Ice Hockey - UK Round-Up (from Blackburn Hawks match programme 19/12/10)

Whitley Warriors’ dominance of English National League Division One North continued with a pair of wins over Sheffield Spartans. They followed a 6-3 road win with a 5-1 success on home ice and now hold a twelve point lead over Coventry Blaze. A Rhys McWilliams hat-trick helped Blaze see off Telford Titans 4-2, but a play-off slot seems the best they can hope for.

Solihull Barons still lead the way in Division Two. Dean Tonks hit five as the Barons smashed eleven past Lancashire Raptors while Rob Perks grabbed a couple during their 5-3 win over Sutton Sting. Kingston Jets beat Bradford Bulldogs 9-5 to close the gap on Flintshire Freeze in second place to a single point.

Blackburn Hawks caused the shock of the season in the Northern League by defeating Solway Sharks 5-4 in Dumfries. The Hawks' Scottish double header had started with a thumping 13-3 loss to leaders Fife Flyers and the Sharks were expected to dish out similar treatment. Despite a short bench the Hawks produced a tenacious display and their efforts were rewarded as they recovered from 4-3 down to snatch the points – Chris Arnone (above) bagging the winner with just 24 seconds left on the clock. Whitley’s wins over Sheffield coupled with an 11-3 success over Flintshire moves them into second place.

Manchester Phoenix have returned to the top of the English Premier League. Despite losing a shoot-out to Slough Jets (2-1), Phoenix toppled nearest rivals Guildford Flames 4-3 to add to comfortable victories over Bracknell Bees (6-0) and Telford Tigers (9-2). The Flames beat Peterborough Phantoms twice (5-2 & 7-3) and recovered from a 2-1 down to beat Swindon Wildcats 3-2 to sit just a point behind Phoenix. Basingstoke Bison made it eleven wins in a row to move into third place with a 3-2 win over Slough. Steve Moria’s men have been on a tremendous run of late with Slovakian forward Viktor Kubenko in unstoppable form. Slough have slipped to fourth place while MK Lightning stay fifth.

Belfast Giants hold a five point lead over Nottingham Panthers at the top of the Elite League. Despite splitting the points with Edinburgh Capitals in a double header, the Giants have seen the Panthers struggle - winning just one of their last four matches. Cardiff Devils have leapfrogged Sheffield Steelers into third place while Coventry Blaze suffered a third straight loss as their hopes of retaining their title fade.

(Image reproduced by kind permission of David Morrison Photography)

Ice Hockey - UK Round-up (from Blackburn Hawks match programme 5/12/10)

Whitley Warriors march to the ENL Division One North title continued with a comfortable 5-2 win over Nottingham Lions. Ryan Sample hit a hat-trick for the Warriors who have dropped just one point all season. Coventry Blaze ENL moved into a distant second place beating Telford Titans 2-1 and drawing 3-3 with Trafford Metros. Sheffield Spartans recent woes continued as they fell 6-4 to the Titans.

The only game in Division Two saw Kingston Jets overcome Lancashire Raptors 9-4.

Wightlink Raiders still lead the way in ENL Division One South. Player-Coach Jeremy Cornish bagged a couple in a 7-2 win over MK Thunder. Former Blackburn Hawks forward Richard Bentham scored on his debut for the Raiders.

Blackburn Hawks demolished Flintshire Freeze to notch their first win in the Northern League. Tom King grabbed a hat-trick as the Hawks ran riot winning 14-3.

Manchester Phoenix and Guildford Flames are locked together at the top of the EPL. Phoenix beat Swindon Wildcats 9-3 and Sheffield Steeldogs 4-0 to move level with the Flames who had a mixed weekend. Martin Masa (above) hit three for the Flames in a hard fought 4-3 success at Telford Tigers who then exacted revenge in Guildford with a 5-4 victory in overtime (below). Slough Jets kept up the pressure on the top two defeating Sheffield 4-1 and Bracknell Bees 3-1. Viktor Kubenko inspired Basingstoke Bison to a pair of wins over Peterborough Phantoms. He scored twice in a 6-3 home success before grabbing four during a 6-5 road win. MK Lightning also won twice against Bracknell (3-2) and Swindon (7-2) and with games in hand could yet emerge as title contenders.

Sheffield Steelers’ trip to Northern Ireland saw them split the points in an Elite League double header with Belfast Giants. Nottingham Panthers comfortable disposed of Edinburgh Capitals (7-1) but could only draw with Hull Stingrays – a result which leaves the Giants three points clear.

Coventry Blaze’s hopes of reaching the Super Final of the Continental Cup came to an end following a 7-3 defeat to hosts Rouen Dragons in the final-game decider. Blaze had won their first two Group D games against Latvian champions Liepajas Metalurgs and Polish side Cracovia Krakow. But they came up short against the Dragons, who punished Blaze with four powerplay goals and two short-handed strikes.

Rouen now move on to Belarus in January to face hosts Yunost Minsk, holders Red Bull Salzburg of Austria and SonderjyskE Vojens of Denmark.

(Image reproduced by kind permission of Guildford Flames Ice Hockey Club)

Block 12 Backcheck

Goodbye November - Hello December.

Block 12 Backcheck has also bid farewell to anything like a normal lifestyle when it comes to anything apart from University coursework.

Blackburn Hawks matches played five - total attended nil.

So what's been happening?

Defeats to Nottingham Lions, Coventry Blaze and Whitley Warriors have dented a promising start to the season, while crushing victories over Trafford Metros and Flintshire Freeze have proved nothing other than an ability to rack up big scores against limited opposition.

Still, The Hawks sit in fourth place - the final play-off slot - and, on paper at least, look capable of challenging for second.

Maverick forward Rick Bentham departed to the Sheffield Steeldogs in the EPL and lasted a handful of games before arriving back in the ENL - on the Isle of Wight with Wightlink Raiders.

Coached by Jeremy Cornish - a man with his own fight DVD - Bentham's ability to rack up penalty minutes may well be a match made in heaven for the Raiders. Let's hope they have a comfortable seat in the penalty box.