Ice Hockey - UK Round-up - (from Blackburn Hawks match programme 20/12/09)

The ENL Division 1 North leaders, Nottingham Lions, received an unexpected double boost to their title aspirations as both Sheffield Spartans and Whitley Warriors failed to capitalize on the Lions inactivity. Following Sheffield’s 8-5 loss in the cup to the Hawks on Saturday they travelled to Telford on Sunday to face the Titans hoping to get their league form back on track. In a hard fought battle the Titans secured the points by the odd goal in seven. Whitley played host to Trafford Metros having been boosted by the news that ex-Billingham Bombers star, Ritchie Thornton, had agreed to sign for the club. The Metros had other ideas and came away from the North-East with a 5-2 victory.

Solway Sharks returned to the top of the Northern League after defeating Paisley Pirates 11-0. Sharks’ scorers included Bari Mckenzie (4+3), Mark Gallagher (2+4) and Pavol Melicherik (left) (2+2), although the Pirates did manage 41 shots on Solway’s netminder Gary Russell.

The Celtic Cup sees new leaders in the shape of Dundee Stars. The Stars travelled to Dundalk to face the Charlestown Chiefs in a double header and came away with four points courtesy of victories by 7-3 and 6-5. Fife Flyers kept up the pressure at the top by defeating Solway 6-2. Steven Gunn continued his impressive scoring form by notching another hat-trick while David Orr hit both Solway goals.

English Premier League leaders, Manchester Phoenix, suffered a mixed week. Facing three games in four days, Tony Hand’s men first travelled to Peterborough Phantoms and were comfortably dismissed 8-4. On Saturday they faced Guildford Flames in Altrincham and triumphed 5-1 with Hand weighing in with a couple of goals. The following day saw Phoenix travel to bottom club Romford Raiders. Despite two goals from Ed Courtenay the Raiders edged the encounter with Dallas Costanzo hitting the winner in the final minute to seal a 5-4 victory. MK Lightning and Slough Jets had a lighter work load and won home fixtures against Peterborough and Romford respectively and remain hot on Manchester’s heels.

Belfast Giants now lead the bmibaby Elite League by a point from Coventry Blaze and Nottingham Panthers. The Giants travelled to Edinburgh to face the Capitals and secured a 3-1 win while Blaze surprisingly slumped 6-4 at home to Sheffield Steelers. The Panthers sneaked past Hull Stingrays by 4-3 with the race to the title now seeming likely to involve this trio.

Team GB Under 20s have begun their campaign to return to Division 1 of the World Championships in impressive form in Debrecen, Hungary. Comfortable victories against China (8-0) and Korea (7-1) has left them level on points at the top of the group with the Hungarians. Their remaining fixtures see them facing Spain and Mexico before what is likely to be the Gold Medal decider against the hosts. A number of ENL players past and present are representing Great Britain including Newcastle’s Nathan Salem and ex-Whitley Warrior netminder Thomas Murdy.

(Image reproduced by kind permission of David Morrison Photography)

Ice Hockey - UK Round-up - (from Blackburn Hawks match programme 12/12/09)

Sheffield Spartans’ recent dip in form has allowed Nottingham Lions to take over the outright lead at the top of ENL Division 1 North. Following a goalless draw away to Coventry Blaze ENL, the Spartans travelled to Blackburn Hawks and were on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline. Last weekend’s double header against Trafford Metros saw Sheffield blow a two goal lead in Altrincham as the Metros roared back to win 4-3 with ex-Hawk Brian Worrall among the scorers. Spartans won the return fixture in Sheffield 3-0 but are now one point behind the Lions having played two games more.

The Lions comfortably won home fixtures against Trafford (6-2) and Telford Titans (4-2) and have stretched their lead over third placed Whitley Warriors to nine points. The Warriors have five games in hand but a 4-1 home reverse to Coventry hasn’t helped their cause. Once again the Warriors allowed ill discipline to cost them dearly as Blaze hammered home four unanswered goals in the final period. Telford Titans remain in fourth place after two easy victories against Kingston Jets (14-4 and 13-0).

Flintshire Freeze have narrowed the gap to Newcastle Vipers ENL at the top of Division 2 to just one point. A remarkable recovery by Freeze from a three goal deficit against the Vipers saw them grab an unlikely point with Marc Lovell grabbing the all important equaliser. Two successive 6-2 victories against Lancashire Raptors and Bradford Bulldogs keeps up the pressure on the Vipers. Solihull Barons are in third place following wins away to Grimsby Redwings (9-0) and at home to Lancashire Raptors (18-5).

Manchester Phoenix have extended their lead at the top of the English Premier League following four victories on the bounce. Wins away to Swindon Wildcats (7-4) and at home to Basingstoke Bison (6-4) were highlighted by two hat-tricks for Ed Courtenay. Perhaps more impressive though were last weekend’s efforts. On Saturday they faced Bracknell Bees and trailed at one point 4-1 before two Tony Hand goals inspired a 5-4 comeback win. MK Lightning travelled north on Sunday hoping to close the gap at the top of the table and once again Phoenix found themselves 4-1 down before springing into life. Luke Boothroyd scored the clincher in overtime and leaves Phoenix holding a three point lead over Lightning.

Coventry Blaze lead the way in the bmibaby Elite League having defeated Newcastle Vipers (6-3) and Nottingham Panthers (6-4). Belfast Giants have moved into second place and sit just one point behind.

Sheffield Steelers reached the finals of the Continental Cup after defeating Italy’s Bolzano Foxes. The game finished 3-3 after sixty minutes before Canadian Matt Hubbauer notched the winning penalty shot to send the Steelers to Grenoble.

The Northern League has new leaders as Fife Flyers comfortably defeated Paisley Pirates 6-0 away and 9-2 at home with Steven Gunn hitting four goals in Kirkcaldy. Paisley’s woes continued with a 9-3 thrashing by Dundee Stars followed by a bad tempered 4-1 reverse away to Whitley. Fife also lead the way in the Celtic Cup with two Steven Lynch goals helping them to a 4-2 win against Solway Sharks.