Taking Flight: Returning to the nest.

TAKING FLIGHT

RETURNING TO THE NEST

Welcome to the first Taking Flight. In these articles I will detail the signings made during Jeremy Cornish's team building of the Streatham Redhawk's for the upcoming 2018/19 NIHL 1 season.

I am a big fan of the way Jeremy Cornish built the 2017/18 Redhawk's. Streatham High Road is not the biggest of rinks, typically small rink teams are built using big heavy hitters with low speed and plenty of size. The idea being to punish your opponent by beating them up in the corners and forcing them in to center ice where you defensive fore-check can obliterate them at the blue line, while your team collapses in.

However coach Cornish recognized not every team has ice like this, and while being able to beat up on the opposition does make for entertaining hockey(in the sense of big hits not tooth breaking brawls) he realized the team needed speed not just for the High Road, but for on the road as well. Which lead to some amazing up ice rushes and stretch pass plays this past season which became one of the signature offenses of the Redhawk's.

But that was last year, and what does the 2018/19 season have in store for us? Who will be pulling of the red and white this year? Well so far we know some who will and some who sadly wont be. I personally was devastated to learn of the end of my favorite line of Webb Carr and Watt or WCW as I refered to them. Yes sadly much like its wrestling namesake WCW is no more as Ryan Watt, along with Ben Paynter, Brendan Baird and Aidan Doughty have all signed in Bracknell for Doug Shepphard's new look Bee's side. The loss of Doughty for me also is unfortunate as he fit the mold of last seasons team perfectly, highly skilled, lots of size but had speed to burn as well surprisingly. Also popular penalty killer Joe Allen and last seasons number 1 net minder Matt Colclough are also both known to not be returning. But we wish the best of luck to all those departing the club. Just try not to have too good a night when you come back to the High Road ok boys.

However Coach Cornish has not been resting, he has been busy and already by now the Redhawks have a total of 11 skaters and 2 goalies signed up. So the team building is well underway. And who are these 13 faces, well lets meet them now in Taking flight.

The returnee's

I am going to start with those making a return to the High Road for this year, then I'll look at those new faces coming in next time.

I hope the club wont mind but I have borrowed quotes from each of the signing press releases.

Nathan Gregory

I like to say when it comes to team building, build from the net out. So I will do the same here. Nathan Gregory, the younger of the two Gregory brothers in the team, was an exciting prospect to watch last year.

He keeps himself in top shape and this year he will be looking to challenge Damien for ice time. I think we now have the best goal tending pair in the league and I'm relieved we have two very capable goalies at our disposal.”

“I know Nate wants to work hard in training to push Damien and I hope they form a strong bond to help our team win. Nate has never let me down when called upon and can face any team in our league and get a result.

Unlike a lot of young goalies in the NIHL Gregory was given his fair share of matches, and wasn't simply thrown in when the team was up by 8. He split the season with the departing Mathew Colclough both in the league and the cup playing in 28 league games and 7 cup games.  Though posting a .898 save percentage in league action, his on ice performances I witnessed looked very strong, always had a good eye for the puck and had good positioning. He will most certainly not want to sit back and watch from the bench he has it in him to push King for the starters job, so it will be intriguing to see how that duel pans out. At the same time working with an experienced net minder like King can only help bring on the youngster.

Jordan Gregory

Jordan Gregory really impressed me last year, I couldn't believe the former Bracknell graduate was only 22 as the way he played was that of a defense man with many more years experience. He's the blue chip defensive prospect of the team in a way.

“He's a big, tough d-man that can move the puck very well. Jordan's attitude is fantastic and he always takes a team-first approach to his game. Even though he had a few offers from around the league, I was pleased he decided to stay with us. Jordan likes the direction the team is heading and I'm happy he wants to be a part of it.”

He fits the check list of playing at the high road perfectly, plenty of size and strength which he used to good effect last year, and was rewarded with high level minutes. But also able to move at speed in order to keep up with the faster forwards on the rush. Suspect he'll be in a battle with Warman to claim the number one pairing slot alongside Farn.

James Warman

I like to think of James Warman as something of a small rinks expert. Having started out in Telford and played in Grimsby, Bristol Cardiff and Streatham since 2013 its safe to say the 25 year old knows how to work defensively in a tight space.
As Coach Cornish described him

“James is one of the last remaining players from when I took over a couple years ago and there's a big reason for that.

He keeps himself in top shape and plays the game the right way. He's one of the most underrated defensemen in the league and a player that is horrible to play against because of his ability to hit in open ice”

 A former GB Jr international Warman while not being the most offensive D man provides what is needed on a team that depending on how its built could go looking to use speed to execute its attacks, he is a stay at home defense man who you can rely on to hang back and cover the play from there. And his hard hitting no nonsense style means he is very tough to shake in a corner war. Though only posting 3 goals and 6 assists last year he has a good back hand release if in space, and has a very powerful slap shot which when used did lead to a few tip ins last year.

Adam Wood

Adam Wood meets that requirement that coaches look to have at least one of in their teams. A utility player, someone who can play both forward and defense. Wood spent most of last season out due to injury, but the big power forward makes his return to the high road fully fit for 18/19

“He’s got great size and can play forward and defence effectively. He’s also a team-first player that understands how important it is to wear a Streatham jersey. He will once again be an alternate captain and this is a role he respects and is very good at.”

Woods size will be an incredible asset on the back end of this team, I can not understate how important a big body in the defensive zone is at a small rink like Streatham's. I expect given his experience as a forward for him to show good offensive transition as well, while also being more than capable of pinching down from the blue line if needed.

Jacob Ranson

Jacob Ranson, or Taylor Swift as my flat mate likes to refer to him due to his golden hair. Is not your prototypical defensive forward.When I first saw Ranson on try out at Bison he was an offensive energy player who I nicknamed The Flash for his speed. However now a defensive forward Ranson plays like a terrier both on and off the puck(I really hope Jacob doesn't mind that comparison) not phased by how big the opponent is Jacob will throw himself in to the play and use all his energy to move it up ice or harass the opponent.

Jacob is very intelligent and plays the game the right way. He can play up and down the line-up and rarely makes a mistake. Jacob also never hesitates when sticking up for himself or a teammate. I'm really pleased we could get Jacob back this year, his speed is unbelievable and hopefully with more opportunity should be able to improve on last season.

Ranson was part of the team split between speed and size last year, and provided that speed in the lower order. I see him as a more skilled on the puck Alan Lack, scrappy and not phased by any opponent, but with the speed and hands to make opposition defenses look stationary when he skates by. Only draw back to Ranson's game is his low scoring rate, but you're not looking for goals in a defensive forward. But as Cornish said, if more opportunity is created for him he should improve on this.

Ryan Webb

If Jacob Ranson is The Flash, then Ryan Webb is Quicksilver or maybe Flash from another dimension if were to stick with a DC theme. Anyway part of the Speed force on the Hawks last year with Ranson(The others being Alex Sampdford and Andreas Siagris, both of who'm I'd personally love to see back) Ryan Webb, was the speedster of the WCW line last year. While Watt stick handled, and Carr provided the net presence Webb would often provide the drive down the wing to a corner that set up a large chunk of this lines goals.

"He keeps himself in excellent shape and takes his hockey very seriously. He had a much improved year last year playing on our top line with Carr and Watt and I am hoping he can continue where he left off at the end of last season.”

For Ryan to be effective he knows that he needs to play the game at a high speed and go into the tough areas to score goals. He is one of the most reliable players I have had the pleasure to coach and I can't wait to start the season with him in the line-up.”

With Ranson and Scott Bailey signed up it looks very much like Cornish is looking once again to have speed on every line. Webb will most likely retain his place on the first line as the speedster with Carr and possibly new arrival Leigh Jamieson using his size to create space for Webb to move in to. With 13G and 15A last season he was highly productive, and I share Jeremy Cornish's belief he can kick on and follow up on this success.

Andreas Siagris

The 3rd member of last seasons Streatham Speed force, and the first import signing for 18/19, and the player I most wanted to see return. Siagris provided some much needed speed and creativity in to the team last season when he arrived half way through, bringing with him the added experience of time spent in Canadian junior.

"The 20 year old British Columbia native joined us towards the end of last season and scored 12 goals and 7 assists in 23 games.

Andreas signed after the start of the season and I think it took him a while to get up to speed” said Head Coach Jeremy Cornish

Having said that, he finished the season very strong and became one of our best forwards by the end of the year. He's not the biggest of players, but plays the game at a high speed and the puck seems to follow him around the ice.”

Siagris was one of the brighter stars of the second half of last season. He perfectly uses his size to his advantage zipping in and out of skating lanes, always finding the puck and working it up ice. Much in the same way Tomas Karpov of the Bison was known to do. Had an eye for the net with 12 goals, and every time you saw he had open ice and the puck on his stick you could see he was going to create something. If he can pick up where he left off last year there's no reason he can't improve on his 12 goals and 7 assists.

Michael Farn

The MVP defense man of last seasons Redhawks returns for another season at the High Road. One third of what I am calling the MK Connection, Farn was an absolute beast on both blue lines for Streatham in 17/18. Be it clearing threats in the defensive end or back stopping the Hawks Poweplay bombing in shots from the blue line Farn put in performances that I do not doubt had other coaches making inquries about his services this year.

"It's no surprise that he won the Player of the Year award this year. He was fantastic for us both on and off the ice and I think we may even see more of his game after a year in the league. Michael is a game changer and a player that is very poised on the puck, he's a leader and hopefully with some stronger support around him he will be able to have anther strong season." 

Michael Farn provided a steadying presence on the bench for the Redhawk's, I think a big part of what brought on the game of James Warman and Jordan Gregory was the defensive leadership of Michael Farn brought. As Cornish says above with better support he feels he can be even better, and in the form of Rupert Quinney and hopefully whoever else the coach has planned he will receive this. I expect Farn to once again take up the role of defensive leader and the first weapon of choice on the point for both power plays and even strength. It was his 2 way defensive play that lead to him leading the Hawks in points last season with 12 goals and 34 assists. A large chunk of these assists coming off of moves he created from the back or deflections and rebounds off his point shots.

Adam Carr

The most important signing for any hockey coach besides his starting net minder in my view is your captain and your number 1 center. In the second third of the MK Connection Jeremy Cornish signed this last year, leading goal scorer in all competitions with 23 goals and a leader on and off the ice Carr brings with him the experience of an 18 year career, in which he was part of multiple championship winning teams. Including the Playoff championship winning MK ligtning in the last season of the EPL.

"He's a fantastic player and even better leader. He's won a number of trophies throughout his career and if we have our sights set on being a better team this year, Adam will be a big part of that. I know Adam enjoys playing for Streatham and I hope the fans are as excited with this signing as am. It shows how far the club has come over the last couple years if we can recruit players of Adam's character and skill"

A constant threat around the net, either stuffing home rebounds, or scoring with his wrist shot Adam Carr was is in every sense of the word a leader. Does everything right as a center man, buzzes the net looking to screen and collect the garbage, while also providing support for his line mates going to war in the corners, combine this with Webb's speed and you can see why the two worked so well together last year, as I said above in Webb's intro I expect these two to be reunited so we can expect this approach to continue bearing fruit.

So that is all of the returnee's ahead of the 18/19 season. Up next will be all the new faces announced so far.

ALL QUOTES TAKEN FROM:http://streatham-hockey.co.uk/

Surviving The Final 4 Weekend.

SURVIVING THE FINAL 4

FRIDAY

So the NIHL Final 4 play off weekend is over. Congratulations to the Basingstoke Bison on a truly dominant performance that saw the Herd Stampede past the Tigers to a 4-0 victory.

A few weeks ago I wrote a little guide for everyone on how best to survive the weekend. To all who read it thank you, and to the EIHA thank you for choosing to use it on your web site. I hope it helped any new comers to make the most of the weekend.

So what of the weekend just gone? Typically here at 2 For Flinching I like to do match analysis. But this time I have decided to leave that up to the likes of Banners On The Wall, 482 Days and David Carr. What I'd like to do is give a fans reflection on the weekend

Going in to this years Coventry weekender I had my fears, the loss over the years of the Manchester Phoenix,Guildford Flames and Milton Keynes Lightning fan bases. Had not only left holes in the league table but also a few gaps in the seating chart of the Skydome arena. And I was worried these gaps would prove too big to fill.That the weekend would be a disaster financially and an event I love so dearly would die. So I began trying to think of this weekend, not as another EPL weekend but as the league had advertised it. The First NIHL weekend, and the first of anything will have its ups and it's downs, and things could only grow from here. So I opened my mind and jumped in my friends car and left London for Coventry on the Friday

Check in did nothing to help y nerves though, the revelation we were the only other fans the hotel had seen was a shock as it was already 3 by the time we arrived, later when we decided to take a run around the city to squeeze in a little exercise we failed to spot anyone in any kid of hockey gear. We swung by the Windmill but the usual crowd of supporters spilling on to the street wasn't there yet. Where was everyone I began to ask? When we did get back to the hotel after dinner we met up with the rest of the Bison fans and the lack of ticket sales became a hot topic. Bison we knew had sold a lot, Swindon had sold out, Telford had sold a fair chunk as well. But looking at the NIHL classic blocks made me worry even more.

SATURDAY

TELFORD TIGERS VS PETERBOROUGH PHANTOMS

AND

BASINGSTOKE BISON VS SHEFFIELD STEELDOGS

The next morning I awoke, full of excitement. It was now day 1 of the play off weekend. 2 days 4 games, despite my nerves over the weekends success I was excited. But sadly I soon learned of the disaster in Canada that had wiped out the entire Humboldt Broncos, and I had to take pause as I am sure many hockey fans both in Coventry and Nottingham did that morning. But as my friend Jess would soon remind me, the show must go on, and that's how the Bronco's would want it.

Arriving at a very empty Spon Gate around 10 I once again became alarmed, in previous years it was near impossible to get a table in Spon Gate at that time, and then it hit me. My friends from MK were not there this year, again my thoughts dwelled on those gaps in the seating charts. And then, A unicorn, a Zebra, a Cow, a Giraffe and Mr Blobby all walked in to a bar....no that's not a joke it was the vanguard as I like to see it of a group of fans who would steal the show from the stands. The fans of the Whitley Warriors. Soon they had filled out a fair section of the pub, and soon the place was full of fans from all manner of fan bases. Telford, Peterborough,Bracknell, I even spotted Dawn Danger of Streatham chatting with Isle Of Wight fans. It all brought a smile to my face as I realized yes we had lost fans, but maybe we had found others to take their place.

As we sat outside on the lawn by the dome, my friends and I did a little people watching to pass the time. Seeing how big the queue to get in the building was, we had decided to take it easy. My apprehensions about the weekends success fell further as I began to pick up on all kinds of jerseys from around the league,MK thunder, Billingham Stars,Solihull Barons, Solway Sharks, Bristol Bulldogs, Brampton Battalion and even MK Lightning. I even ran in to a couple who had come all the way from Germany, and had made visiting the final 4 weekend part of their trip before heading on to Nottingham the next day.

THE BISON BUILDERS GATHER OUTSIDE THE DOME
(Thanks to Jo Loat for these)

We settled in for Game 1 of the weekend, Telford Vs Peterborough. A game that had a lot of questions surrounding it given neither side had faced each other that season. However the atmosphere in the dome seemed capped through out this, almost as if the fans in the arena were trying to figure it out much like the Phantoms and Tigers players were trying to do on the ice.

THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Both images here courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

The game was hardly the entertaining curtain raiser we had hoped for. And the Tigers were barely tested by a Phantoms side that was living up to the criticism they had been receiving of playing boring unimaginative hockey. And aside from the 4 goals not much was going on to get the crowd out of their seats. After 3 periods we had a winner and it was the Telford Tigers who took the first play off final spot.

Images Courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

Game 2 would see some un-capping of the atmosphere in the building. Maybe it was the effect of everyone having a few drinks in the break, but for some reason there was a more jovial atmosphere seeping across the building. And there seemed to be two competing sources for this joyous atmosphere. First was what I will dub the Bracknell Beer Bottle Brigade. A group of Bee's fans who were quite merrily leading Bison fans in chants, and somehow pulling off the miracle of getting Bison fans to chant Bee Army back at them.

Images courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

                                   
But also, with the chant of "Dogs Are Wearing Pajamas" in reference to the Steeldogs jerseys the fans of the Whitley Warriors seemed to have taken up the mantle of atmosphere creation. Along with making the Bison fan base its puppets for the duration of the game as they chanted Stand Up For The Bison at intervals.

The Turning Point Milan Kolena's missed Penalty shot

Meanwhile on the ice the tie was at times a tense and physical one. With Milan Kolena wreaking so much havoc he was able to put the Steeldog's on the board with a sublime goal before missing a penalty shot. But it was Aaron Connolly who decided to enter hero mode and single highhandedly score a natural hat trick to send Bison to the final.

Both images courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

After dinner that evening I decided to round off the Saturday by visiting the Windmill as I hadn't had a chance yet. And it resulted in one of the most rewarding evenings of discussion about British Hockey I have had. As I ended up along with several other fans talking with league manager Richard Carpenter and Twitters own 482 Days about the weekend, its success and how the league was being run. I won't detail what was discussed, but it was so refreshing to have someone running the league willing to just sit down with a random fan like myself and talk to me about the hows and whys, but also asking my opinion. If this had been the old EPIHL or the EIHL weekend I doubt if any owner/league official had been in Richards place they would have been as candid, or even have put themselves in that position.

In The pub with Ben Callaghan and Thom of the Swindon Wildcats

SUNDAY

NIHL 2 FINAL

SUTTON STING VS OXFORD CITY STARS

NIHL 1 PLAY OFF FINAL

TELFORD TIGERS VS BASINGSTOKE BISON

Sunday would begin with another encounter between 2 teams who knew nothing about one another as the champions of NIHL 2 North and South faced of for the National championship.

As with the U20's game in previous years I hoped this game would serve as a nice curtain raiser for the day, help others to blow away the hangovers and get ready for the final. For my friends and I it would be a chance to indulge in a little chirping. I gathered groans when ever Sutton's Warren Gilfoyle made a save of saying Curses Gilfoyled again. But we had fun at mentioning that James Goodman, was a Good Man when ever he did something right.

It was good to see Oxford had bought a sizable contingent with them, and I hope even if the Stars don't come up to NIHL 1 next season their fans consider joining the party next year if they enjoyed themselves.

The Streatham contingent enjoying the weekend

It was also good to catch up with Dawn Danger and the rest of the Streatham contingent and I was really pleased to learn that they were all enjoying themselves and the weekend in general.

Image courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

However our bad jokes were nothing in comparison to the show stealing antics of the Whitley Warriors fans. Unicorns, Mr Blobby and Dogs Are Wearing Pajamas's had been the tip of the ice berg the day before. The game itself was entertaining from my perspective just what was needed after the day before. However the Whitley Warriors fans had other ideas, and it was sometime during the second period that a conga line began in the Whitley block and began snaking its way around the dome. Then the crowning glory was the inter-block game of catch that the Warrirors fans had begun.
It was only a northern division rivalry that served to try and scupper this as the fans of the Billingham stars attempted to hold Whitley's Ball hostage in jest. But eventually after some tense negotiation the ball was released. It was at this point my friend Jess and I agreed if there was a fan participation medal, Whitley deserved it. Some even remarked that it was strangely symbolic that the fan base having all the fun and getting so creative at generating a party atmosphere was sat in the old Manchester Phoenix block

The Whitley Conga Line in Full swing

The off ice show stealers of the Whitley Warriors

THE WHITLEY BEACH BALL, AND BILLINGHAM'S SUDDEN BUT INEVITABLE BETRAYAL!
images courtesy of Five Hole Photography

Meanwhile on the ice Oxford and Sutton where going back and forth, possibly wondering just what was going on, as they played for a championship in one of the strangest atmospheres ever. Stars would end up 3-1 winners on the day and it was thoroughly deserved. Despite the scoreline it was only really Sutton's lack of clinical finishing that had denied them victory, as Warren Gilfoyle had stood on his head for much of the game.

Images courtesy of Five Hole Photography

With the game over my friends and I donned our Bison colors and put on our war faces(see below)

and did the best we could to convince ourselves of every way the Bison could win it. My friend Chris from Peterborough kept telling me your the better team you'll do em. But all I could think was of the curse of the dragon locker room. In recent years no team who had entered the ice from the Blaze locker room had won. And it was against Telford a team who after 3 years of finals weekend defeats were desperate to put the quest for a final 4 win to and end. Hockey's a game where whats on paper can end up meaning zero. Could Bison end the curse, could the death of the EPIHL, and the birth of the NIHL Final 4 end the curse

Image courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

The game was tense for a while, and even at 4-0 up I was convinced it would all come crashing down around us. But all through this game the party atmosphere carried on. Anyone but Telford rang out around the dome as it had done many times over the last 3 years. The Bracknell Bee Beer bottles had returned and in the words of one had only had 3 sips of water that day. But despite that, despite having a blood alcohol level I'm sure made them flammable and despite having not much left of a voice they lead sections of the Bison fandom in chants, and of course the chant of Bee army rang out in return.

Image courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

Not to be out done, the Warriors fans joined in as well, making sure we regularly got some exercise by getting us to stand up for the Bison on a regular basis. While also coming up with many imaginative chants, the most ridiculous and bravest considering the state of the skydome floor(even before the weekend began) was Shoes off for the Bison, I wish I had a photo of the Whitley block all stood there with 1 shoe held in the air. Why I have no idea. But as my friend Anthony Russel would describe it later. I think the Bison and Warriors are friends now.

Image Courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

On the ice we would see a perfect Bison performance, as the Herd would stampede through the Tigers to end the game 4-0 and probably my happiest moment of the weekend as Vanya Antonov scored a beauty leading to the chant of Who's that skating through your legs Vanya Vanya. The Bison's speed had been too much for the slower and bigger Tigers squad and the buzzer sounded to make the Bison NIHL Final 4 weekend winners, and with the play off title chants of we just did the treble rang out(I'm sure no doubt instantly corrected by Phantoms fans that its not the EPIHL treble)

   

Images courtesy of 5 Hole Photography

After grabbing some dinner I did attend the after party, where I learned 5 Hole Photography has competition in Roman Malanik, helped Josh Smith avoid falling to the floor after he decided to stage dive off a table and witnessed the most disturbing re-imagining of the Village People ever. But it was a great way to wrap up a great weekend.

 

Courtesy Jo Loat, Jess B and Myself

As I remarked in the offing, I had my worries about the weekend, would the NIHL fans buy in to what was an EPIHL format weekend. I had heard some negative bias towards it, but in the hotel as the night wound down I found myself along with the rest of my Bison fan friends talking to some Billingham fans. They had traveled 6 hours to be there,but they had really enjoyed themselves, and that they had already booked rooms for next year. They wanted to come back. And there it was, if the two fan bases who with the exception of Solway that had traveled the longest, enjoyed themselves and wanted to come back, I knew we were on to a winner.

Thankyou's

So I had my fun, but there wouldn't be any of that fun, if it were not for those who had given up free time and made the effort to make sure the weekend had gone ahead. Of course first and foremost I must thank Richard Carpenter for steering the league through the choppy waters of this period of transference for the league and getting an agreement that lead to the continuation of this format

But of course if it wasn't for the efforts of Steve Merry this weekend would never have happened. I'll never forget the little jig of delight he did when I told him of all the NIHL fans I had encountered enjoying themselves on Sunday morning. Also Steve your'e in here both in word and picture so you owe me a pint next year :)

Weekend organizer Steve Merry enjoying a dance with Shirley Packwood
5 Hole Photography

And behind Steve of course is the army of volunteers both on ice and off. Though we boo and hiss at them our officials for the weekend, Tim Pickett, Paul Brookes, Andrew Cook, Nathan Carmichael, Stuart Smith,and Flynn Cunningham.

And of course the off ice officials who kept the weekend running smoothly. Our arean DJ Scott Collier, and our off ice staff. Simon King,Nick King, Liz Mustoe, Chris Burbage,Scott Ellis,Steph Sellers,Lucy Spalton,Mark Hatherley,Andy Howells and Lisa Howells and medics Glenn Wells and Shirley Packwood

Lastly I'd like to thank everyone who came along, no matter what fan base you are a part of. Thank you for making the first NIHL Play offs a success both off and on the ice in my eyes. I look forward to seeing all of you there next year for another great end of season party and some great hockey.

My thanks to all who have contributed photos to this blog

5 Hole Photography-https://www.facebook.com/5holephotography/?ref=br_rs

Fellow Bison fans

Jess B
Jo Loat.

Hawkseye View: Everything and the Kitchen sink

SATURDAY 17/03/18

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS SWINDON WILDCATS

NIHL SOUTH DIVISION 1

PLAY OFF QUARTER FINAL

Pre Game

So we begin first by offering our congratulations to the Basingstoke Bison on winning the NIHL South 1 league title last weekend.

With the business of the league wrapped up the previous weekend with back to back defeats, the Redhawks now turned their attention to the business of the play offs. Making their way to the High Road on a snowy Saturday night were the Swindon Wildcats.

The Wildcats were fresh off breaking a long trophy drought the night before having defeated the Basingstoke Bison to lift the Autumn Cup, so also our congratulations to the Wildcats on that. Encounters this season between the Wildcats and Hawks at the High Road has been interesting affairs. The Hawks had been one of the first NIHL classic sides to claim the scalp of an ex EPL side against the Wildcats earlier this season at home, after losing out by only one goal only a few weeks previously.

However when the Hawks had traveled to Swindon this season, they had really struggled. So with Swindon holding the home leg advantage the aim of the game was simple for coach Cornish's teams. Concede as few as possible and score as many as they could to limit any damage the next day.

The Hawks would look to exploit as much speed as possible to out pace a larger more physical Swindon side. For Swindon the game plan would need to be clogging the neutral zone and forcing that speed up the boards where the Hawks puck carriers would be susceptible to physical play.

1st Period

The Redhawks would win the opening face off, but it would be a very tentative start from both sides, with probing attacks being made up the boards from the Hawks while Swindon looked to catch the Hawks off guard on the break and take the puck up the middle lane.

Despite this tentative back and forth play, Birbraer would force a stunning save from Colclough at 3 mins with the puck seemingly impacting the net minders body and running across his chest and away. Going the other way the Swindon defense was forcing the Hawks in to a corner war, lacking in comparative size the Hawks were repeatedly coming up on the losing end of this.

Soon however the Hawks found a way through and Siagris, and Farn would both find themselves with golden chances to get the Hawks on the board but neither could find that finish.

5 minutes in Ryan Webb would give the Wildcats the first powerplay of the game, after an attempted lofty clearing attempt went out and over the glass resulting in a delay of game penalty.

The Wildcats Powerplay would dominate possession, and the puck movement of the Cats did a good job of stretching the usually well disciplined Hawks PK, the best chance would fall to Birbraer who's shot would be gloved by Colclough.

The Hawks would kill the penalty successfully, despite sustained pressure and few chances to clear the puck or make a change. Seeking to get on the board the Hawks would push forward, but found that most chances were being forced high in the zone at the face off circles as the Cats D denied them any route to the net

It would be the Wildcats though that would break the deadlock with a delayed Powerplay goal. Birbraer and Nell would get mixed up in a battle for the puck behind the net with Gregory and Farn. Eventually Birbraer would come lose with the puck in front of net and it was only a slash from a Hawks player that stopped him scoring. But it wasn't enough to stop Nell scoring after collecting the lose puck. and it was 1-0 Wildcats

2nd Period

The Redhawks would win the face off to start the second and once again attempt to use speed up the boards to generate chances. The Wildcats while quite passive in the first period would now ramp up the physical play in order to stop this and try to take control of the game.

Farn and Webb would combine for the best chance of the opening minute with Webb firing from range but Marr able to save it. Ryan Watt had been attempting to crash in and there was some afters as a result.

The second period would see the neutral zone become turn over central with both sides attempting to use this to their own advantage, Floyd Taylor would seek to continue the Cats game plan of taking the center lane by skating in unopposed before firing it in to Colclough's glove

But it was another turnover that would lead to the Wildcats extending their lead, Jordan Kelsall would intercept the puck in the neutral zone, and get a pass to Max Birbraer who would find Aaron Nell out in space, Nell would skate in and slot the puck home to make it 2-0.

The Hawks looked to retaliate, with Andreas Siagris leading the charge. Repeatedly trying to make something happen with Aiden Doughty and Alex Sampford in support. Skating in from the blue line Siagris would take the puck past the entire Wildcats line but would fire wide. This then followed by Brendan Baird going close.

The saying goes, in hockey. The worst lead to hold is a 2 goal lead, you either go all out to get another goal and risk conceding, or you sit back and soak it up. With Renny Marr playing a blinder the Wildcats decided to sit back and control the game. Every Redhawks forward advance was met with deflection at the blue line as the Cats choked off the Hawks offence.

3rd Period

The Hawks would begin the 3rd urgently looking to get a goal, the early going would see Farn setting up Sampford in the slot who's point blank range blast would be directed straight at Renny Marr. Siagris would seek to force home the rebound but to no avail.

This would then be followed by Doughty making a play, that had it gone in would be goal of the year candidate as he broke down the wing alone, and with seemingly the entire Wildcats D cutting to the front of the net and it was only the combination of Sam Godfrey and Renny Marr that stopped him scoring.

The Powerplay off this would lead to a sustained period of Redhawks dominance, as coach Nell decided to opt for soaking up the pressure with a 2 goal lead. Watt, Farn and Carr would all come close. However despite the Hawks forwards forcing the Cats to collapse deep with heavy net pressence most attempts were from range, and going wide.

At one point it looked like Swindon would add a third as Brendan Baird fanning on a puck would lead to Jan Kostal breaking away only for Colclough to keep the deficit at 2 as he gloved the puck.
Webb and Carr would seek to half that deficit going the other way with Carr getting a shot off from a tight angle but this would fly up and out off of Renny Marr.

With time running out the Hawks would throw everything and the kitchen sink at the Wildcats looking to get at least one goal on the board. Playing the high fore check to try and do this, Jacob Ranson would force a turn over that would leave him 1 on 1 with Marr but as was the story of the night for Hawks players the puck was fired wide.

The final minutes of the game would be frantic as the Hawks would see multiple chances cleared and saved by Marr and the Wildcats defense. Short of pulling Colclough the Hawks tried every trick in the book and saw pucks cleared off the line and out of the crease multiple times

But in the end the buzzer would sound and the final score would be Wildcats 2 Hawks 0

Post Game

Hats off to the Wildcats they came in and played a perfect road game and stuck to the game plan they had coming in. They choked off the neutral zone and forced the Hawks to go wide looking for a break out. Renny Marr stood on his head and while Aaron Nell was the man with the game winning goals, it was Renny Marr's series of incredible saves that denied any goals for the Hawks that won the game and put the Wildcats in pole position going in to Sundays second leg. For that Renny Marr was more than deserving of his man of the match beers

The Redhawks on the other hand suffered from a lack of finish on the night. It was once again a matter of quantity over quality. Nearly all of the shots generated were either sighted by Renny Marr or were through too much traffic to make it to the net.
Andreas Siagris was the most deserving recipient of the man of the match beers as he had been the driving force behind the Hawks offence all night, and both personally had many golden chances to get the Hawks on the board as well as creating many chances.

A 2 goal lead is not an insurmountable obstacle, but considering the Hawks have lost all their games in Swindon heavily this season the odds are not in their favor. But then this is play off hockey who knows what could happen in the next 60 minutes.

NIHL PLAYOFF WEEKEND SURVIVAL GUIDE

PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS WRITTEN AHEAD OF THE 2018 PLAY OFF WEEKEND. SOME INFO MAY HAVE CHANGED AS I HAVENT BEEN TO COVENTRY SINCE 2019 DUE TO LOCKDOWNS

BUT I HOPE ITS STILL USEFUL TO YOU ALL

2 FOR FLINCHINGS
NIHL PLAY OFF WEEKEND SURVIVAL GUIDE

So the season is winding down, and we are approaching the first ever NIHL play off weekend(a continuation of the EPIHL Play off weekend format)

For some of you among the various fan bases of the NIHL, in particular any of you who joined the hockey family this season this may be your first time experiencing such an event. You are in for a great time, some of my best hockey memories come from the time I have spent at the EPIHL and BUIHA nationals weekends. Below are a few helpful hints on Coventry that should help you survive the weekend

The Skydome

 Skydome operates a no outside food restriction, bag searches will be conducted. If you have a medical reason for needing food that isn't deep fried or sugary, such as diabetes or are on a prescribed diet you will need something that says this is a medical requirement. Hopefully that should stop them taking anything you have. Alternatively just use smuggling methods like I do.


 In spite of the above I recommend NOT EATING THE SKYDOME FOOD....except maybe the Papa Johns Pizza. If you really want to eat cardboard I suggest visiting the nearby Hobby Craft, it'll probably have more nutritional value.

Food policy aside the Dome is a great place to watch hockey, if you ignore the usually sticky floor in places. There are very few restricted views in the arena,though it does have a bit to make up in the way of disability access, with the only viewing for wheel chair users being at ice level or on a platform at the open end of the arena. Crosby's the stadium bar serves well on game day, and its also where you will find the Papa Johns. There are also multiple concession stands through out the dome on both sides.

Also in the open end of the dome you will typically find stalls selling hockey merchandise themed around the weekend and Team GB(Please note I am basing this off previous years and do not know if this will be the case this year)

What Do I Do If My Team Didnt Make it? 

With 19 teams across North and South leagues, and only 4 places up for grabs at the finals weekend there is a good chance your team may not have made the final 4. Some decided to cancel the whole weekend at this point and stay home. I'd advise against this, simply chose the lesser of two evils(as we used to say at EPIHL Finals, anyone but Guildford). In recent years at EPIHL weekends I found myself cheering for Swindon,Peterborough and Milton Keynes when the Bison had been eliminated. Some of the most fun I have had at a finals weekend, was when the pressure was off and all my friends and I had to do was drink and have fun without worrying if our team won. Or alternatively just stay neutral, chirp everyone or even cheer for the refs. Just stay and enjoy the hockey. Take the time to meet and have fun with fans from other fan bases. Whether its been by way of a friendly chirp or by mutual introduction some of the most fun I have had at play off weekend has been by forgetting the tribal rivalries and just having a laugh and talking with other fans . My first year, though a Bison fan I spent the whole weekend away from games among friends I met from Milton Keynes and Peterborough, chanting Jaffa Cakes are not a biscuit. Before the next year those same MK fans threw me in to a chant off with the Manchester Phoenix Choirboys!

Also make sure you get your moneys worth on the ticket, do not miss the Sunday morning game. In recent years the U20's final has proven a great form of post night before entertainment. There is little on the line for fans, unless your a parent of those playing. Last year we had great fun cheering on Blaze's U20's, while also trying to figure out if Doug Clarkson was the father of one Blaze U20, the season before Billingham and Guildford academies put on an incredible show. And you got to see the potential future of the sport. This year I am hopeful that the NIHL 2 North vs South final will provide just as much entertainment and fun, so is most certainly not a game to skip to sleep off the hangover before the final.

Saturday Night at the Windmill with the MK Barmy army,Bison and a lone Phantoms fan. The Night of the Jaffa Cake chant

Where Do I Stay?

The best choices for a hotel would be either the Ramada or the Premier Inn over the road, or the Premier next to the Belgrade theatre which is 10 mins walk away, also about 10 minutes away is the Britania. There are other options, though the IBIS is not ideally situated as its on the opposite side of the city, but its actually about 15-20 minutes walk depending, but its also 5 by taxi. These are of course the chain hotels, and further out there is another Premier Inn, however there are many B&B options as well as independent hotels nearby as well.

What to see and do

As a city Coventry gets a bit of a bad reputation, as someone who lived there 3 years all I can say is, yes it has its wrinkles, what city doesn't? Location wise the Skydome is perfectly situated, located near to several large hotels(The Ramada and 2 Premier Inns) The Dome is 10/15 mins walk away from the nearest train station, and 15/20 mins walk from the local bus station. As well as being situated right next to the city centre

The Dome is well serviced for food and drinking options with a Wetherspoon's within 5 mins walking distance, and a top notch local Noodle bar that will deliver to the Dome area. On top of this there is Spon Street, home to multiple bars in which to dance the night away. Spon street is also home to the spiritual home of the now defunct EPIHL weekend, The Windmill pub, where you can purchase pints of the local breweries best offerings.

In the city centre the Broadgate shopping Mall situated near the statue of Lady Godiva, boasts a Las Iguanas,Five Guys, Bistrot Pierre, Botanist, Wagamas and the Cosy Club. Something for everyone on any budget right there. 

 If you would much rather stay near the dome there is obviously Crosby's, during game day Crosby's is a sports bar, by night a dance club. Coventry city centre is also just a short walk away, and on the Friday and Saturday the Coventry Market is also open just across the road from the dome. The Nearby West Orchard Shopping centre provides the closest McDonald's, KFC and other chain outlets.  And if you fancy a read but forgot to bring a book there's also a nearby Waterstones.

If you forgot any toiletries, or any other items needed for the weekend. The city centre has you covered. With a Tesco's, 2 Poundlands, a Boots and for those who venture further out a Sainsburys. As well a Primark, and Sports Direct for any clothing needs all again a short walk from the dome.

Coventry veterans will be sad to learn that Cosmo is no longer open nor is Feast Junction. However they will be happy to learn the the best curry house nearby as rated highly by many Ackbars, just opposite the Ramada hotel is still open

For those looking to try and stay in shape, and maybe work off some of the weekends over indulgence, there is of course the local Pure Gym where you can purchase a day or weekend membership. And Located down stairs the Genting Casino if you want to try your luck at the tables.

Coventry also offers some great evening entertainment for when the games have ended. The Belgrade theatre could offer a welcome distraction in the evening, or alternatively the local Odeon for a cinema trip. For those looking to take in some sights, at a leisurely pace a visit to the either the Transport Museum or the Herbert Art museum, and of course next door to the Herbert you will find both the old Coventry Cathedral and the new one. All of which are again a 20 minute walk from the Dome.

ONE LAST PIECE OF ADVICE

Overall, the best way to survive this weekend, IS HAVE FUN!

This is not just a weekend of hockey games, its one big party. Eat till you can eat no more, drink till you can drink no more(though hopefully so you can still walk) chirp to your hearts content, and try to make friends among those not wearing the same jersey as you. Even indulge in fancy dress if you like. We are all hockey fans at the end of the day, yes those of us in NIHL 1 and 2 have been thrown together through some tragically ridiculous circumstances(and no doubt the rumour mill be in over drive during the weekend about the future) but for 48 hours just sit back, enjoy a beer or 3, have some laughs and have fun, you'll go home hopefully with so many happy memories, you'll be counting the day till next year.

Thanks To Jo Loat for taking my photo at several play off weekends that I have borrowed for use in this article. The rest are taken by myself.

Hawks Eye View:Flying Through Fire

SATURDAY 24/02/18

STREATHAM REDHAWKS VS CARDIFF FIRE

NIHL SOUTH DIVISION 1

Pregame

The only game of the weekend for the Stretham Redhawks saw them welcoming the Cardiff Fire to the High Road. After the previous weekends bounce back against the Invicta Dynamos the Red Hawks would be looking to continue the winning streak. With the return of Joe Allen and Brendan Miles, and the call up of Alec Goldstone the Red Hawks had a full bench.

The Fire arrived in South London a very different team to the one that had arrived back in September. The bench had shortened since then, but it was a bench that has had a season to gel unlike the team back in September that had only been assembled that week. The Fire have finally begun to click as a team, after finally getting points on the board the previous weekend they would be looking to build on this. With one of the UK's most exciting goalie prospects in Jordan Lawday the Fire had an ace up their sleeves. The key to victory here for them would be Lawday playing a blinder combined with catching the Hawks on the break, and hoping to not get warn out by physical play from the Hawks.

1st Period

The Hawks would win the opening face off, and go on the offensive almost immediately. With the bulk of the possession they would trap the Fire in their own end, early chances would see Siagris and Doughty Lawday, before Farn and Paynter would combine to attempt a tip in. Next the WCW line would take a shot at breaking the deadlock, but Lawday stood strong against their attempts.

The Fire were playing it safe, sitting back defensively and trying to make a play on the break against the run of play. Haslam and Powell would generate a neutral zone turn over that saw Powell in with the puck but he would fire wide. Going back the other way Joe Allen would strike the iron from the hash marks.

With the short bench the Fire were playing a passive fore check, sitting back and trying to conserve their energy, not being aggressive and therefore avoiding taking penalties. At the same time this was allowing the Hawks a lot of time on the puck and it was only a matter of time till the deadlock broke, but with Lawday turning everything away that was thrown at him it was proving difficult.

Michael Farn would eventually help break that deadlock, after Watt and Webb had both gone close Farn pinching down behind the goal was able to get the puck to Webb, who would found Ryan Webb in front of the goal, a quick spinorama and a back hand later and it was 1-0 Redhawks as the puck sailed in to the top of the net.

Trying to even things up Tamas Elias would go past everyone, but a hasstleing Warman would force the puck carrier out wide and away from the net. A recurring theme of the game would be the Hawks Defencemen being allowed to pinch down and this would see Lawday forced in to making a series of amazing saves as passes crossed through the crease area looking for Baird or Warman at the back door

The period would end 1-0 to the Redhawks. It had been a period where the Hawks should have had more, but a combination of Jordan Lawday and an inability to find a finish on shots had lead to the Fire being within 1 goal. As despite the score line, it was more Lawday than the passive defensive approach of the Fire that had kept it this way

2nd Period

The Second period began where the 1st ended, with the Redhawks dominating possession and penning the Fire in their own zone, trying to sweep pucks through the crease looking for tips and to catch Lawday off guard.

1 minute in, the Hawks would make the possession pay, and make it 2-0. James Warmans dump from the point would find Adam Carr who was able to put the puck on Ryan Webbs stick who was able to slip it by Lawday after it hit the back post and trickled in.

The Fire became galvanized to respond after this, and in quick succession, Buglass, Hart and Prince would all get a series of chances on Colclough of rebounds but the Hawks goalie maintained the wall in net. Soon though the mountain for the Fire to climb in order to get back in contention would become higher

Joe Allen and Michael Farn would contribute in quick succession to make the score 3 and then 4-0 a minute apart. Allen capitalizing on pressure and chaos in the crease area to make it 3-0. And Farn after once again pinching down from the point to go top shelf to make it 4-0 at 22 minutes.

The Fire would look to respond but despite plenty of possession it would always result in turn overs at the Hawks blue line, with the Hawks active sticks breaking up the play. Despite this the play kept flowing, with very few icing or offside calls as the only respite. During one of these at around 10 minutes coach Cornish would take the opportunity to swap Matt Colclough for Nate Gregory.

Soon after this, the WCW line would work its magic again. Webb and Carr would link up allowing Carr to go from wing to slot dangling the puck past the entire Fire team and firing past Lawday to make it 5-0 Hawks.

Again the Fire would try to get on the board as Price would create a breakout for Elias who would cut to the center looking to lift the puck over Gregory, but he is hassled all the way by Hawks defencemen and can't get the shot on target. But the shutout would break soon after as Haslam would win a corner battle for the puck and put the puck in to the crease area where Jordan Powell was skating in to squeeze it past Gregory, Bobby Orr style and make it 5-1.

Despite this spark of hope for the Fire, the Redhawks would soon put the Fire to the sword. First after a puck battle at the boards, Joe Allen and Jacob Ranson would find themselves on a breakaway effort, with speed and space in their favor, Allen found himself forced wide. Dumping the puck goalward it would be won in a goal mouth battle by Ranson who managed to back hand the puck five hole past Lawday and it was 6-1.
In quick succession the Hawks would make it 7-1, Ben Paynter and Aiden Doughty would bring the puck in and close on the net creating chaos as the Fire defense collapsed in on the net. This would allow Andreas Siagris to force home a lose puck, making it 7-1.

The Fire would call a time out after this, to try and regroup. Shortly after this the Hawks would take a Too Many Men penalty. Presenting the Fire a chance to mount a fightback. At first the Fire Powerplay looked dangerous, the Hawks penalty kill has been one of its strongest elements this year. But the Fire were able to stretch the PK out of shape, Powell would have the best chance in the slot area and was only just stopped by Gregory.

However after this early flourish, the Fire power play struggled to even gain zonal entry, eventually these struggles would lead to the Hawks 8th goal as Jordan Gregory engineered a breakout. Watt would skate in down the wing un-apposed and getting in close would put it through Lawdays five hole to make it 8-1 Redhawks.

Carr would round out the period for Streatham making it 9-1. Going it alone, again the Fires passive fore check allowed the Hawks centreman to cut inside before he was forced out wide. But he was able to get a pass cross slot to Brendan Baird pinching down from the point to fire it past Lawday and make it 9-0

The second period was all Streatham, having been unable to find a finish in the first, they found all the finish in the second. The Hawks were scoring so quick I almost missed some goals as I was noting the scorer in the program. The Fire's style, in playing passively and backing off to avoid penalty trouble had created the trouble of being unable to stop the Hawks doing what they wanted to with the puck.

3rd Period

Fire would win the opening face off for the 3rd, but the Hawks had opted to park the bus and force the fire to engage in an energy sapping physical game by dumping it to the corners. While when on the offensive the Hawks were looking for tip in goals by firing pucks through the crease area.
David Manning would look to make something happen, as early on he was able to carry the puck in alone from the neutral zone. But Gregory was able to deflect this wide. Manning would then link up with Elias and Prince to get a shot in from the slot but again Gregory was able to save this.

Soon the Fire would get another chance at trying to add to their total on a holding penalty to Brendan Miles. But again despite a promising start from the Fire power play unit, the Hawks would eventually force the puck up high in to the neutral zone. This would see Watt and Webb collect the puck on a turn over and try to score another short hander on a cross crease pass. Hart would answer back for the Fire getting through all by himself and trying to go back hand high on Gregory but he was stripped of the puck.

Eventually they wold be rewarded though, with Nate Gregory out of the play after a collision at the boards the Fire would work the cycle on the opposite side. A shot wold be fired in but intercepted, Tamas Elias would collect the lose puck and squeeze it home to make it 9-2.
Alex Sampford and Jacob Ranson would finish off the game soon after though, with the Fire's players having tired a fresh Sampford and Ranson were able to exploit speed to carry the puck in 2 on 1 and out dangle Lawday at the finish to make it 10-2

Post Game

After seeing the performances the Fire had put in the weekend before, I was worried this game could be a bit of a banana skin for the Hawks. With the Fire finally clicking to get points on the board I said this game may not be an easy win. However the short bench created a situation that meant the Fire had to bunker down and hope luck went their way. Unfortunately playing a passive fore check against a team like Streatham with so many high energy, offensively gifted will only get you so far. Jordan Lawday deserved his man of the match beers, he single-handedly was able to keep the score 1-0 for the duration of the first. And despite the mounting scoreline kept making saves. The old hockey adage goes he was hung out to dry by his D. On some goals this may have been true, but fact is when your team only has 10 skaters and they're all exhausted the goals are going to mount up when you're facing a full bench. Despite that Josh Haslam, Jackson Price, Jordan Powell and Tamas Elias where all players who deserved the beers as well. As what little offence was being created was often driven by them.

For the Redhawk's as the saying goes you can only beat whats in front of you, and in sports like hockey all you can do is keep pushing forward to put the puck in the net, and they did this a lot this game. Joe Allen was deserving of the beers, his line was a constant threat and he was the creative spark behind it. As always the WCW line was working to deadly effect, between them Watt, Carr and Webb combined for 4 goals and 4 assists on the night. With Ryan Watt making a bid for goal of the season with his back hand spinorama goal.

Up next for the Hawks its another single game weekend, a Sunday road trip to Invicta, the Hawks will be looking to extend their undefeated streak against the Mo's. Before rounding out the season with a visit to Peterborough and the season concluding game against the Mo's ahead of the play offs. The Hawks will need to pick up as many of the points on offer in the next 3 games, and hope their opponents drop some in the race for 4/5th place with the Raiders and Bee's both within striking distance going in to the final two weeks.