Up In The Rafters: Repelling The Raid

SUNDAY 7^th OCTOBER 2018

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS LONDON RAIDERS

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME

Coming in to this game, one of the main talking points was just what to call the Raiders, Romford or London? Of course the serious talking points were would the Raiders bounce back from a narrow defeat to Bracknell the night before. If they were to do so it would be without Blahoslav Novak, serving a suspension for a butt ending penalty the night before. There was plenty of talent across the roster though with energy forward Aaron Connolly, who can spark an offence in to life at any moment. And the leagues leading point scorer in Filip Sedivy, who has turned out to be quite a signing given he was a last minute replacement.

The Redhawks meanwhile were coming in to this game on a wave of momentum. Having swatted the Bracknell Bee’s last weekend the Redhawks had silenced the Thunder in a goal fest in MK that saw the team score 7 goals. Among them being Scott Bailey netting his first as a Redhawk, while Alex Roberts continued his points streak. The team would look to build off this momentum and try to chip away at the lead the Raiders had at the start of the night in the league table

1st Period

It would be a cagey start to the game, with the Hawks winning the opening face off. However shortly after, just as with the previous weeks games the Hawks would find themselves hemmed in to their own end. With Connolly and Huska, of the Raiders leading the charge. With the Hawks unable to clear the puck effectively the Hawks soon found themselves in penalty trouble as first James Warman and then Ben Russell were called for Hooking and then delay of game put the Raiders on a 5 on 3 early on

It looked as though the Raiders were going to convert early as a Dan Scott point shot found its way through, only Damien King prevented it finding the net. The ensuing rebound found its way to Scott who tried his luck again only for to sail wide. Matt Turner would find himself with an open net to put the puck in to but it would go wide some how in the melee around the net

However the Raiders fans wouldn’t have to wait long for the conversion, as an errant clearing attempt by Michael Farn would find a waiting Huska at the point, he in turn would get the puck to Scott who’s initial shot while saved would see Aaron Connolly pick up the rebound and fire it high in to the net to make it 1-0 Raiders

In an attempt to get back in the game the Redhawks would force the play the other way with Siagris and Webb looking for a tip shot on Gray but the keeper was equal to this. However this was an exceptional moment in a period of play which saw the Hawks unable to get past the neutral zone with the puck under any sort of control. The usual fluid passing game that had helped the Hawks pull out the wins against MK and Bracknell was not there.

However soon the Hawks would find a way through and the Raiders would find themselves trapped in their own end. At the mercy of the speed of Siagris and Webb again, however for the most part all this did was lead to battles in the corner. Any shots on net were being fired wide or high. Siagris would attempt to even the game on one of his patented up ice rushes. With the puck on his stick courtesy of Farn from the bottom corner the Canadian found himself in alone on Gray. However his attempt to go back hand sailed wide and the score stayed as it was.

Siagris again would then be key in the creation of a chance for Webb. As the two broke in at speed together he would center the puck looking for Webb but again the puck would sail wide as the Redhawks continued to struggle in front of the net. Alex Roberts would then draw a penalty from Liam Chong as he was hooked attempting to get a shot in.

However the resulting power play would yield nothing. With the Hawks kept to the outside and the best chance being a Leigh Jamiesons point blast that would sail just over Grays head. The period would close out 1-0 to the Raiders with the Hawks looking to find someway to spark their offence going in to the second

2nd Period

The Hawks would start the second trapped in their own end again, after a wayward pass off the opening face off saw them called for icing. This would be the catalyst to the Raiders running away with the period. As Farns failed clearance was intercepted by Chong who would feed Huska who would find a waiting Connolly ready to tap it home close range. 2-0 Raiders

The Raiders were now in possession of the worst lead in hockey, at first they decided to sit back. But after this allowed Scott Bailey to go cross crease and cause chaos for shot, with neither Webb or Siagris able to syiff in the rebound the Raiders opted to go all out offensively.

This would pay off at 21:37 as another defensive turnover off a clearing attempt would see the puck intercepted at the point by Sylvester. Sedivy would pass it across to Matt Turner who’s shot would squeak through the screen and under the arm of Damien King to make it 3-0 Raiders.

With a 3 goal lead the Raiders would now let the Hawks in a bit, confident in both the defense and goalie to deal with any threat the Hawks could throw at them. But not even a 5 on 3 power-play with attempts from Jamieson and Roberts could break the force field that seemed to be surrounding Grays net.

In fact the puck luck seemed to have deserted the Red Hawks completely as players fanned on shots, misplaced the puck, experienced puck bounces they weren’t expecting or blew edges while on scoring opportunities. It was one such fanned shot that saw Brandon Aylife release 1 on 1 with King however King was able to pad and cover the puck. Another intercepted clearance then lead to Aaron Connolly getting a good opportunity but again he was denied by King.

The Raiders by this point had parked the bus defensively and were forcing the Redhawks to play dump and chase. 

In an attempt to play through this the Hawks attempted an up and over out of their own defensive end. However the puck was intercepted by Jake Sylvester. He would get the puck out to the boards to Liam Chong. Chong would then feed it to a breaking John Connolly who would make it 4-0 Raiders.

With a 4 goal lead the Raiders went in to an ultra defensive phase of play. Happy to just catch the Hawks on the break. It lead to a period of play were no one could get purchase on the puck through the neutral zone as pass after pass was intercepted.

It seemed the writing could be on the wall at 37:13 after Jamieson was called for boarding and given 2 plus 10. Down a utility player, and about to kill a penalty the Redhawks fans could be forgiven for throwing in the towel at this point. However then something happened that turned the whole game on its head

At around 37:36 Adam Carr attempted to clear the puck up ice on the penalty kill. John Connolly would attempt to intercept the puck at the point only to lose a puck battle with Alex Roberts. The big Canadian would move with speed that was matched by Andreas Siagris as the two broke in 2 on 0 on Gray. Roberts would take aim and snipe the water bottle to make it 4-1 on the night. The shut out was broken and hope was kindled among the fans at the High Road

The period would end 4-1 to the Raiders. But with all the momentum going the Redhawks way as they had spent the final two minutes on the offensive. In my early season review I had talked about turning the High Road in to a fortress. Well at this point the Raiders were in the keep. It was time for the Redhawks to regroup and come up with a plan to take back the fortress.

3rd Period

The opening of the third period would set the tone of the game plan Jermy Cornish had come up with. Now Gray was beatable all that was needed was to get in close. With the neutral zone Raider territory this meant shoot on sight, even if it was from before the blue line. The idea was simple but effective force Gray to make saves and freeze the puck to get face offs. The key factor in all this would be winning those face offs.

Off the first test of the plan the puck would work its way back to Ben Russell who’s blast would be saved by Gray. Keeping the Redhawks in the Raiders end, leading to a sustained period of Hawks pressure. It did look at this point as if the Raiders had shut off, being 4-0 up they seemed to have lost the edge that had put them 4-0 up as they barely made it past the red line at centre ice.

The best chances of this phase of play would see Condren work the puck out of the corner to a waiting Soar in the crease area. However he couldn’t dangle his way past Gray to get that elusive first home goal. Webb Carr and Roberts would then attempt to go tick tack goal from the wing but again the puck was easily sighted by Gray. Condren, Beesley and Soar would try the same, but again Gray would be equal to the challenge.

However the plan seemed to be working, the Hawks now had the Raiders penned in and were generating offense. Not only this but they were getting the bounces they needed with one noteable exception.  But it would finally come when it looked like the curse on the team had struck again. Shooting in Farn found himself having to quickly recover the puck. He would play a hail mary down in to the corner for a waiting Roberts who would sneak it past Gray to a waiting Carr who simply had to tap it home and it was 4-2

With a 2 goal lead the Raiders came back to life, realising they had to go on the attack to restore the lead. In quick succession Aylife, Sedivy and Pitchley would all test King but King said no more on each shot attempt.

The Hawks continued with their game plan of controlling the play through forcing offensive zone face offs. And at 49:15 Julian Smith would end up taking a needless cross checking penalty on Webb. The 5 on 4 would becoe a 5 on 3 seconds later, as Alex Roberts was tripped by a prone Barry as the power forward attempted to out dangle the Raider

The powerplay would go to work using the cycle. Farn would pinch down to the half boards before laying it off to Jamieson. Closing on the net Jamieson would release only to see the puck rebond out, Jamieson would get a second crack at the goal but again Gray seemed to glove the puck. However it came lose and Alex Roberts was on the doorstep to send the Hawks fans in to raptures making it 4-3

Still with Barrys penalty to serve the Hawks powerplay went back to work. This time working the puck down in to Gretzkys office behind the net. Ryan Webb would win a battle in the corner that would see the speedster pass behind the net to a waiting Carr. Carr would then feed the puck back up the boards to Jamieson at the point. Instead of shooting Jamieson goes point to point to Soar who blasts the puck in to the net to tie the game at 4-4

The Raiders instantly looked to respond, once again trapping the Hawks in their own end. And with the pendulum of momentum going the Hawks way, a delay of game penalty against Leaigh Jamieson after he cleared the puck over the glass would see the momentum go back to the Raiders.

However it was the Redhawks, not the Raiders who would capitalize on this oppourtnity. For at least a minute the Redhawks PK frustrated the Raiders power play, clearing pucks and keeping the play to the outside. And then at 54:04 the game changed. With the Raiders unable to gain zonal control Andreas Siagris would intercept the puck at the point and break in alone on Gray. Just as with earlier he would go to his back hand. But this time he was on target sending the puck low past the keepers pad to make it 5-4 Redhawks

Shortly after it looked like the hockey gods were looking to torment the Redhawks further as Jacob Ranson was called for slashing after a heavy hit by Filip Sedivy. However again the Redhawks well drilled penalty kill would keep the puck to the outside lanes. And when shots did get released often they found a body blocking them.

The Redhawks would attempt a few more breaks, most noteably Ranson and Roberts repectively but the game had now become a defensive one for the Redhawks, as they hoped to hold the 1 goal lead. With 41 seconds left on the clock the Raiders pulled Gray for an extra skater

The best chance would come from Aaron Connolly cutting to the inside off a board battle and firing the puck straight in to Kings glove. This was then followed by another point blast by Scott however with 14 seconds left the Redhawks froze the puck by the boards and killed time. As the buzzer sounded the come back was complete and fortress High Road had been retaken.

POST GAME

I don’t know about everyone else, but part of me wishes this team would stop doing this to us. And the other part absolutely loves the drama we have had on the ice these past 3 home games. The opening 2 periods I will not sugar coat, were a nightmare, The Redhawks allowed the Raiders to come in and dictate the play from the start. The Raiders came in with a road game plan and executed it perfectly for 2 periods. As he always seems to do at the High Road Michael Gray stood on his head and was the difference for large parts of the game as he soaked up the barrage being thrown at him. Aaron Connolly and Dan Scott were a constant threat all evening and along with Huska always looked like they could scupper the come back at any moment. This game was there for the taking and instead of working for the win the Raiders went to sleep in the third and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

For the Redhawks it was a tale of 2 games in 1 tonight. The first two periods aside from Andres Siagris ,the efforts of Ziggy Beesley and Damien King doing all he could to keep the team in it, there wasn’t a whole lot to be cheerful about, Michael Farn in particular seemed to be having a difficult game which was in stark contrast to his man of the match performance the night before. The Redhawks didn't look like a team who had been playing together for a month, players were tripping over each other and not anticipating where team mates would be. What also didn't help in the first 2 periods was the desertion of the teams puck luck as it seemed everything that could go wrong when on the puck did go wrong for Streatham players. 

However the fight back in the Third was an incredible piece of on ice drama, inspired by the efforts of Siagris, Roberts Jamieson and turning it all around Michael Farn. I feel Scott Bailey,Ryan Webb and Josh Condren deserve a mention for their hard work in the third as well. It was also great to see Tom Soar break his scoring duck on home ice, he's been so close in recent weeks so it was good to see his hard work pay off at home.While the others did not get on the score sheet they were constantly generating face offs to allow success of Jeremy Cornishes master plan in the third period. But all in all a 4 point weekend means its a successful weekend. The boys now will have a week to work on things ahead of the visit of Invicta next Saturday. 

Up In The Rafters:Un-BEElievable

SUNDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2018

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS BRACKNELL BEES

STREATHAM HIGH ROAD

PRE GAME

One of the pre-season favorites, rolled in to Streatham Sunday night riding a wave of momentum. Having been undefeated in their opening 4 games the Bracknell Bee's would fancy their chances against a Streatham side that had just narrowly lost out to the Bee's just the week before. That being said it had been a close encounter and only won in the closing minutes of the game. Having seen the ghost of Frankie Bakrlik exercised the night before against Invicta the Bees would hand a debut to new import signing Niko Suoraniemi.

The Redhawks would look to jump start their season after 2 loses in a row on the road. And would see a full bench take to the ice. The key to beating the Bee's would be to play a physical and aggressive style that would choke off the speed and movement of the Bee's team.

1st PERIOD

Dean Skinns and Damien King would be handed the starts in net while in the face off circle Shaun Thompson would renew acquaintances with Adam Carr. In a shuffling of the lines Jacob Ranson would join the first line to provide energy and tenacity on one wing to match Alex Roberts speed and size down the other.

The opening phases of ply would see the Bee's assert themselves on the game, pinning the Hawks in to their own defensive end, unable to clear as Vanya Antonov and Thompson stick handled the puck around Hawks defense men. However the pressure would be removed when referee Blaine Evans called the Bees for a hand pass, that drew the ire of the Bee's travelling fan base. The Bees had all the offense in the opening phase of the game but were left frustrated by an inability to score a goal.

The disallowed goal served as a catalyst in the game giving the Hawks a way back in as chaos in the neutral zone saw Bailey, Webb and Siagris combine to create a break in, which was only denied by Dean Skinns making the save for the Bees. This would then be followed by Alex Roberts finding a way through, closing on net with a waiting Michael Farn the Canadian opted to shoot but it was fired in to a waiting Skinn's

The Roberts Carr Ranson line would get the fans on their feet in quick succession after this as Carr would feed a speeding Ranson through the neutral zone, cutting in to the net, with everyone beaten including Skinns all Ranson had to do was back hand it home. But carrying to much speed Ranson couldn't react quick enough and the puck sailed wide.

The game then descended in to a neutral zone war, as the active stick work of both turned the neutral zone in to poke check city. Turn over after turn over with no team able to create any cohesive offence. Eventually it would be the Hawks who would take advantage of this chaos to create some offence. First Ranson would go close again, before Webb Condren and Siagris would outwork the Bee's D to get a decent chance that Siagris fired high and wide. It seemed just like against the Thunder and Raiders the targeting sensors were just off the mark

The assault on Skinns net would continue as off a face off win in the Bee's end, Beesley would work hard to feed the puck out from behind the net to a waiting Wood. Who would exploit the space and time given to him by the Bees defense to beat everyone but the bar as his shot rang up and in to the wrong netting.

The Hawks would exploit space in the hash marks as the Bees D surrendered the middle of the ice, allowing Siagris and Roberts to test Skinns. Josh Bailey would have the best chance of this period of play as it rang off the post on a one timer off a Siagris pass. At this point the physical play of the Hawks and the speed of Siagris, Ranson and Webb was proving a nightmare for the Bee's to deal with.

However as the Bees looked to move the play back to the other end of the ice, an elbow by Rupert Quiney would see a crowd gather, however while there was no call on the play it would shift momentum the other way. Ringing a shot off the post before Shaun Thompson would think he had scored the go ahead goal, only for it to be washed out by referee Blaine Evans for a high stick.

This would shift the momentum back the Hawks way, and further to that a bench minor penalty to the Bee's would see them on the PK at 12:43 It would take 8 seconds of that power play for the Hawks to capitalize, off a face off win the puck would be passed from point to point between  Jamieson and Farn. Jamieson would fire the canon and Adam Carr would tip it in front of the net to deflect the puck up and over Dean Skinns to make it 1-0

The Bee's would almost instantly regroup and capitalize on trapping the Hawks in their own end. As Vanya Antanov and Shaun Thomoson ran the Hawks defense ragged. All the chaos around the net would pay dividends at 13:45 Aidan Doughty and Zack Milton would move the puck around the net and find Roman Malnik who would fire it home to tie the game at 1-1

The period would close out 1-1 with both sides going close to adding one more. Tom Soar came close to opening his account on home ice with a good effort at one end, before Thompson would use Smith as a mobile screen to squeeze in a shot that only just got padded away by King.

2nd PERIOD

The second would start with the Hawks forcing the momentum in to their favor. Once again the Neutral zone would turn in to turn over central as Beesley,Roberts and Webb would generate scoring chances off turnovers in the middle third.

The Hawks had shifted to a more physical style of play here, and were now working hard in the corners of the Bee's end. Ranson would come up with the puck from one such battle feeding it back to Farn at the point who's shot looked to be heading goalward till Dean Skinns gloved it.

Going back the other way Ryan Sutton would break 2 on 1 with Spearing in support. Sutton would get the shot off but the save would see Spearing digging around under King for a lose puck till the whistle blew. This was then followed by a close attempt by Thompson cutting in close across the crease area, but King would make the save.

The Bees would go on the power play soon after this as at 26:17 Andreas Siagris was called for hooking. However the Bees would not be able to convert on the resulting power play. The best chance coming when Antonov and Malnik combined for a point shot that went high and wide. But the Bees power play was kept mostly to the outside, as the Hawks well drilled PK once again went to work.

The Power play would be converted to even strength however at 28:52 as Scott Spearing decided to board Ben Russell behind the Hawks net and give up a penalty. The Redhawks would then go on the power play as Siagris returned to the ice, and looked to go ahead as Michael Farn blasted from the point to seemingly beat Dean Skinns. However once again Blaine Evans ruled no goal, this time for a foot in the crease.

This would shift the momentum in the Bee's favor, and at 30:20 they would build on it as a turnover at the Bees blue line by Farn would release Roman Malnik 1 on 1 with Damien King. Malnik would fire it by King to make it 2-1 Bees with a shorthanded marker.

But the Bees lead would not last long, as the puck was moved around the Bees net, in all the chaos at 30:58 after a chance by Russell was denied the puck would find its way to a waiting Siagris. This time Siagris would make no mistake as he roofed the puck by Dean Skinns to make it 2-2

The Bees would then get another chance to try and score on the advantage, as Leigh Jamieson would be called for charging after an awkward hit on Vanya Antanov as he was battling for the puck with Beesley. However despite the Bees working the puck round quick and looking for tip shots, and creating garbage around the net none could find a way through and the Hawks would keep clearing the puck.

Once off the Penalty kill the Hawks would once again see themselves in control of the game, after a hit from James Warman laid out Scott Spearing, Andreas Siagris and Scott Bailey would find themselves with Skinns at their mercy only for the puck to be deflected wide and then saved by a sprawling Skinns

However off the next face off, the Hawks would take the lead in spectacular fashion as Carr's face off win would find Alex Roberts waiting in the face off circle. Roberts with all the space, all the time and a clear line of sight would release the puck with such power that as it sailed goalward it connected with the tip of Dean Skinns stick knocking it clean out of the goalies hands and in to the back of the net at 38:06

The Bees would try to answer back as Harvey Stead, Josh Smith and Vanya Antonov but a forced turn over would release Webb, leaving the speedster in off a stretch pass from the Hawks end in 1 on 1 with Skinns only to fire it wide.

The Bee's would close out the period trying to create garbage goals with close in net crashes and chaos but no matter what they tried the Hawks kept taking out the trash and clearing the crease. The buzzer would sound and see the period end with the Hawks up 3-2

3rd PERIOD

The third period would begin the way the first had, with the Hawks being trapped in their defensive end. With Vanya Antonov and Shaun Thompson once again creating chaos moving the puck around. Sutton would also cause problems linking up with Galazzi on a drop pass attempt but once again King would deny the Bees, furthering the frustration after Shaun Thompson would go around everyone before a lay off to the point only to see the resulting shot sail in to Kings glove.

Going back the other way Jamiesons outlet pass would find Siagris, stick handling by every Bees player on the ice with Webb in support. Siagris would release from the face off circle, Skinns would make the initial save but Webb pounced on the rebound lifting it over Skinns to make the score 4-2 Hawks at 44:11

And so the Redhawks found themselves with the hardest lead to defend in hockey. The 2 goal lead, this present Jeremy Cornish with 2 choices, attempt to play defensive shut down hockey or go all out to get a 5th goal and seal things up. The problem being either would open the team up to allowing the Bees more offensive pressure.

The Hawks opted to park the bus and soak up the pressure, this would be complicated further by Adam Wood taking a boarding penalty at 48:49 however the power play would again not last long as after some successful defensive work by the Hawks, Shaun Thompson would hook a breaking Andreas Siagris.

The next face off would see the Bees get another shot at pulling one back as Josh Martin found himself free breaking at speed with the puck however again Damien King was equal to what the Bees forward could throw at him. The Bees would look to use speed on the puck to their advantage working the puck round quickly in the Hawks defensive zone. Using this approach Vanya Antonov would find a waiting Ben Paynter but Paynters release would find only Kings glove.

Once again after this the game would become pendulum like as the neutral zone shifted control from one side to the other, as turn over was repaid with turn over. Bees attempts at drop passes and centering passes were routinely intercepted, while Redhawks attempts at off the board plays were intercepted.

But the Redhawks had decided at this point to kill off the game, switching to a game of dump and chase. Opting to try and catch the Bees on the break and soaking up the pressure by parking the bus at the blue line. This would see a hit on Webb near the Hawks blue line release Bailey and Jamieson. Bailey would find himself in with Skinns at his mercy, but this time Skinns would make the save on both the initial shot at Ryan Webb's rebound attempt

With 51 seconds left on the clock Dough Sheppard would call a time out for the Bees. And with a face off far from his own net would decide to pull Dean Skinns for the extra attacker. Again Antonov and Thompson would cause chaos around the Hawks net as they had done all night, and with seconds to go both would ring shots off the posts. But it was not enough, and the buzzer sounded to end the game 4-2 to the Streatham Redhawks

POST GAME

A much needed win for the Streatham Redhawks here, after 2 consecutive defeats this will have been a huge confidence boost to the team. This was another incredible game to witness first hand, and will have hopefully hooked in any new fans we had in attendance. I happened to notice several new fans who had been enjoying the game up in the top block with us checking the fixtures banner as I left the arena.

I said at the start of this article the Hawks needed to play a physical aggressive small rink style game, and that was exactly what they did. They exploited what I think is Doug Sheppard's weakness, physical small rink games. All the years I spent in Basingstoke the one thing I noticed was if the Bison tried to match teams like Guildford or Telford who play in the corners, on a small ice pad they often lost. And just as I predicted tonight, his team tried to beat the Redhawks in the corners and lost out.

Not to discredit the Bees of course they played an incredible game, and hung in there to the end. Vanya Antonov and Shaun Thompson were well worth the entry fee alone making things happen and running the Hawks D ragged. However the Hawks did a good job of closing off their passing options and ways out of the corner when they were forced wide. But Thompson was well deserving of his man of the match beers, as he was a constant source of offensive creation all evening.

Looking up and down the roster tonight there wasn't anyone on the Hawks roster I felt wasn't deserving of the man of the match beers. Andreas Siagris was well deserving of them, he was an offensive thorn in the side of the Bees all night and took his goal well. Alex Roberts, Ryan Webb, Scott Bailey and James Warman to me all had stand out nights that deserving of man of the match too. Its good to see the goal scoring spreading around now, as in the early games it was worrying that certain players were struggling to get on target. Things are most certainly starting to take shape well for the Redhawks, hopefully they can now build on this and put a run together.

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.

Taking Flight:Coming in to land

TAKING FLIGHT

COMING IN TO LAND

So last post I looked at the returning members of the 18/19 Streatham Redhawks. This post I will look at the new faces landing at the High Road for this coming season. And where I think they will fit in the established line up of the Hawks

Damien King

So in a recent press release Jeremy Cornish stated, he was building the team from the net out. So we shall do much the same here as we welcome former Invicta Dynamo's net minder Damien King to Streatham for his debut season as a Redhawk.

“He's capable of winning games on his own and is very excited to be joining the RedHawks. Every team needs strong goal tending and I'm really looking forward to seeing how Damien plays in front of a stronger defence this year.

He is very athletic, takes his hockey seriously and wants to win. He is another player we have signed this year that has experience of winning trophies and we're hoping he contributes to helping us achieve our goals this year.”

One thing Coach Cornish has said when building this seasons team is he wants experience. In Damien King he gets just that, bringing in a net minder experienced at both EPIHL and NIHL level. On the surface to casual observer this may seem a strange signing, trading Matt Colclough for the goalie of a team that finished second from bottom, and who regularly conceded a lot of goals. But even the greats like Brodeur and Roy would be hard pushed to put up dominant figures with the kind of defense King had last year(to be fair the Mo's were often short benched, and no D will hold forever against being tired and worn down) King brings a winners mentality with his experience, having back stopped the Dynamos to victory over the all conquering Chelmsoford Chieftains in the play offs 2 seasons ago. He has also been a Southern NIHL All Star twice. With the Defense that is being built in front of him I can see King doing well in Streatham

Rupert Quiney

Along with this posts main event signing, Rupert Quiney is a player I am very excited to see line up in Streatham. And in his own words he's excited to be doing so as well as its his homecoming. The 28 year old started out in the Streatham Scorpions at the old rink, and since then has gone on to play in Canada and the Elite League. He brings a high experience and ability level, not only that Quiney brings size which he uses so well, aside from size he'll provide a winning pedigree having been part of the double winning Telford side of 14/15 and the double winning Guildford Flames of 15/16.

“He has family ties to the club and has played here before. For those fans that aren't familiar with Rupe, they will enjoy his no nonsense approach to the game. Rupe is a big defenceman that can move the puck well and is very good in his own end.

We need to make improvements all over the ice this year and signing Rupe is one of the first moves we have made to better our team. Rupe has iced in the top level of the game here in the UK and won a number of trophies throughout his career. His experience will be welcomed as we look to improve on last season.”

Another utility player that will help give Cornish flexibility in the event of injuries(something his team badly needed last season) on the tight ice of Streatham he's going to be right at home, was always a pain both in the corners and in front of the net when I saw him play in Guildford against Bison. To go with these should any thing blow up in the corner Quiney will have no problem sticking up for himself and team mates,having gone toe to toe with some of the EPL's biggest enforcers. His canon of a shot, should provide a third option for the power play offensively to go along with Farn and Jamieson on the blue line. 

Ben Russell

To look at the Ben Russell's career stats, you would not believe he is only 24 years old. Already with 312 games under his belt, and 100 or so of those having been spent in Canadian and American junior leagues, Ben brings a nice mixture of youth to the defensive corpse while also providing a quality skill set gained from his time in Canada's Ontario Hockey Academy.Which means he also brings the experience of playing against tough opposition overseas. Giving his game a bit of an extra edge 

“Ben is another player we have signed to help strengthen our defence and from all of the reports I have had, he should be able to do that said Coach Jeremy Cornish.

Ben gives 100 percent every time he's on the ice and has a very blue-collar approach to his game. He was part of a Peterborough team that went right to the last weekend of games last year competing for the league title and even though he's not old, I'm hoping that experience he's had will help our team this year.

Ben will have an opportunity to log some big minutes for our team and face some of the best players in our league week in and week out. I'm excited to get him in a RedHawk's shirt and I know he feels the same way.” 

As Coach Cornish states above, Ben has been signed to strengthen the D and he will do just that. His no nonsense, do every thing a defense man should do right style will blend well with the rest of whats been assembled on the Hawks blue line. Russell also chips in some more of that vital experience factor that Jeremy Cornish wants in this team, at 24 he's very much a veteran player with experience of being part of a title contender, and of various different leagues and styles of play as well as having been part of the GB junior set up, so he knows how to adapt his game, and be a role player on the team. While not an enforcer Russell is used to the rough stuff and will drop the gloves if he needs to. I'd expect Russell to be used more defensively than offensively, most likely he'll be used in a stay at home D role. 

Joshua Condren

A large part of July in England had folks sinGing its coming home. But for Josh Condren it was more a case of I'm coming home. The Croydon native, and product of the vaunted Guildford Junior system makes his debut for his boyhood team. At 22 Condren provides youth and energy in a team that coach Cornish has said by design is older and more experienced

“Josh is a type of player you hate to play against, he works extremely hard and is looking forward to pulling on a RedHawks jersey” said Head Coach Jeremy Cornish.

I’ve had the pleasure of coaching and playing against Josh in the past and I know I exactly what he’s going to bring to the table. He’s looking for a fresh start and bringing in another local lad is fantastic. I can’t wait to see how Josh progresses throughout this season.”

Despite his youth Condren is already very experienced, at over a 100 games in the NIHL system, and was part of the Dynamo'splay off winning team of 2016/17. Though he doesn't put up huge numbers, that isn't the be all and end all of a player contribution. Like Ranson he's more of a 2-way defensive forward who works hard at both ends of the ice. He plays a 200ft game as coaches are known to say. At 6ft 1 and 185lbs according to Elite Prospects Josh will provide muscle, with a work horse attitude on the depth end of the team, id expect him to also see time on the penalty kill, using his size, and work ethic to win the puck battles. 

Scott Bailey

Bringing another dose of youth and energy Bailey, at 21 though Bailey already has a lot of experience for such a young player. Having come up through Guildford and Slough jr ranks as a prolific points gatherer, he then headed to North America to play in several Junior leagues in both Canada and the US. Before joining up with the Manchester Phoenix during their final season. Quoted as having a Good hockey brain, his education and experience reflect this.

He's got good size, skates well and can put the puck in the net when given the opportunity. Scott will have the opportunity to play with better players this year and I hope this translates into Scott being extra motivated to help our team win. Scott is looking forward to joining us this year and I'm hoping he becomes a fan favorite on the High Road.”

Bailey is someone Cornish says he has been after for some time, though his numbers are not huge I would say that has more to do with the way he's been used and the line mates he has had, as everyone knows in the old EPIHL anyone 21 and under was usually riding the pine unless they stood out like Vanya Antonov. Also you only have to look at his numbers in North America, to see that if put with the right pairing he has the potential to up his productivity. 

Thomas Beesley

All the size in the team means not a lot of speed. Size means corner wars in both ends, but its all well and good playing it to the corner but if you havent got someone to beat the opposition to that corner its pointless. Thomas Ziggy Beesley, along with Webb, Siagris and Ranson provides that element. Beesley spent last season with The Raiders, but before that was in the EPIHL with Bracknell. So though young he's already had plenty of game experience.

“Ziggy is a player I have been impressed with over the last couple of seasons” said Head Coach Jeremy Cornish.

He’s quick, loves playing and can slot in anywhere in the line-up. The reports I have on Ziggy is that he’s an intelligent player and can play systems effectively. It didn’t take long for Ziggy and I to reach an agreement and I think he’s looking forward to a fresh start in Streatham.”

I always used to describe Thomas Beesley as a player you hate when he's not yours. When I would see him against the Bison in the EPIHL, and last season against Streatham he always stood out for me as a clone of Alan Lack, but with more foot speed. A constant pain, harassing opponents and not afraid to get in somone's face if they took liberties. His energy, speed and skill will be a welcome addition to the transition play of the team as they attempt to move the puck up ice. 

Thomas Soar

Size and experience, that was the blue print for this seasons team. But all the size and experience will mean zero if you can not put the puck in the net. with the addition of Thomas Soar the team secures all 3 of those requirements. At 25 Soar has already amassed 325 games of pro experience, for a total of 335 points. Despite playing last season in the new NIHL north with power houses like Telford, Hull and Sheffield Soar was still able to keep point production to a high level, ending the season inside the top 20 for goal scoring both in the North and across the NIHL as a whole .

“We are very lucky to have secured the services of Tom this season” said Head Coach Jeremy Cornish.

He’s working and living in the city now and lives fairly local to our rink. He’s put up some decent numbers over the last couple years up in the North. He’s also looking to test himself this season playing in a new league and seeing what our club has to offer.

Tom has excellent size and will give us the offensive punch we were lacking at times last season. Tom will also give us more leadership and experience and that will be beneficial for our younger players.”

As I said, Soar meets the blue print, and now provides me with a bit of a head ache drawing up my projected lines for the season. No doubt he will feature on the top 2 lines, as well as providing another potent weapon on the power play. He most certainly provides that extra scoring punch and depth the Hawks were lacking last season, as in some games that extra guy outside the first line who could score any time was missing. Soar fills that gap in the line up.

Alex Roberts

Behind a lack of experience, the biggest flaw in the 2017/18 Streatham Redhawks was the absence of a second import. Certainly the mid season arrival of Andreas Siagris added a new dimension to the teams play. Sadly the team was not in a position to add another import last season. However Jeremy Cornish realized this coming season that he would need to add this extra dimension. The signing of Alex Roberts ticks boxes in the columns of size,skill and experience. 

“He has excellent size that will add to the much larger team we will have this season. Alex has good hands and speed from the reports I have had back and it’s tough to find players that have that unique skill set.

He will be able to play in all situations and I’m looking forward to seeing how he links up with our returning faces and the new signings we have made this summer. I would also like to thank Graham and Dawn for making this signing possible, they have been instrumental in helping me improve the team from a year ago.”

Having looked at video of Alex Roberts I am very excited by this signing. While Albertan junior hockey is a different world to NIHL 1,it is in my opinion a league of a higher caliber. Roberts as Cornish states has incredible speed for a player of his size. He also has a nose for the net, the majority of his goals are from a few feet out. Something that frustrated me last season was the inability of the team to stuff home rebounds and cross crease passes, so its good to see a player who can convert these to goals. Roberts adds a utility dimension as his size will be useful both on PK and PP. He reminds me to a degree of former Bison player Joe Greener. If that's any indication then Streatham have signed a great import.

Leigh Jamieson

So my life as a hockey fan comes full circle. In 2008 I began watching hockey at the Coventry Skydome with the Coventry Blaze. Part of that Blaze line up, one Leigh Jamieson. It was a jaw dropping announcement for me when I saw it, that Jaimo as my friends from MK refer to him was coming to the High Road, increasing the size of the Redhawks I like to refer to as "THE MK CONNECTION" 

“I always liked his size and the skill he possesses and I'm really looking forward to seeing him in a RedHawks shirt.

He's won a number of trophies throughout his career and I know we lacked a bit of experience last year, so this signing should help with our veteran presence on the ice and in the locker room.

Leigh played for a strong Peterborough side last year that was in the title hunt right until the last weekend of the year and that experience should help us moving forward in the new-look league.”

Experience, experience, experience is the mantra of this off season from Jeremy Cornish(its a point I have probably made way too often in these past 2 blogs) but Jamieson brings so much more than experience, he brings additional leadership,flexibility of position being able to play both defense and as a forward(though he has mostly been used as a forward in recent years) but also he brings the experience of a champion. Having won multiple league and play off trophies with Belfast, and Milton Keynes, the last being the final EPIHL Play off final in 16/17. What Cornish has landed is a strong all round player he can look to, to lead both on the ice and off, while also generating plenty of offence, while also adding another offensive option on the blue line for the power play. Alongside Adam Carr and Farn the team now has an incredible on ice leadership core. 

Conclusion

So that's both the returning Hawks and the new faces all signed up and ready to go. The Hawks are most definately stronger than they were last season. I dare say if the Hawks had, had this line up last season a play off push beyond the semi final may have been on the cards. But the league has strengthened with them, however I certainly think this Redhawks team has a chance to be in the mix If everything clicks. Its obvious to me that Cornish has  adopted a sort of  siege mentality, by building a team to repel all invaders at the high road. While hopefully picking up a few points away from home. A strong home record can really be the difference in a title race and hopes for play off seeding so I can see the sense in this approach. Only a few more weeks till were underway,so I'll see you all at the arena.