Block 12 Backcheck

So as we prepare to bid a fond farewell to 2011 and say a big hello to 2012, here's my take on the year just gone for Blackburn Hawks.

It'd be fair to say there's been more good than bad. Finishing fourth in the league and making the play-offs was a definite improvement on previous seasons. The semi-final performance against Whitley, particularly at home, laid down a marker the team could aspire to on a weekly basis.

This season has taken some time to bed down, with road wins at Whitley and Sheffield being two obvious highlights, but two shut-outs against Trafford showed there's still inconsistencies which need eradicating. The final two home games of the year - against Telford and especially Trafford - once again showed the level which I'm sure Jared and Dangie will be looking to bring to the table every week.

The squad is probably as strong as it's been in quite a while. We've two strong netminders in Dangy and Stuey Ashton - with the latter proving a more than capable back-up on the occasions he's been thrown in. Hopefully the pair of them will push each other on. On 'D', Chris Arnone and Scott Glover have struck up an excellent partnership, while Craig Rogers and Chad Briggs have been solid. Bobby Streetly has stepped up from ENL2 and proved an astute addition and Lance Derbyshire adds strength to the unit, which we've lacked in previous seasons. Ollie Lomax has been missed and I'm sure everyone has their fingers crossed he gets the all-clear to return in February. Another pleasing aspect has been seeing Troy Evans make the step-up from the juniors.

Up front we now carry a potent threat. While the addition of our new import, Sami Narkia, has attracted all the attention there've been a number of players stepping up to the mark. Jordan Bannon looks an excellent prospect while Ric Ravey's energy and drive have added a new dimension. The new line of Narkia, Aaron Davies and Tom King seems to be working particularly well - to such an extent you'd be hard pushed to call which our top line is. Rick Hughes and Matt Viney have weighed in with good points totals and with Jared and Sam Dunford in the mix we're in pretty good shape. Brian Worrall's return from Trafford has alomst gone unnoticed by some, but his brilliant goal against the Metros showed what he brings to the team.

No doubt Jared would like to bring in a few more bodies - which coach doesn't - and if we're to ever properly challenge the likes of Billingham and Whitley, then rolling four lines is probably what's needed. All-in-all 2011 has been a step in the right direction. Here's hoping 2012 continues in the same vein.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.

Ice Hockey - UK Round-up (games played 18th & 19th December)

ENL1 North leaders Billingham Stars won a thrilling North East derby against Whitley Warriors at Hillheads. Warriors took the lead after seven minutes through Callum Watson but Anthony Price levelled things up in the 13th minute. Dean Holland put Warriors back in front moments later, before Simon Hehir (left) immediately tied things up again. DJ Good made it 3-2 to the home team after 16 minutes, but Jamie Pattison sent Stars in level at the end of the first.

Neither team could find the back of the net in the second period, but Stars came out flying in the third with Scott Ward making it 4-3 after 41 minutes. Michael Elder added a fifth midway through the period to secure the points and a seven point lead at the top of the table.

Third placed Trafford suffered a pair of humiliating defeats on the road. Ill-discipline cost them dearly at Coventry as Blaze eased to a 5-1 success and Metros then collapsed at Blackburn as the Hawks romped to a 8-1 win - Jared Owen (below) scored twice for Hawks.

Sheffield Spartans recovered from 7-4 down at home to Solihull Barons to draw 7-7, but went on to lose 3-1 to Telford Titans - Karol Jets (2) and Paul Rigby scored Titans goals. Nottingham Lions eased their relegation worries with a 6-2 win at home to the Barons.

Solway Sharks crushed Lancashire Raptors 24-1 to stay unbeaten at the top of ENL2 North. Nathan Salem (9), Gary Russell (5) and Adam Reynolds (4) led the scoring for Sharks. Flintshire Freeze moved back into second place with a 15-6 win over Fylde Flyers - Simon Furnival (5), James Parsons (3) and Marc Lovell (3) were on the scoresheet for Freeze. Bradford Bulldogs enjoyed a three point weekend with a 5-5 draw at home to Hull Stingrays and an 8-4 win at Sheffield Senators.

Romford Raiders are the new leaders of ENL1 South. Shaun Yardley scored a couple in a 5-2 win at Bracknell Hornets and they followed up with a 9-3 win at home to Invicta Dynamos. Chelmsford Chieftains drop to second after losing 5-4 at Wightlink Raiders - Dominic Hopkins grabbed the winner two minutes from time. Chieftains bounced back with a comfortable 10-3 win at Oxford Stars.

Guildford Flames have opened up a four point lead at the top of the EPL. Nathan Rempel scored twice in an 8-0 win over Bracknell Bees and Flames recovered from 3-1 in the reverse fixture to seal 4-3 win after a shoot-out - Curtis Huppe scored the winner. Doug Sheppard bagged a hat-trick as Slough beat Manchester Phoenix 9-0, but the Jets slumped to a shock 4-3 loss at lowly Peterborough Phantoms.

MK Lightning beat Swindon Wildcats 3-2 with Leigh Jamieson scoring two, but then fell 4-2 to Phoenix - Martin Cingel scored three for Tony Hand's men. Telford Tigers continue to struggle, losing 5-3 to Peterborough - Ondrej Lauko (left) hit a hat-trick for Phantoms - and 8-2 to Swindon.

Sheffield Steelers have closed the gap on Belfast Giants to five points at the top of the Elite League. They beat Fife Flyers 5-3 at home and recovered from 5-1 down in the return at Fife to force overtime before clinching the points a minute into the extra period. Giants beat Dundee Stars 5-4 while third placed Nottingham Panthers slipped to a surprise 4-3 shoot-out loss at home to Coventry Blaze.

(Image permissions: Simon Hehir - Colin Lawson; Ondrej Lauko - Paul Young)

Ice Hockey - UK Round-up (from Blackburn Hawks match programme 18/12/11)

Billingham Stars still lead the way in ENL1 North. Michael Elder scored twice for Stars as they beat Trafford Metros 4-1. Whitley Warriors are second after a 7-0 win over Nottingham Lions – DJ Good (2), Callum Watson (2), Dean Holland (2) and Nathan Ryder scored the goals. Blackburn Hawks moved into the play-off places with an emphatic 8-0 win over Telford Titans - Sami Narkia grabbed a hat-trick for the Hawks. Solihull Barons boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop with a 6-3 win over Sheffield Spartans – Erik Bakalar scored a couple for Barons.

Solway Sharks made it 15 ENL2 wins in a row with an 8-3 success over Hull Stingrays. Nathan Salem (4) and Adam Reynolds (2) led the way for Sharks who look title certainties. Sutton Sting are up to second after beating promotion rivals Flintshire Freeze 9-2 – Simon Butterworth and Shaun Ashton both scored two for Sting. Elvis Veldze hit four as Fylde Flyers beat Bradford Bulldogs 9-4, while Lancashire Raptors are still seeking their first points of the season after losing 7-0 to Sheffield Senators.

Chelmsford Chieftains beat Slough Jets 8-2 to stay a point clear at the top of ENL1 South. Romford Raiders are second after a 6-3 win over MK Thunder, while third placed Cardiff Devils beat Streatham Redskins 7-3. Wightlink Raiders edged past Bristol Bulldogs 5-4 while Invicta Dynamos beat Oxford Stars 9-3.

Guildford Flames grabbed a pair of road wins to open up a two-point lead over Slough Jets at the top of the EPL. Jez Lundin’s (right) last minute empty-netter crowned a 5-3 win at Manchester Phoenix, while Branislav Kvetan notched the shoot-out winner as they beat Sheffield Steeldogs 5-4. Slough split a weekend double-header with third placed MK Lightning, winning 3-1 on home ice but falling 5-2 in the reverse fixture.

Sheffield’s Stuart Brittle scored twice as the Steeldogs beat Basingstoke Bison 5-4, while Juraj Faith grabbed a pair as Phoenix beat Peterborough Phantoms 4-3. Ondrej Lauko hit two as Phantoms beat Telford 4-2 and the Tigers completed a miserable weekend losing 3-1 to Bracknell Bees. Jaroslav Cesky scored twice as Swindon Wildcats won 6-2 against the Bees.

Sheffield Steelers grabbed two vital overtime wins to crank up the pressure at the top of the Elite League. They beat leaders Belfast Giants 2-1 and followed up with a 4-3 win over Braehead Clan. Giants recovered to beat Fife Flyers 3-1 while Nottingham Panthers 6-2 win over Edinburgh Capitals keeps them second – a point ahead of Sheffield.

(Image permissions: Sami Narkia - Pete Sheffield; Jez Lundin - Chris Turner)

Rumour rumour...

Rumour from British Ice Hockey Twitter feed...

BIH understands that an emergency EIHL meeting has been held today at East Midlands Airport to discuss the league's fragile future.

BIH sources have suggested that Belfast, Braehead, Cardiff, Coventry, Nottingham & Sheffield were in attendance.

However sources claim that Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife were not in attendance as the league looks to restructure ahead of 2012/13.

It is believed that the EIHL are planning to scrap their import quota with unlimited ITC holders allowed on each team for 2012/13.

Furthermore there will also be fundemental personnel changes to the EIHL management structure.

This could then lead to a breakaway 3 import league northen league with Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife leading the way.

Dundee, Edinburgh & Fife are believed to be looking towards Blackburn, Billingham, Newcastle, Solway and Whitley to join them.

Whatever the next step is we hope it's the right one for the sport and safeguards the future of all the clubs.

Furthermore, it is understood the EIHL will bring in a highly strict wage cap that will be 'policed' by an independent organisation.

Hawks in the Telegraph

Block 12 Backcheck

Almost halfway through the Hawks' season - what do you think of it so far?

Brilliant? Doubtful. Average? Probably. Awful? In places, yes.

Firstly the good stuff. Chris Arnone, Rick Ravey (above) & Matt Viney. All three have been impressive so far. Off-ice, the sterling work done by a number of people has seen crowds and sponsorship increase, and the match-night experience has been vastly improved.

Other than that it's safe to say everything else hasn't been great.

The Sami Narkia signing certainly created a buzz around the team, and while four wins from six appearances is a step in the right direction, things are far from perfect.

It's not my style to start digging out individuals, but a number of the current squad aren't performing to a consistent level often enough.

To go from demolishing Sheffield one night, to the abject performance against Trafford the next day, leaves a lot of unanswered questions about passion, commitment and the heart to dig in when things aren't going your way.

Accusations of some players lacking the stomach for a fight and an apathy towards what's required to become successful, are still rife in and around the Arena and on the forums - whether this is the case only Jared and his players can answer.

When you see certain players not even finishing their checks, it suggests those accusations may have some merit.

I could waffle on for ages about things I think would improve matters - changes to lines, a kick up the backside here and there, dropping the gloves a bit more - but ultimately it's for Jared and Dangy to sort.

In fairness, they have slowly improved things from where they were - Rome wasn't built in a day and all that - but time is moving on.

The next few weeks will tell us much about whether the Hawks can finally shake off the tag of perennial under-achievers - some have said bottlers - we wait with bated breath.

Ice Hockey - UK Round-up (from Blackburn Hawks match programme 11/12/11)

Billingham Stars returned to winning ways in ENL1 North with a 7-1 win at Nottingham Lions – Adam Robinson scored twice for Stars. Whitley Warriors remain second after beating Telford Titans 5-1, while Trafford Metros move back into third following a 3-0 win at Blackburn Hawks. Sheffield Spartans fill the final play-off position after slumping to a 7-2 win at home to Hawks – Brian Worrall and Aaron Davies both hit two for the visitors.

Solihull Barons grabbed a thrilling 7-5 derby win over Coventry Blaze. Barons trailed 2-0 at the end of the first, but roared back in the second to tie the game at 3-3. They took control in the third to run out deserving winners. Two goals from Michael Rose helped Nottingham to a 3-2 win at Telford.

Sutton Sting’s ENL2 promotion hopes were dealt a blow as they fell to a shock 4-3 loss at Hull Stingrays. Bradford Bulldogs drew 6-6 with Sheffield Senators and made it a three point weekend with a 7-1 win over Lancashire Raptors.

Romford Raiders closed the gap on Chelmsford Chieftains at the top of ENL1 South to one point after a pair of wins. JJ McGrath (4) and Danny Marshall (3) led the way as they disposed of MK Thunder 11-1, and two Juraj Huska strikes helped them to a 6-4 win at Invicta Dynamos. Chieftains’ Player/Coach Gary Clarke scored twice in a 5-0 win at Streatham Redskins.

Guildford Flames’ Nathan Rempel (right) grabbed a couple as the EPL leaders won 5-3 at Swindon Wildcats and was also among the scorers in their 5-0 win over Bracknell Bees. Slough Jets stay second after a pair of wins over Sheffield Steelers – Joe Greener bagged a hat-trick in their 5-3 home success and the only goal in the return at Sheffield. MK Lightning are up to third following a 3-2 shoot-out win over Peterborough Phantoms and a 4-1 victory at Telford Tigers.

Martin Cingel scored twice for Manchester Phoenix as they won 6-2 at Bracknell, but their inconsistent form continued as they fell 4-3 at home to Basingstoke – Viktor Kubenko struck twice for Bison. Telford recovered from 5-2 down at Basingstoke to win 6-5 after a shoot-out, while Aaron Nell hit four as Swindon thumped Peterborough 8-1.

Belfast Giants remain top of the Elite League after wins over Hull Stingrays (5-1) and Cardiff Devils (4-2). Nottingham Panthers are second after a 4-3 win in overtime against Cardiff and a 5-4 success against Dundee Stars. Sheffield Steelers stayed in the title mix after beating Cardiff 4-2 and Hull 3-2 in overtime.

(Nathan Rempel image by kind permission of David Steadman)