visit to the High Road. For the quarter finals of the NIHL Challenge Cup. Going in to this game it was going to be a battle of the neutral zone. Having watched Telford play may times over the last few years one tactic I have seen them use to great effectiveness is catching teams on the break after forcing multiple turn overs in the neutral zone. 

The Reedhawks would hope that the rest they had on Saturday, and thus extra energy would allow them to use their speed and pace to break through this. However the absence of Brendan Miles and Adam Wood meant the Hawks would be without some useful size in the corner wars that this kind of neutral zone blockade causes. Telford arrived having lost the night before to Solihull Barons. Also they were down Jack Watkins, but added Scott McKenzie, new import Filip Supa and the experience of Warren Tait. The Redhawks would welcome back Ryan Web and Alec Goldstone to bolster the line up

1st Period

The game started out with both sides probing tentatively, trying to work out the best way to create a break through. The monentum would swing back and forth, with both sides D breaking up the plays with active sticks and a lot of forcing the play in to the corners. The Tigers would get the first PP, after Brendan Baird was called for hooking. The Tigers game plan on the PP was point shot oriented, looking to set up Jonathan Weaver. 

At 9 minutes, the Redhawks got a real chance as they created chaos around the net after a Ryan Watt break in attempt. During this Adam Jones was judged to have charged Watt. Watt took exception to this and the gloves came off. The Hawks would get a PP out of this, but despite plenty of shots on net nothing came of this advantage. 

The Tigers would end the period in the lead, at 17 minutes, the Hawks found themselves trapped in their own end. Unable to clear the puck, Rick Plant and Corey Goodison combined  to cycle the puck to a waiting Jonathan Weaver at the point who fired it high in to the net and it was 1-0 to Telford

2nd Period

The Hawks came in to the second, needing to take hold of the momentum early on, and to find a way through the forest of sticks that Telford had turned the neutral zone in to, while also avoiding the turnover this was forcing out of them. The Hawks started out doing just this as they were able to pin the Tigers in their own end, however again it was very much a case of quantity and not quality as shot after shot was either saved or went wide. 

26 minutes in the Tigers made another neutral zone turn over work for them as Jonathan Weaver made an interception, and found a speeding Jason Silverthorn who fired it past Colclough to make it 2-0.

Following this set back the Redhawks stole the initiative off the next face off and began to threaten Bells net again, and at around 27 mins a shot rang off the post, and landed on the line only to be cleared. However Alex Sampford would find it as the Tigers were attempting to clear. Passing it to James Warman who set up Aidan Doughty, who put it over Bell to make it 2-1. 

With all the momentum the Hawks would now begin a sustained attack on the Tigers net, seeing Ryan Watt go close twice, and Hayes come close as he closed in and went across the front of the crease only to see the puck slip out of the reach of his stick in the melee. Bell and the Tigers D withstood all of this and the period ended 2-1 Telford

3rd Period

The Hawks would begin the 3rd looking to level things up, with Ryan Watt and Michael Farn continuing to lead the charge. Farn would go end to end ringing a shot off Bells blocker early on. The Redhawks speed, and attempts at stretch passes were allowing them break through's early on. 

Eventually this would pay off at  as Watt Webb and Carr, would work the puck in from the neutral zone, Farn would work hard to keep the puck in at the blue line, before making a cross ice pass to Gregory who's slap shot from the point found its way through to the back of the net with help from Ryan Watt along the way. And at 46:38 it was 2-2

The Tigers would answer back with two goals in 1 minute at the 48:15 and 48:51. Warman and Silverthorn would battle for the puck in the corner.Winning the puck the Tigers forward would go across the crease looking for  a shot and drawing Colclough out of position, before being driven behind the net by the Hawks defence. From there Silverthorn would find Rick Plant skating in at the hash marks who would roof it to make it 3-2 Telford. 

In quick fire succesion the Tigers would make it 4-2, as quick passing from Silverthorn and Weaver would allow Brodie Jesson to get in and fire it past Colclough to add to the scoreline.

With more urgency the Hawks continued to attack the Hawks net, but Bell was equal to everything being thrown at him. Andreas Siagris would get off a good chance however it would fly straight in to the logo on Bells chest. Ryan Webb would get several passes in through the crease but no Hawks player could connect in a position to get the puck over the line. 

The Tigers would kill off the game at 55:37 as Warren Tait came up with the puck in a board battle with Doughty. He passed up ice to McKenzie who would skate in and fire at the net, Colclough would make the save but the rebound fell to a waiting Filip Supa who buried it to make it 5-2

After Game Thoughts

Telford came in, and played the game I expected them to, they clogged the neutral zone, and capitalized on the turn over chaos this created. Jason Silverthorn thoroughly deserved the MOTM as he was a constant threat and was involved in 3 of the 5 goals. Another candidate for this to me would be Denis Bell, the Tigers shot stopper had a busy night in net. And was certainly a major factor in why the Tigers only allowed 2 goals on the night. Tigers played a strong game in the back end, clearing the crease of players and puck, and also forcing the majority of break ins to the boards, and forcing the Hawks to play dump and chase. 

This game was a polar opposite to what we saw last week, where the MK Thunder clogged the shooting lanes, the Tigers eased off and allowed the shots in. So the Hawks got quantity. But were sadly missing in quality on a lot of them. However despite the 5 goals the Hawks D played strong in the face of the opposition in parts of the game. As is always the case in hockey it was some small mistakes and lapses that cost them. The PK was especially strong at breaking up the Tigers Power play matching its fast passing, and never getting stretched. It was good to see the Watt Carr and Webb line re-united(or the WCW line as I call them) and Ryan Watt and Adam Carr were two of my choices for MOTM along with Micahel Farn as these 3 were a constant offensive threat. However Matt Colclough, was a deserving winner of this honor. Despite seemingly having a battle with the puck at times as he did do all he could to limit the score line. 

5-2 is not an insurmountable number going in to the second leg, however the odds are against the Hawks going in. The Hawks have the advantage of several players who have experience of the rink in Telford, so hopefully Adam Carr, Ryan Watt and Michael Farn can relay how best to play on the small ice in Telford to the rest of the team. Its a tough weekend ahead for the Redhawks with the away leg in Telford Saturday and then home to face the London Raiders on Sunday, who themselves will be looking to snap a 3 game losing skid that has seen them outscored 19-4 against ex EPL teams.  

Swooping In:Hawks Fly Through Thunder.

First off, sorry I had no blog on the last home game. I got really sick around then so as you can guess blogging was far from on my mind. But I am back, I am healthy now.

JANUARY 6TH STREATHAM VS MILTON KEYNES THUNDER

It looked like a full house at the High Road as The MK Thunder rolled in to town. Both teams had been rested over the festive period. As with their encounter earlier in the season this would be a game of size vs speed. Thunder would be looking to avenge the 4-0 loss they had suffered in MK on December 17th. With a lot of size, this was going to be a physical game. With the likes of Jamie Line and GB U20 player Rio Grinell Parke providing more speed skill and a bit of agitation. This was going to be a tough task. It was made tougher for the Redhawks by the absences of Ben Paynter, who's size could be very useful in this kind of game, also the top line would be missing young stand out Ryan Webb. Forcing coach Cornish to shuffle his lines. 

1st Period

It took 22 seconds for the Thunder to light the lamp, and put the Redhawk's on the back foot early. Pinning the Hawks in early off the opening face off, a defensive mix up as Chris Cooke attempted to clear the puck found Ross Bowers free and able to get it to Tom Carlon, who found an on rushing Jamie Line who would snipe in to the top corner to make it 1-0 Thunder at 00:22 in the first. 

The Redhawks tried to answer back immediately,on a PP gifted to them after Rio Grinell-Parke was called for holding 20 seconds after the go ahead goal. However the Thunder PK frustrated the Redhakw's powerplay, choking off the shooting lanes. This forced Michael Farn to bomb shots in from the point that would go wide or over the bar. Any rebound Tom Annetts gave up was smothered instantly. 

At around the 5 and half minute mark, the physicallity jumped up another notch. off the play there was an incident by the MK bench. Reports from Twitter indicate Rio Grinell-Parke was elbowed. Retaliation followed on the Red Hawks player and a brawl ensued. When it had all settled Brendan Miles and Grant McPherson being singled out for Game Misconducts for fighting. With Milles recieving two additional Match penalties for Abuse Of an Official after his choice words for referee Belfitt. 

2 minutes later the Thunder thought they had the lead, as lose puck at the back door was stuffed home, but as the net had moved the referee judged it no goal. At the 13 minute mark the Hawks got on the board as Alex Sampford fed Jacob Ranson who tried to fire it home, but Tom Annetts deflects the puck to a waiting Joe Allen who stuffed it home to make it 1-1. 

However the Thunder would answer back immediately. As another defensive mix up would see Jamie Line able to get off a shot on the net, the rebound would fall to Rio Grinell-Parke who would apply the finish to make it 1-2 to the visitors. Minutes later the Mboya almost made it 3-1 to the Thunder ringing one off the post. 

The period would end 2-2 however as Alex Whyte was called for boarding the Hawks, however the Hawks would spend 30 seconds playing keep away with the puck. Ryan Watt would feed the puck out of the corner to Michael Farn. Finally with an open lane he would shoot at the net, on the ensuing rebound scramble Aiden Doughty would get the last touch to get it over the line and even things up at 2-2. Following this the Thunder would be assesed a bench minor for abuse of official and so would go on the PK despite a delayed penalty goal. 

2nd Period 

In the second period, it seemed both teams had shaken off the rink rust of the extended Christmas break. Off the faceoff the Hawks managed to apply pressure during the PP. However as in the first period the Hawks Powerplay could not get anything on target, or stuff home any rebounds around the net. This was followed by a long period of open play in the neutral zone as turn over followed turn over. 

At 29:41 the Thunder would take back the lead. A turn over off a broke Ryan Watt play in the MK end would release Harrison Goode, who would shoot, again Rio Grinell Parke was waiting to fire home the rebound and make it 3-2 to the Thunder. 

The rest of the period was a frustrating one for the Hawks, underpinned by a powerplay where Jamie Hayes would miss 3 opportunities to tie the game at the back door. It was the story of the second for the Hawks though. A high quantity of rubber was going to the net, but not much was of quality. This was due to the Thunders big D men moving players out, forcing them wide on the zone entry, then winning the war in the corner. 

3rd Period

The Redhwak's would start the 3rd on the back foot, Michael Farn had been called at 39:44 for checking to the head. He would serve an additional 10 on this and so the Hawks would be minus their first choice point shooter on the PP. 

The Hawks would successfully kill this penalty, and then shortly after would equalize. Despite the thunder having been able to choke off the shooting lanes all night, Jordan Gregory finally found a way to get one through, James Warman had fed the puck to Gregory and his shot took a tip on the way through as Jacob Ranson was given the goal by the officials. 3-3, setting up a tense final 18 minutes

Both sides would spend the last 18 trying to break the deadlock Then a blow to the Hawks as Matt Colclough took a shot right to the face mask, which drew blood. With his night done, it was up to Nate Gregory to step in at 53 minutes and hold the fort. And hold he did turning back everything the Thunder threw at him. Taking us in to overtime. 

Overtime

3 on 3 overtime. In my opinion, the best and worst part of hockey. A game that had been a pendulum on a knife edge all evening just became even ore tense as the next goal would decided things. Redhawks would win the opening face off, however it was the Thunder who would get the first shot on net. Gregory was equal to this though. 

The game would be decided on a PP though, with Ryan Watt steaming in going around everyone Ross Bowers made the decision the only way to stop him was a hook. This was called and so 3 on 3 became 4 on 3. 

A minute later the Red Hawks finally got the PP working as Michael Farn would gather the puck skate in and feed a waiting Aiden Doughty who capped his MOTM performance by roofing it to send the home crowd in to raptures ending it 4-3. 

After Game Thoughts

MK deserved possibly more than a point from this game I feel. They came in and played a brilliant road game, and kept the hakws off of theirs for long periods of play. However physcallity and size often dont win you games in OT as its more about the speed and puck movement. However their PK was very well executed and totally choked off the shooting lanes. 

Tom Carlon deserved his MOTM, a contsnat threat through out, any time he had the puck it looked like he could create something. Special mention as well must go to Rio Grinell-Parke who chipped in 2 goals and was my pick for MOTM personally. 

For the Red Hawks,if it had ended the other way in OT  I wouldn't have said it was unfair that they only got 1 point. The PP really struggled when Michael Farn was neutralized by clogged shooting lanes. However missing an energy player like Ryan Webb who's speed is his greatest asset did not help. And being without your two most physical players in Paynter and later on Miles was no help either. However in terms of a show put on for any new fans who live locally that was a hell of a game. And should hopefully pull some of them back for more. One thing, maybe someone needs to explain the OT rule over the PA before the game, as I had to point this out to several fans who got up to leave at the final buzzer, that there was more to come. Also maybe ask fans not to move during open play.  

Nate Gregory did great replacing Colclough to help his team pick up the win, Jacob Ranson had a great night proving to be a pest with and without the puck and was involved for 2 of the Hawks key goals. But the MOTM was unquestionably Aidan Doughty's after his 2 goal night. 

Next up, following last nights win in Kent over Invicta, its the Cup quarter finals as the Hawks take on the Telford Tigers. This should be an interesting fixture, as a majority of the Tigers teams has never played a competitive game in Streatham before. However Telfords rink is similar in size to Streatham's so both teams could feel at home. Streatham have no league game over the next two weekends. So the Cup will be the sole focus of the squad going in to these 2 games.

Next Game: Sunday 14th V Telford Tigers