WEEKEND
PREVIEW
NIHL
NORTH DIVISION 1 (MORALEE)
Saturday 7th October 2017
Solway
Sharks vs. Solihull Barons
Sheffield
Steeldogs vs. Billingham Stars
Sunday
8th October 2017
Whitley Warriors vs. Telford Tigers
Hull
Pirates vs. Billingham Stars
Blackburn Hawks vs. Solway Sharks (National Cup)
Fixture:
Solway Sharks vs. Solihull Barons
Date: 7th October 2017
Venue: Dumfries Ice Bowl
Faceoff: 7:00pm
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Taking
to the ice against Daniel MacKriel’s Solihull Barons for the first time this
season, Martin Grubb’s men will be hoping to bounce back from last Sunday’s disappointing defeat to Hull Pirates to claim two league points
ahead of their cup fixture against Blackburn Hawks on Sunday. Winning all four league games against Solihull Barons last season, the Dumfries outfit recorded a 3-1 home
victory against the side early in October before winning by four
goals to one on the road one month later. Playing the Barons at Hobs Moat Road
for a second time at the end of January, the Sharks were then able to triumph over
Perry Doyle’s men for a third time; captain Struan Tonnar and forward Joe
Coulter amongst those on the scoresheet before the title winners rounded off
their season with a 4-1 win at the Ice Bowl.
Facing
MacKriel’s strong squad, which now includes Brittle brothers Daniel and Luke besides skilled forwards Thomas Soar, Joe Henry, Josh Bruce and Ed Eaton,
outstanding young prospect Matthew Maurice and Swedish import Niklas Ottosson,
it is clear that Solway Sharks will have their work cut out against the organised Barons who will be hoping for a victory against the defending
champions this Saturday to make up for their recent form. Currently sitting in
ninth place with just two points from five games, Solihull find themselves with
the same tally as both Billingham Stars and The Dragons, but should the side excel this weekend, MacKriel’s men will go ahead of both teams. With Solihull’s only real success an overtime win against Hull Pirates, it is clear that the Barons can certainly compete and it
will be hoped that the outfit’s competitive edge will allow for a close contest
against the Sharks on Saturday. Always interesting, this game is not one to be missed as
both teams chase the points to ensure that they improve on their current league
positions, with Solway aiming to contend in the top four whilst the Barons
seek their second victory to push away from the relegation places.
Taking time to look ahead to their
first league clash against the Barons this season, Head Coach Martin Grubb
stated:
“This will be another tough game against a Solihull
team who I rate highly. They have a good core of players and then with the
addition of Daniel and Luke Brittle, along with Daniel MacKriel’s coaching,
they will be a dangerous proposition. We were disappointed with how we played
last Sunday and we have a chance to bounce back and we will be better.”
Preparing for this encounter, Head
Coach Daniel MacKriel revealed his thoughts on Solihull Barons’ latest
challenge:
“Solway away is
always a tough place to go and play. They don’t seem to change their core
players often and have recruited to enhance their team well. Martin is a very
good coach too so they’ll be well-drilled and disciplined. It’ll be a tough
game no doubt. We’ve not been in a position to ice a full team as yet but we’ve
been playing some good hockey and just need to show consistency across three
periods. The league has obviously strengthened and is relentless. It’s a good
challenge for all clubs involved and I’m sure there’ll be twists and turns
along the way!”
Fixture:
Sheffield Steeldogs vs. Billingham Stars
Date: 7th October 2017
Venue: Ice Sheffield
Faceoff: 7:30pm
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Travelling to Ice Sheffield to face Ben Morgan’s Steeldogs for the
second time this season after playing the side mid-September, Billingham Stars
will head out for the first game of their double header with the aim to achieve
the second win of their campaign. Coming close to victory only to have triumph snatched away by a
single goal on five occasions to date, the Stars are eager to get their season
back on track and were hugely disappointed to miss out on maximum points
against former EPL outfit Telford Tigers last weekend in which the Teessiders
established a two-goal lead only to lose out by four goals to three.
In their recent outing against the Steeldogs on the road, Billingham
suffered a 7-3 defeat as Sheffield took the lead thirty four seconds in to
dominate throughout despite efforts from forward Jack Emerson, Latvian
import Deniss Baškatovs and blue liner Andy Finn. Certainly not short of
action, this game proved a fiery contest as Sheffield’s defenceman Thomas Relf
was ejected for an elbowing offence against Billingham's blue liner Darren Stattersfield who
has yet to return to the ice after suffering from concussion, whilst Stars’ ‘D’
man Dave Thomas dropped the gloves with Steeldogs’ alternate captain Ashley
Calvert to each incur roughing penalties of 2+2. A total of seventy three penalty
minutes dished out by referee Andrew Miller, both teams will look to avoid a
lack of discipline this coming weekend but with the Stars’ growing desperation to
convert performances into points, not to mention Sheffield’s
determination to climb the league standings, this task will be easier said than
done as the two prepare to compete to the best of their ability.
Reflecting on Sheffield’s league form
ahead of their game against Billingham Stars, Steeldogs’ captain Lewis
Bell shared:
“We played
against Billingham at home a couple of weeks ago so we’ve got a little idea of
what they’re about. However, seeing
their recent close results against other top teams, I expect a much closer
battle this time around. They have some talented players and can be more than
capable of beating us if we aren’t at our best. I’m sure we will be ready to go
and hopefully put in another winning performance. With regards to the season so
far, as a whole, I’m very pleased, particularly with our league form, with only
an overtime loss to Telford as our one defeat. It’s been quite hard to gauge
where we are at with a bit of a stop-start fixture list but our record is where
we’d like it to be so hopefully we can kick on. We had two tough close defeats
to a good Basingstoke team in the cup which was disappointing but it was a good
benchmark. I’d like to think we will continue to push at
the top of the table and hopefully be in the title race.”
Fixture: Whitley
Warriors vs. Telford Tigers
Date: 8th October 2017
Venue: Whitley Bay Ice Rink
Faceoff: 5:00pm
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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After
winning on home ice against Scott McKenzie’s Dragons last weekend, Whitley
Warriors will prepare for their toughest challenge yet as they head out onto
the ice against current league leaders Telford Tigers for the first time since
the former EPL outfit joined NIHL North Division One. Whilst David Longstaff’s
line-up have achieved three wins from five games, triumphing over The Dragons
on the road and at home whilst also defeating Nottingham Lions by four goals to
one at Hillheads, Telford Tigers have yet to lose a single point in the league,
collecting twelve points from six games to go ahead of close competitors
Blackburn Hawks and Solway Sharks. Though there have been some narrow victories
for the Tigers, including a 4-3 win on penalty shots against Sheffield
Steeldogs and an identical result against Billingham Stars last weekend in
regular time, Telford appear unbeatable at present with the side’s attacking
play continuing to outshine their opposition, though the team are currently
without experienced defenceman Jonathan Weaver who began to serve his
eleven-game ban last weekend.
Further
strengthening their squad following the signing of former Lion Warren Tait last
week, the Tigers have added Finnish import Kim Miettinen to their roster, a
player that the Warriors will be more than familiar with, the blue liner having
featured against Whitley when playing for Solway Sharks and Blackburn Hawks
in recent seasons. Whilst icing with the Dumfries outfit in his last campaign, Miettinen tallied two goals and nine assists against the
Warriors, and as such, will be hoping for more of the same this weekend as he
slots into Tom Watkins’ highly competitive, compact roster. Whilst Whitley will
look to do all they can against the Tigers in front of a home crowd, this game
will certainly prove a challenging one as they pit themselves
against the quality of Telford’s top points scorers Jason Silverthorn, Joe
Miller and Rick Plant who have collectively accumulated thirty eight points in the
six games they have featured. As such, Whitley’s usual fortitude and tenacity
will be crucial on Sunday if the side are to compete against the strongest
teams in Division One but, whether or not this is possible, remains to be seen,
making this clash well worth the watch.
Looking ahead to this undoubtedly
difficult contest, player-coach David Longstaff admitted:
“It’s
a good test to see where we are at. Everyone expects them to beat us so we go
into the game with no pressure and it’s a chance for some of our players to play against some very good players they haven’t seen before.”
After signing for Telford Tigers earlier this week, Finnish defenceman
Kim Miettinen revealed that he is looking forward to his return to the ice:
“This summer, I
looked at different teams in a few countries and a couple of options fell
through at the last minute. Then I started talking with Tom Watkins and, after
a couple of weeks, I decided to sign for the Tigers as I think their
organisation sounds really good and they also have a great team. I look forward
to my first weekend with the club and it’s nice to play against my old team,
Blackburn Hawks, on Saturday. Whitley, on Sunday, is going to be a tough game as
they are a good home team. The atmosphere is always really good over there and
they play physical hockey which I like to play as well. So I think, overall, it’s
going to be a good weekend playing puck again after a while and I’m really looking forward to it!”
Fixture: Hull
Pirates vs. Billingham Stars
Date: 8th October 2017
Venue: Hull Arena
Faceoff: 5:30pm
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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After
playing against Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday evening, Billingham Stars will remain
on the road as they make the trip to Hull Arena to face Jason Hewitt’s Pirates, these two sides facing each other for the first time this season.
Sitting in third place with seven points from five games, Hull began the season
with some mixed form before winning their last two league encounters following
a 6-3 cup victory over Peterborough Phantoms last month. Opening their season
with a 7-6 overtime defeat to Solihull Barons, the Pirates bounced back to claim
a 5-3 win over Nottingham Lions before losing out again to Blackburn Hawks in
Lancashire. Since then, Hull have settled into the league it would seem,
finding themselves on the right end of a 9-3 score line against The Dragons
before beating defending champions Solway Sharks last Sunday by five goals to
three. As a result, Hewitt’s men will be aiming to maintain their current form
to climb into the top four, leaving the Stars with much work to do as they look
to gather as many points as possible from a very difficult double header.
Alternate
captain Chris Sykes, captain Michael Elder and player-coach Michael Bowman
found themselves on the score sheet for the Teessiders last weekend and will
aim to strike the back of the net once again when they take to the ice against the Pirates. Hull, meanwhile, were pleased to see their player-coach hit the target twice against the Sharks, alongside forwards Jordan Fisher and Lee Bonner,
alternate captain Samuel Towner and right winger James Archer, and as such, the side will hope for more of the same on Sunday. As a result, it is clear to see that
both teams are capable of excellent offensive play but it is achieving a lead
and holding onto it which will be essential, particularly for the
Stars who have struggled with this against both Solway Sharks and Telford
Tigers so far this campaign. Set to be an interesting contest, the Stars will look
forward to this challenge whilst the Pirates turn their attentions to the
topmost spots of the table, meaning this game could prove to be a turning point for
Billingham should they succeed in their efforts to claim the points against a
high tempo, hard-hitting Hull outfit.
Considering the difficulties of the
Stars’ upcoming double header, alternate captain Chris Sykes took time to
discuss his expectations of Billingham’s upcoming games:
“It’s a massive weekend for the Stars; two ex-EPL teams
to face and both away from The Forum. We just can’t get the win at the moment
and we’ve lacked that clinical touch in some games but we know what we are up
against on Saturday as last time was a fast paced game. We need to be
defensively sound and keep our end clear to hopefully pinch two points in
Sheffield. Sunday is another tough ask as we head to Hull. We haven’t played
Hull yet. We’ve only seen the results they’ve had and, judging by those, it
won’t be an easy task to go there and get a win either. It’s a massive weekend
for us but hopefully we can come away with what we want!”
Meanwhile, Hull Pirates’ experienced
defenceman Chris Wilcox noted:
“We are going into this weekend following a good win
over last year’s champions Solway Sharks. We know from facing Billingham that they
will come into Hull a hardworking, skilled team that can score goals but if we
stick to our game plan, we are confident we can get another win.”
Fixture: Blackburn
Hawks vs. Solway Sharks
Date: 8th October 2017
Venue: Blackburn Ice Arena
Faceoff: 5:45pm
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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After
facing Solihull Barons at the Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday evening, Solway Sharks
will resume their cup campaign in Lancashire on Sunday as they take to the ice
against Steven Duncombe’s Blackburn Hawks for the second time this campaign. Currently
competing in the topmost places of NIHL North’s Division One whilst peering
over Solway’s shoulder in the National Cup competition, Blackburn have
accumulated four points from the three games they have played to date; their
only defeat an 8-5 loss to the Dumfries outfit on the opening day of the 2017-18
season. This game began with the Hawks very much in control as Duncombe’s men claimed
a three-goal lead within the first thirteen minutes of the game to force the
defending champions to make a comeback which Blackburn strove to prevent. With poor discipline from the Hawks between the
midpoint of the second period and the start of the third, Solway were able
to seize two power play goals to go ahead in this encounter, establishing
a gap which could not be bridged by Blackburn.
As
such, the Hawks will be out to avenge this defeat on Sunday in front of a home
crowd and will aim to employ the skill of goal scoring forwards Rick Bentham, Aaron
Davies and James Riddoch, Slovakian left winger Jozef Ištocy and defenceman
Bobby Streetly, all of whom were on the scoresheet when Blackburn last played
against the Sharks. Also making a huge impact for Duncombe’s team since signing
in recent weeks, young prospect and two-way player Kieran Brown will continue
to be a positive influence within Blackburn’s setup and, should he ice against
the Sharks this Sunday, it is highly likely that he will contribute to his side’s
offensive play having already notched fourteen points in just four games to
date. Meanwhile, Sharks’ forwards Iain Bowie and Ross Murray will be equally
hoping to impress against Blackburn after collectively tallying eleven points
in this contest at the start of the season. Aiming for silverware once again,
Solway will set their sights on a fourth cup victory to go four points clear of
the Hawks but, on the other hand, two points for Duncombe’s men would see Blackburn
tied on points with the Sharks, making the outcome of this contest a very
interesting one indeed.
Adding to his earlier comments, Grubb considered
Solway’s upcoming cup contest against Blackburn Hawks:
“Blackburn
are flying right now and are full of confidence so we know they will come out
hard and be looking to continue their good form. We need to ensure we are
focused and that we compete in all three zones. We know we can go there and
win if we execute our plan.”
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