Up In The Rafters:Working Over Time

SATURDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2018

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS MILTON KEYNES THUNDER

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME

After shaking off the rust last weekend against Swindon it was time to get the league and cup campaign under way at the High Road. Despite losing 2 games to the Swindon Wildcats the team had looked good for most of the previous weekend with units gelling well. By comparison the Thunder had enjoyed back to back wins the previous weekend, all be it against the weaker opposition of NHL 2 Slough Jets. But based on both sides performances the confidence in both camps would no doubt be high. The additions of Tom Soar, now back from holiday and Andreas Siagris would see the Redhawks offence take on a whole new dimension. The Thunder would see the addition of Michael Stratford giving them some extra size, skill and grit.

1st Period

Damien King and Tom Annettes would start things out in net for thier sides. It was now down to the next 60 miinutes to see wich Annettes would show up, as has been noted by Anthony Russell he can be a tad streaky as a net minder.

The early going would see much of the Hawks offence repelled at the blue line, following the theme from the game last week. It was off one of these that the Thunder got the first real chance of the game as Ross Bowers would force a turn over that saw him fire just wide to test King early on.
The Hawks would return fire with Leigh Jamieson and Andreas Siagris combing thorugh the neutral zone and in to the offensive zone before fireing wide. This would then be followed by a Rupert Quiney point blast dinging off the post.

Soon after the majority of fans, and Joshua Condren would think it was 1-0 Hawks as a well worked series of moves saw Michael Farn get in and shoot the puck back hand at the has marks. Only to see Annetts rebound it out to a waiting Condren at the back door who was robed. The first of many spectacular saves Annetts would make

The tactical theme appeared to be setting up here at this point. The Thunder would allow the Hawks the neutral zone and the offensive pressure then catch them on a counter attack, utilizing thier strength in the speed of Jamie Line and Rio Grinell-Parke. One such move like this would see Thunder catch the Hawks on the break with Grinell-Park and Lewis English combining for a 2 on 1 effort that was fired wide. The Hawks would answer back as Michael Farn was allowed time and space at the other end to pinch down after Soar and Siagris had caused chaos around the net, to fire a back hand from the hash marks that was saved.

The pressure would continue to mount, Beesley, Webb, Siagris and Jamieson would all take shots at breaking the deadlock in this early going but Tom Annetts was a wall. The best chance came when Ryan Webb was able to feed a waiting Alex Roberts on the doorstep, his 2 stabs at the puck however were smothered.

The game would take an ugly turn on the next shift as Adam Wood was boarded by Michael Stratford in the Thunder end. Unharmed by the experience Wood took exception to the check and decided to deal out some justice as both he and Stratford dropped the gloves and had a good scrap before the refs broke it all up. The boarding and following fight would leave neither team with a man advantage. During the next shift things would get heated further as Tom Carlon would interfere with Damien King, sparking a violent reaction from Michael Farn. The two would both get 2+2 for Roughing.

This round of penalties would see the game become a bit more balanced and back and forth than it had been. Any Redhawks foray forward would be met with a counter strike by the Thunder. It would see a busy period for Thomas Beesley who worked well with Siagris to create chances and generate offence. The Thunder would again get another 2 on 1 following this that saw Jamie Line and Grinell-Parke go close but again no one could get their sights zeroed in.

The period would round out with Thomas Soar going through almost everyone and firing high and wide. As the teams headed to the dressing rooms the game was on a knife edge at 0-0 with both teams looking for that way to score. It simply was a case of both goalies having a good night combined with the offenses of both teams unable to get a shot on target.

2nd Period

The period would begin with the pendulum swinging back and forth as Alex Roberts went extremely close on an early chance before Rubes of Thunder almost found the net going the other way. Shortly after this however the Thunder would be on the PK as Grant McPherson would be called for Slashing. Roberts would then try his luck again blasting from the half boards on the power play only to see the puck padded wide. With no one to pounce on the rebound the puck was cleared.

With Annetts coughing up rebounds the Hawks soon switched to close in net tactics in order to exploit this. James Warman would fire a blast from the point that would see Bailey,Condren and Beesley scramble to stuff it home. However the Thunder D were doing a strong job of clearing the crease of players and pucks.

Soaking up a lot of pressure the Thunder were ensuring that even though they had surrendered the neutral zone, and were allowing puck carriers in. They were making sure that active stick work and harassment of the puck carrier was choking off passing and shooting lanes. The Redhawks however would do the same on an ensuing Powerplay after Josh Condren was given 2 for interference. Keeping the puck carriers out wide and unable to make any impact.

The focus on rebounds and garbage in front of the net would soon pay off for the Hawks though as at 31:43 they would go 1-0 up. Ben Russell wold fire a shot in from the point that would bounce off the boards behind the net to a waiting Adam Carr who's shot would rebound off Anetts, to a waiting Alex Roberts. Who made no mistake putting it home to make the score 1-0 Hawks

Shortly after this Siagris would try to make it 2-0, but once again the Canadian speedsters sights were not zeroed and the puck flew high over the bar. With a lot of shots going high it was becoming apparent the Hawks were attempting to beat Anettes high as apposed to 5 hole. However the exception to this would be an attempted tic tac toe play with Webb trying to redirect the puck off a pass by Roberts.

The period would round out 1-0 to the Hawks, Cernych would go agonizingly close for the Thunder as he was allowed time and space to cut down low and across the crease area but King was able to make the save. The buzzer would sound and the Hawks would be 1-0 up having found a way through the Annetts shaped wall that was soaking up almost everything thrown at it. Meanwhile the Thunder would need to find a way to turn the chances they had been getting in to something

3rd Period

The Thunder would finally get the goal they had been looking for the start the 3rd period of the game. After causing a turnover by the Thunder bench Oliver Lord would get the puck up the boards to a waiting Carlon who would break in to the Hawks zone with Thomas Rubes waiting in support up the middle. A centering pass from Carlon would find Rubes and his shot would sail by King to make it 1-1 at 40:19

The Redhawks would immediately fire back forcing a series of spectacular saves out of Anetts. But as before the targeting systems were not zeroed and the puck either flew wide or straight in to Annetts waiting glove. Carr,Farn,Siagris and Bailey would all see chances denied from close range. But all this pressure was seeing nothing in the way if conversion on to the scoreboard. The best chance of them all saw Alex Roberts go end to end, and only be denied as he was harassed by Whyte as he closed with Annetts.

In answer to all this pressure, the Thunder would continue to attempt breaking on the counter. However as the game went on they were becoming more and more entrenched in their own defensive zone, and were struggling to get out. The speedy trio of Jamie Line, Grinell-Parke and Lewis English did break out and create a chance however it was fired straight in to a waiting Kings chest.

All this time trapped in their own end, defending what was essentially an artificial power play took its toll and at 50:57 a tired Grinell-Parke would be called after he hooked Michael Farn attempting to stop the mobile defense man converting an up ice rush in to a goal. In quick succession at 51:16 however Ross Green would turn the 5 on 4 to a 5 on 3 as he would be called for a cross checking penalty.

With all the extra space to play with, Cornish deployed his best puck movers to the ice on the power play. Pretty soon Michael Farn would quarterback a cycling of the puck around the outside that would see him and Rupert Quiney combine to set up Alex Roberts. With extra space to move in to Roberts would pinch down from the point and blast the puck in to the net from the face off circle to make it 2-1 at 51:39

Still with a penalty to serve on the clock the Thunder quickly found themselves under offensive pressure again. Roberts would almost complete a hat trick as he fanned on a pass through the crease that saw him with an open back door and Annetts at his mercy. In the follow up play Soar would squeeze two shots off from close range but Annetts would once again save these.

With the penalty killed the Thunder would fire back and tie the game. A failed clearance by Warman would generate a turnover intercepted by Grinell-Parke. King would make the save however with the rebound falling to a waiting Alex Whyte who would fire home to tie the game at 2-2 at 53:46

Despite plenty of pressure that would see Roberts, Webb, Carr and Soar all test Annetts, and a time out called by MK the game would end in a tie at the end of regulation. We would need an extra stanza to decide who took home the W in this one.

OVERTIME

Overtime would see Farn,Carr and Roberts start out against Rubes,Carlon and Whyte.  The Hawks would win the opening face off and would take control of the puck. Roberst puck moving skills would see him go by everyone only to be hauled down as he crashed the net, with no call the play woyld see Carlon break the other way only to be denied by King.

Next the pendulum would swing the Hawks way as Leigh Jamieson would do all the work going end to end dangleing past everyone before laying off to a waiting Andreas Siagris. However Siagris would fire high and wide, Siagris would collect a rebound for a second chance but again this would go high.

The play would swing back the other way however the puck would be turned over as a Rubes shot would go high and over. While the Thunder were changing on this play, Alex Roberts would collect the puck behind the Hawks net, with only y Rubes to stop him Roberts would skate the puck out and feed a waiting Michael Farn who would skate in unopposed and blast the puck high in to the net over Annetts shoulder to win the game for the Hawks and make it 3-2 Streatham at 62:23 on the clock.

POST GAME

WOW! What a game this was, a perfect example of the best elements of hockey on display for all in attendance. The drama of a game held on a knife edge while two coaches play tactical chess,if only every game at the High Road this season could be like this. For any new fans attending this was a real treat and one I am sure will have them coming back for more.

For the MK Thunder the game plan of adapting a siege mentality, catching the Hawks on the break didn't really work for large parts of the game. The goals they created off this were highlight reel, but the fact they were under the constant bombardment of the Hawks offence for large parts of the game meant that they were relying heavily on Annetts to save the day. If this had been later in the season I think the Hawks would have run up a higher scoreline as the scoring touch would be there. Unorthodox as a road plan this was it got them a point out of it, catching a slower moving Hawks D with speed bursts from the likes of Line, and Carlon was an effective way to generate offence and it avoided the corner and hitting war that the Hawks would aim to utilize.

Last week the team looked tanked after a short benched weekend against Swindon, but with the additions of Thomas Soar and Andreas Siagris the energy was definitely there in the roster and was apparent in the play. Soar and Siagris looked like a lethal combo when working together and when both get those sights dialed in the team is going to have two more legitimate scoring threats. Alex Roberts continues to impress and once again his combination with Carr and Webb ran the opposition defense ragged. I was again impressed with new faces Bailey, Beesley and Condren, all worked hard when called upon, and were generating plenty of offence.The Power Play unit looked a bit shaky early on but eventually clicked to score the go ahead goal on the 5 on 3. The PK unit looks solid just like it did last season, overall the signs are all good from where I sit as to how this team is gelling. As Coach Cornish said in his pre game article the team had 1 session together before Swindon last weekend. The Hawks worked hard tonight and thoroughly deserved to take home the win.

2 For Flinchings NIHL 1 Season Preview

We All Start On Zero

2 For Flinchings NIHL Season Preview

So the summer is over, and it’s that wonderful time of the year again. Hockey season is here, well nearly here. This week we’re in pre-season mode.  Tonight and last night’s game against the Swindon Wildcats mean nothing more than simple bragging rights but it gives Jeremy Cornish a chance to fine tune his plans for the new crop of Redhawk’s players this season. Who works best with who. What kind of power play set up suits which unit etc etc.  Of course Jeremy Cornish isn’t the only coach assessing his new squad this weekend. So let’s see what has been going around the NIHL this summer.

By British hockey standards it has been a very quiet off season. The only earth shattering news in the land scape was of a more positive nature. That being Team GB gaining promotion to the Top tier of International hockey, followed by the first drafting of British player to the NHL since 1986 in Liam Kirk. While the top two UK leagues did contract sadly with the Edinburgh Capitals being forced out of existence by a failed coup for Murrayfield’s ice time, and Cardiff Fire opting to concentrate on NIHL. This has been a rather positive off season in British hockey, as in both cases this was due to circumstances out of the hands of both clubs. Leaving us with an even number,8 team league.

While 8 teams is not the most desirable set up, it does mean one thing. We’ve all qualified for the play offs, so congratulations everyone. My sarcasm aside, an even number of teams in the league is much better than an odd number any day as it eliminates the need for multiple extra cup competitions . Hopefully this off season some of NIHL 2 south’s bigger teams can be persuaded to move up, and the Fire did say they’d be back at some point. For now though let’s focus on our opponents for the season ahead.

Basingstoke Bison

While in the wider scheme of the land scape it was a quiet summer, Basingstoke endured several tactical nuke strikes. It’s been bad enough for the Bison fan base dealing with the question marks hanging over the arenas future. But to then be dealt the body blow of Doug Sheppard leaving along with most of the team’s core, sewed even more seeds of doom among the fans.

In his place comes Player Coach Ashley Tait, whose summer of recruitment has seen some very interesting signings. Having had to totally rebuild the team Tait first turned to a former team mate for help. The arrival of experienced campaigner Russ Cowley along with Alex Mettam should help provide experience and leadership while the team rebuilds its core and discovers an identity. While new imports Klenja and Bordowski come in with impressive pedigrees, that if they workout should see them become an impressive 1-2 offensive punch. The Defence is very young, but boasts top level experience in Adam Jones and Tom Ralph who Tait will look to lead at the back, with the help of Mettam. Christopher Cooke will be expected to continue the break out form he had last season as the blue chip prospect on the back end, as the Bison rebuild for the future.

Bracknell Bees

It was somewhat more of the same for the Bracknell Bee’s last season. While early form saw them near the top end of the table, they eventually succumbed to a December form slump that dropped them to 5^th. Even in the NIHL the Bee’s couldn’t escape finishing bottom of the EPL pile. But Basingstoke’s loss has been Bracknell’s gain. Doug Sheppard’s arrival has seen a transformation of the Bee’s fortunes and the players they could attract.

While stalwarts of previous Bee’s teams like James Gallazi, Scott Spearing and Shaun Thompson have been retained to help retain the teams core identity. Sheppard has stamped his mark on the team with a switch from big bruising players to a team better suited to the open ice of the hive. In come speedsters, Ivan Antonov, Aidan Doughty, Ryan Sutton and Josh Smith. Ryan Watt comes in to provide some heavy back up alongside Roam Malanik. On the back end aside from Joe Baird there are again skaters with speed to burn, highly touted Brit prospects Stuart Mogg, and Edward Knaggs link up with the Baird Brothers and Dean Skinn’s in net. A lot of these names were under Sheppard in Basingstoke during his championship winning dynasty. And as such the DNA of this team is no longer that of mediocrity and failure. The late departures of Hoang and Karel Richter due in the case of the later to the ghost of Frankie Bakrliks suspension still having to be served leave holes in the line up that will need to be filled. However pre-season has shown even with 1 import the Bee's are a credible threat

Invicta Dynamos

The Dynamo’s like all the other NIHL classic sides were caught off guard last season by the EPL collapse and it showed in the way the team was built. Having built a team designed for the old NIHL Kevin Parrish’s squad suffered all season, the addition of Bobby Chamberlain did not last and did little to stem the tide while he was there. But with a full season to asses this Kevin Parrish came in to this off season with a plan to ensure things may go differently this time

For a large part of this summer it looked like the Mo’s were a team being picked clean, as key players departed with no replacements in sight. Prompted by this coach Parrish had to assure fans that plans were under way.  That plan was to build a team more capable of competing in the new NIHL. And on paper it does look stronger, only 5 players return from last season. Key among them being Assistant Captain Ondrej Zosiak, will be an anchor of the defence. With Damien King leaving in comes Adam Long, the rebuild of Bracknell see’s Callum Best and Matt Foord join to bolster the forwards. The arrival of the Bartlett Brothers and Martin Susters brings in a more credible goal threat for the Mo’s. New import Edmund Piacka is the big question mark to me, he’s been more of a depth guy in European leagues, but his experience in high calibre leagues in Slovakia and Czech republic could see him be a break out offensive force for the Mo’s and help them become competitive this year

London Raiders

Of all the NIHL classic side the London Raiders had the most successful league campaign last year. Breaking the predicted monopoly of EPIHL sides at the top and finishing in 4^th place in the league. This combined with a return to the Raiders home in Romford after their exile to Lee Valley while the refurb of their rink took place meant it was a season to celebrate for the Raiders.

Last season the Raiders built a strong base upon which to build for future seasons, as they say if it aint broke don’t fix it. Following this idea the Raiders have only made slight tweaks to the roster. With a strong existing core already boasting the likes of Michael Gray, Juraj Huska,J.J Pitchley, Brandon Ayliffe and Oliver Baldock. The Raiders already have a blue print for further success. So Sean Easton has been prudent in his tweaks, adding experience at a high level in Blahoslav Novak and Dan Scott. While adding size and scoring ability in Mason Webster, import Filip Sedivy is the question mark on offence. Lastly bringing in the energy, leadership and scoring ability of Aaron Connolly once again put the Raiders up there as a team to watch this year

MK Thunder

Much like the other NIHL teams the MK Thunder had a choice last summer, stay and try to build a team to compete in the new NIHL or head to NIHL 2. To my surprise the Thunder took the plunge and decided to stay in NIHL 1. And despite finishing in 7^th Place the Thunder were far from being the whipping boys of the league, in fact they showed to be a team full of surprises.

With no less than 15 of the previous seasons core returning to the team, and only 2 players departing. The Thunders core is very much intact, with a forward group boasting Ross Bowers, Tom Carlon,Jamie Line,Grant McPherson and Gareth O’Flaherty. All of whom boast a high level of experience. All Thunder coach Lewis Clifford needed was to tweak the squad to make it stronger.  The additions of Oliver Stone and Ruslan Cernych strengthen the defence. While the additions of Lewis Fisher and Michael Stratford are young players with upside, and import Tomas Rubes adds size and a potential goal threat . But it’s the crease area where things get really interesting. MK Thunder have, complimented Tom Annett’s experience in net with the addition of exciting young goalie prospect Jordan Lawday. These signings all give the Thunder the chance to be a surprise element this season.

Peterborough Phantoms

Though their hockey was described as boring, unimaginative ,and not entertaining by some last season. The Phantoms almost got the job done and ground out an almost championship winning season that saw them denied a title only on goal difference. Boring or not Slava Koulikov knows how to build a title contender. The trick was keeping hold of enough key elements to mount a challenge while keeping things fresh

Entering the season with the youngest average age of 20.9, the team have invested more in youth than experience this off season. With Adam Long departing for Invicta Slava Koulikov has brought in Jordan Marr to take over the crease duties. Though the team is young there is still plenty of experience in the line-up. Thomas Norton and Rob Ferrara will boss things at the back end, while up front Ales Padelek and James Ferrara will lead the offensive corps. With help of returning fan favourite Petr Stepanek. Though in their 20’s Glen Billing, Corey McEwen and Will Weldon all provide youth with plenty of experience. That will give any defence trouble on their day. This group will be hungry to go that step further and not only challenge for the title but win it.

Swindon Wildcats

The Wildcats trophy drought ended in 2018. The team that always seemed to have the right tools, but none of the luck finally saw that change as they hoisted both the Autumn and National Cups. Defeating the league champions, of both NIHL North and the South to do it. One can only wonder how it would have ended if a clerical error hadn’t scuppered their play-off push and forced them to forfeit game 1 of the semi-final against the Phantoms. But 2 trophies are better than none and it seems after many seasons of trying the Wildcats have found the winning formula

Having found the formula for winning Aaron Nell has only had to add reinforcements to his squad, Which has only seen the physical presence of Phil Hill leave for pastures new. The loss of Oliver Stone to MK Thunder has been easily remedied also. Tyler Plews and Sam Jones arrive to inject youth in to the line-up, but youth that comes with experience playing at a high level both here and abroad. When you add these pieces to experienced campaigners on the back end like Neil Liddiard and Stephen Whitfield and Sam Godfrey it’s safe to say Swindon has one of the best defences in the league. In net they have exciting goalie prospect, Renny Marr who on his day is a human brick wall that will frustrate teams no end. Add to this forward corps boasting one of the best imports in the league in Max Birbraer, Jan Kostal,Aaron Nell, the physical play of Edgars Bebris and Sam Bullas and you are looking at the most likely team to challenge Bracknell for the title.

Streatham Red Hawks

And so we arrive at our own Redhawks. Last season saw what I like to think of as a bridge roster that had its foundations in the worlds of the old EPL and NIHL. A roster that was high on youth and speed, with a good level of experience. However as coach Jeremy Cornish has admitted the team was lacking in areas. Despite this the team did not underperform, and was able to hold its own against the rest of the league. Claiming scalps from every EPL team except the Phantoms, even shutting out the Bison in their own rink.

If last season was a bridge between worlds Cornish fully crossed it this summer with a total revamp of the roster. While last season’s team was a mix of speed and size this year it’s all about size and physicality. A style that is perfectly suited to a rink like Streathams. The redesign saw 11 players depart, however the players brought in or retained are an upgrade in every area on the ice. Damien King, Rupert Quiney, Leigh Jamieson and Ben Russell all arrive to compliment the experience of Adam Carr and Michael Farn. Additionally the addition of Power Forward Alex Roberts adds a new offensive dimension to the team and solves the issue from last year of there being only 1 import. Jacob Ranson, Thomas Beesley and Andreas Siagris all provide the speed element for the team.  Though this team may struggle a bit on bigger size rinks, I expect it to make the High Road a formidable fortress for any team to lay siege to this season.

PREDICTIONS

So looking at all that how do I predict things will turn out? At the moment I see the Bee’s and the Wildcats as the stand out championship contenders. With Peterborough dark horse to make a push. However I must say outside the top 2, with all the additions, new imports and changes around the league this year things look a lot closer, and a lot more competitive. Any team that stumbles in to a strong run of form could well surprise the Bees and Wildcats at the top, in particular I can see London/Romford or Streatham playing this spoiler. Though I do suspect the Bison will struggle this season as the team gels and Coach Tait finds his stride, that said I doubt they will be a Fire 2.0, the new Bison will certainly pick up points. In fact this is the maddening factor in this years set up, everyone looks like they can take points off of each other.

 In the end though, we all start on zero. But once the pucks drop, the injuries pile up and the goals go in all this analysis will mean nothing. So let’s get this season started already.

Up In The Rafters:Shaking Off The Rust

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS SWINDON WILDCATS

SUNDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 2018

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME

So after a long summer of anticipation the 2018/19 NIHL 1 season will soon be under way. Before that though the Streatham Redhawks had the little issue of the pre- season to take care of. A chance to shake off the rust, and see what works and doesn't work ahead of next weekend when the points are at stake. And so we start the season where the last one left off. With a pre-season challenge against the Swindon Wildcats

Going in to this game the Wildcats were looking to wrap up a successful pre-season campaign that had seen the Cats free scoring and putting plenty of weight behind the belief that along with Bracknell they were favorites to take home the league title. The Cats roster wasn't much changed from last seasons. In fact the additions of Sam Jones and Tyler Pews had strengthened and already strong roster that had a little bit of everything, speed, skill and size.

While the Cats had played 3 games together by tonight, the Hawks had only played one outing together. Despite falling short by one goal in Swindon the Hawks by all reports had made a good account of themselves. This gave many at the High Road an air of hope and expectancy going in to the return leg against the much vaunted Wildcats. However they would have to make do without Thomas Soar and Andreas Siagris, some double shifting and staying out of penalty trouble would be needed for the evening ahead.

1st Period

It was a cagey start from both sides as they both probed each others defenses for weaknesses. However very soon the Wildcats would begin to assert dominance of possession, penning the Hawks in their own end. The Hawks would be unable to clear the puck or use transition play to break out as no matter where the Hawks put the puck a Wildcats stick was waiting. The Hawks would see some sporadic offence but the closest would be Michael Farn in a foot race with Aaron Nell attempting to break in on Tyler Perre.

Soon after Thomas Beeseley would force a turn over, that lead to Carr getting in alone however he could not convert the chance. Going back the other way the Hawks looked well disciplined in this phase of the game on defense. However the offense was struggling to progress past the Cats blue line. Then a broken play would see Aaron Nell with the puck on his stick and Damien King at his mercy but he somehow fired wide.

Swindon's pressure would soon pay off though as at 11:44 the Cats would break at speed, Sam Godfrey finding Adam Harding who would feed it through to Floyd Taylor who would slot it home to make the score 1-0 Cats

The Hawks tried to re-organise and go on the attack, but the Cats clogging of the neutral zone was neutralizing the Hawks attempts at up ice stretch passes. Despite this the Ryan Webb and Alex Roberts appeared to be developing a good partnership, the big man able to keep pace with the speedster. This lead to several chances at cross crease passes that Roberts either couldn't quite get to or were saved by Perre. Leigh Jamieson and Jacob Ranson would then also attempt the same play with Jamieson firing high and wide.

The period would end with the score 1-0 to the Wildcats, with the Hawks due to have 18 seconds of Power Play time at the start of the second, and looking to find a way to break out from the neutral zone that had been claimed by the Wildcats

2nd Period

Despite having a good deal of momentum at the end of the 1st, the Hawks would be unable to use the 18 seconds of power play time to make any kind of impact. They would find themselves again hemmed in  trying to withstand a sustained assault from Godfrey,Kostal and Bebris.

The Hawks would come so close soon after as Webb would break down the wing and feed a pass in to the crease area to a pinching Wood. He would attempt to stuff the puck home twice from close range however Perre would deny him. Digging for the puck would anger Godfrey and Liddiard who would both go to the box for roughing along with Wood. Gifting the Hawks a power play chance

The unit sent out that contained Farn, Carr and Roberts did a good job of moving the puck around and tested Perre and the Cats defense several times, looking to get Roberts the puck at the back post for a one timer and point shots from Farn was the game plan here

The Hawks would pull one back soon though, Farn would move at speed through the neutral zone, finding Roberts who would release Webb. Skating in at speed Webb would center the puck to a waiting Bailey who would shovel the puck home to make it 1-1 at 25:40

Swindon would immediately try to fire back with Sam Bullas firing one in from close range but Damien King was equal to this. Followed shortly after by Edgars Bebris working the puck round only to fire it in to Kings chest. The pressure would eventually pay off for the Wildcats though

Confusion between Warman and Russell would allow Floyd Taylor and Sam Jones to find space to get the puck in to the slot area where Taylor would fire it home to put the Cats back in front 2-1 at 28:09 The Hawks would attempt to fight back but the Cats had staked claim to the neutral zone and were repelling most offensive surges back. When the Hawks did manage to get in to the final third of the ice, a well drilled Cats D core would force the play in to the corners, or out to the boards. Where despite the size advantage the Hawks held, they would find themselves soon racing back to defend

It was one such broken play that saw Max Birbraer and Aaron Nell heading in on a 2 on 1 and it was only Nell firing high and wide that meant the game was still 2-1. However the Cats wouldn't have to wait long after this for their third of the night. Bailey found himself surrounded and stripped of the puck by Chris Jones, who would release Loris Taylor. Edgars Bebris would apply the finish cutting across the front of net to roof it over King to make it 3-1 at 30:18

Soon after Josh Condren would have a chance that was only denied by Whitfield taking a professional penalty hauling the big forward down as he broke away. After collecting an over the top pass Condren found himself almost in alone on Perre, and it was only the quick thinking of Whitfield that stopped what may have been a golden chance to put 2 on the board for the Hawks

The following power play showed flashes of brilliance. The trio of Roberts Carr and Quiney found chemistry here. Looking to play the puck down low in Gretzky's office behind the net, before going cross crease looking for Alex Roberts to fire home as has been seen in his highlights pack. Or alternatively ranged fire from the twin canons of Farn with Quiney when the two rotated to the rear.

Despite this the Cats held strong, and Tyler Perre continued to stand on his head. And the Cats D would clear every rebound, and cover their young net minder well. Yet at the end of the Power Play, it would be the exhausted Cats who would swing the pendulum of momentum back their way. Adam Harding and Sam Jones feeding the puck through to a waiting Aaron Nell who with acres of space simply had to release the shot and it was now 4-1 Wildcats at 33:42

3rd Period

The Hawks would start the third strong, they were finding a way through, however the final touch was missing. Shots would sail wide, or be fanned on. Any shots that did have purchase would be saved by Perre. Going the other way the Cats were looking just as lethal as they had all game. Edgars Bebris would come close and it was only King who stopped him as he once again pulled out his signature move of crossing the crease area looking for any gap or to draw King out.

Alex Roberts would then provide another flash of what I hope will be a successful season long partnership with Ryan Webb as he stripped Harding in the neutral zone and broke away with Ryan Webb in support. However Webb couldn't get the final touch on target. But the two were gelling well, Roberts moves with speed equal to that of Webb's which is surprising when you see him in person.

Soon after however the Wildcats would park the bus. Deciding to kill off the game they began a neutral zone blockade designed to tire out, the last energy in the legs of the Hawks. Not even dump and chase with the speed of Ranson, Webb or Beesley could brake through. The toll however had been taken and at 47:37  Alex Roberts was forced to make a desperation play hooking Wildcat(I'm sorry I missed who in my notes) and putting an already exhausted Hawks team on the PK

The Cats would use fresh legs, speed and accuracy to deadly advantage on this play. Moving the puck round to stretch the Hawks PK out of position until a succession of passes from Nell to Jones and finally to Birbraer saw the Canadian in alone with King at his mercy, King did all he could diving to save the shot but alas he was too late and it was 5-1 to the Wildcats at 48:10

Shortly after this the Wildcats would put the final exclamation on a dominant performance. A miscommunication between King and Gregory would see a failure to clear the puck and cover Loris Taylor. Taylor would strip Gregory and convert the turn over in to what I have to say was a wonderfully worked solo goal at 50:00

At this point Jeremy Cornish decided to change net minders and give Nate Gregory a little pre-season warm up time. Gregory would look impressive in his short stint in net, including being tested early on by a surging Aaron Nell and then a Birbraer shot, before just getting away with Kostal and Luc Johnson's attempt on a 2 on 1 sailing wide.

With the Cats taking the foot off the gas in the closing minutes the Hawks began to once again get some offensive traction. Beesley, Ranson and Webb all would attempt to use speed in order to make a zone entry. Once again Roberts and Webb were combining well causing chaos around the net with Bailey looking to pick up the garbage. Michael Farn would lead from the back in this phase quarterbacking the play from the blue line, looking for a way to fire one through and salvage some pride for the Hawks. But nothing either he or Quiney could create would beat Perre.

The game would close out there, with the Wildcats running out very convincing winners.

POST GAME 

What we witnessed during this game, was a team who has been playing together a few weeks. And is the number 1 contender for the title in my eyes VS a team who had outside of 2 weeks of training had only just assembled. The unfamiliarity showed, especially on the back end as the entire defensive core is adjusting to the way Damien King plays. And King is doing the same, adapting to his new defense, you see its different playing against someone to playing along side them. King had a night to forget stats wise, but it took till the final stages of the game before he was chased from the net, and didn't look out of his depth at all during the course of the game. In fact at one point with the Hawks unable to clear King was proving the difference in keeping the score down.

Coach Cornish won't have liked the end result, however with the way he was changing the lines around, it was clear to see he was using this game as an experiment to see what worked in a game environment. At one point I had a chuckle at Ryan Webb centering Leigh Jamieson and Alex Roberts, though I think may just have been on a bad change. Now you can argue a 6-1 loss nothing worked, well yes and no. As I said the team has played one game together, and are still adapting to a new home. Part of what will have played in to the result in Swindon will have been fresher legs, and that the game was at a rink most of the team have played a lot at in recent seasons. Through out the night the nuances of the Streatham rinks boards caught out many a player. I remember Alex Roberts attempting a bounce out off the zamboni end boards only to see the puck bounce back in to the defensive end and not out as he'd hoped.

There were things that worked, Roberts and Webb seemed to have good chemistry and just need one to find a finishing touch next weekend and that line will be a nightmare for teams with less mobile defenses. Michael Farn and Rupert Quiney paired off really well, and while defensive responsibilities should be their main focus they looked good together quarterbacking the play from the point. Quiney's utility as a forward was also well exploited when he was used on the power play unit. Leigh Jamieson seemed to fit in well, I quipped at one point the part of Ryan Watt will now be played by Leigh Jamieson as he went on end to end rush attempt after rush attempt.

The PK for the most part looked well drilled, as it did last season. The only goal it conceded was after the wind had finally been taken out of the team and the energy level was low. But once Andreas Siagris joins the team and Thomas Soar returns the team will have a full bench and so the players will not be as gassed as they were last night.

Despite that I was impressed with the energy level shown by new arrivals Thomas Beesley, Scott Bailey and Josh Condren. All the way to the finish these three showed no quit, Beesley in particular at times showed the tenacious attitude he has always exhibited which made me so excited to see him sign up this off season.

I know I have been overly positive here on a 6-1 loss, but the guys themselves will be beating themselves up enough without me pilling in on them over a pre-season game, against the joint title favorites. There were things I didn't like about the performance last night. In particular the number of penalties taken were concerning for a team running a short bench. The lack of a plan B for getting through the neutral zone concerned me, but that's something that comes with more practice and game time together, and several of those penalties were due to tired legs and players making a desperation defensive move.

The signs are positive, with a little more practice, a full bench and with the teams match fitness level up a bit more when Swindon visit us again in a few weeks time I suspect we'll give them more of a run for their money. I have no doubt the game against the Thunder on Saturday will be a much different game.