Yup. We didn't get our expected evenings entertainment on Sunday as the Bisons team coach apparently set itself on fire whilst driving along the M6 (Maybe it couldn't face being full of beaten hockey players again?).
The club were apparently informed at around 2.30-3.00pm, and were advised that the Bison would not make the stated 5.30pm face-off time, but might be able to make it for 7.30pm (the limit of the EIHLs timeframe for abandonment and fortiture of points). Then, just to make things even more ridiculous, they had the cheek to ask us to abandon early, and award them the points! What the fuck?!?!?!
Anyways, as ever, Neil and the Phoenix crew made the best of a bad situation, by giving the 400 or so fans who stayed on the chance to see the guys play some not entirely serious 3 on 3 hockey, complete with a shootout to decide the winners. It wa svery funny to see Garbutt and Ward put the netties gear on and take up the position between the pipes... and as for some of the goal celebrations, well, they were truly hilarious.
The downshot is with the fixture re-arranged (take that Bison, it wasn't abandoned, so no easy points for you) for next Tuesday (3rd) we have the unenviable prospect of 6 games in 10 nights. Its almost like the first season in the Dome all over again.
Oh, and I can also confirm that the Pyre will be partaking in the Play-Off Weekend Project. Stay tuned for more on that one.
WARNING!
WARNING!!!!!!!!
This blog can, and does contain language which many readers may find offensive. If you don't like swearing, it might be a good time to read a different blog...
Seriously. this is most certainly a blog written by an adult, containing adult language.
This blog can, and does contain language which many readers may find offensive. If you don't like swearing, it might be a good time to read a different blog...
Seriously. this is most certainly a blog written by an adult, containing adult language.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The future of British hockey...
Earlier in the season, I posted my idea for a more sustainable league format for the sport here in the UK.
Recent rumors seem to be suggesting that I'm not the only one to have had these thoughts, and that some significant changes might be afoot. Obviously, most of this is just rumour and heresay at the moment, but I thought it wise to re-cap the various bits and pieces which have reached my ears, so we can look back come the off season and see just how accurate thes erumors are/were.
So, without further ado, here we go...
Rumor 1: A new Northern Premier League is going to be formed. This will feature a number of North England teams, along with the stronger Scottish sides, playing in a 4 import league (much like the EPL). Various combinations of teams have been mentioned in relation to this rumour, with the common thread being that at least 2 current EIHL sides are interested in 'dropping down' to this level. Also, a persistent part of this one features a number of sides who have tried and failed to run import hockey being involved. Odds of fruition: 50-1.
Rumour 2: A new 'Northern League' featuring the top Scottish Teams, plus the majority of the ENL North to start. This may be an expansion of the ENL into north of the border, and would amke sense, possibly allowing a split into 2 divisions as per the ENL South (ie ENL North 1&2/ENL South 1&2). Would likely require a re-branding of the ENL to a more 'British' name (eg BNL/BNIHL). Odds: 10-1. This one seems pretty Strong.
Rumour 3: The 8 import 'Anglo-Scottish League'. This is broadly similar to the NPL rumour, alb eit featuring everyone in the EIHL outside of the 'Big 4' plus Fife and Dundee reverting to a level similar to the defunct BNL (8 impoerts, lower wage cap). Could be a goer. Odds: 20-1.
Rumour 4: EIHL to drop to 8 imports, BAsingstoke to stay in the league, wage cap to be lowered. According to rumor, only 1 EIHL side is against a reduction in the import and wage level (could be Nottingham of Sheffield depending on who you here it from). Would essentially maintain the status quo. Odds: 10-1. Just as likely as Rumor 2.
And there you go.
Recent rumors seem to be suggesting that I'm not the only one to have had these thoughts, and that some significant changes might be afoot. Obviously, most of this is just rumour and heresay at the moment, but I thought it wise to re-cap the various bits and pieces which have reached my ears, so we can look back come the off season and see just how accurate thes erumors are/were.
So, without further ado, here we go...
Rumor 1: A new Northern Premier League is going to be formed. This will feature a number of North England teams, along with the stronger Scottish sides, playing in a 4 import league (much like the EPL). Various combinations of teams have been mentioned in relation to this rumour, with the common thread being that at least 2 current EIHL sides are interested in 'dropping down' to this level. Also, a persistent part of this one features a number of sides who have tried and failed to run import hockey being involved. Odds of fruition: 50-1.
Rumour 2: A new 'Northern League' featuring the top Scottish Teams, plus the majority of the ENL North to start. This may be an expansion of the ENL into north of the border, and would amke sense, possibly allowing a split into 2 divisions as per the ENL South (ie ENL North 1&2/ENL South 1&2). Would likely require a re-branding of the ENL to a more 'British' name (eg BNL/BNIHL). Odds: 10-1. This one seems pretty Strong.
Rumour 3: The 8 import 'Anglo-Scottish League'. This is broadly similar to the NPL rumour, alb eit featuring everyone in the EIHL outside of the 'Big 4' plus Fife and Dundee reverting to a level similar to the defunct BNL (8 impoerts, lower wage cap). Could be a goer. Odds: 20-1.
Rumour 4: EIHL to drop to 8 imports, BAsingstoke to stay in the league, wage cap to be lowered. According to rumor, only 1 EIHL side is against a reduction in the import and wage level (could be Nottingham of Sheffield depending on who you here it from). Would essentially maintain the status quo. Odds: 10-1. Just as likely as Rumor 2.
And there you go.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
CC Final, here we come.
Well, that was much more of a formailty than I expected.
6-1 on the night, 11-3 on aggregate. Ouch. The Bison surely can't know what hit them?
Of course, if the team had actually shown up opn Sunday, we might be looking at a different scoreline, certainly one which was a tiny bit closer. I really felt sorry for the contingent of Bison fans who travelled all the way up to the Dome. Their team were, to be non to polite, shit.
Reiter did his best to keep them in it, but it became a lost cause all to easily in the end, with both backups icicng the majority of the 3rd period.
The crowd was damned good, albeit with a fair few 'comps' in, but there were easily 1500+ in the building, which made for a good vibe all round.
And thats that for now.
6-1 on the night, 11-3 on aggregate. Ouch. The Bison surely can't know what hit them?
Of course, if the team had actually shown up opn Sunday, we might be looking at a different scoreline, certainly one which was a tiny bit closer. I really felt sorry for the contingent of Bison fans who travelled all the way up to the Dome. Their team were, to be non to polite, shit.
Reiter did his best to keep them in it, but it became a lost cause all to easily in the end, with both backups icicng the majority of the 3rd period.
The crowd was damned good, albeit with a fair few 'comps' in, but there were easily 1500+ in the building, which made for a good vibe all round.
And thats that for now.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Well, we did it!
We finally beat the Blaze.
FINALLY.
Talk about getting the proverbial monkey off your back.
And we did it in a cracking game. There was some wonderful hockey played by both sides, and some well taken shots.
Sure, there were moments of contention (when isn't there?), such as Coventrys 2nd (Washed out then awarded) and 3rd (goal was off its moorings) goals, and we almost conspired to throw away a 2 goal lead in the 3rd period again, but I an so happy we won I am not going to do my usual rant about these percieved injustices.
All I will say is the goal judge, (who was in the bar after the game), said that the 2nd goal was definately a goal, and that linesman Staniforth agreed (It was Staniforth who convinced Hanson he got it wrong). And I couldn't see their 3rd clearly (other end of the rink) so I won't pass comment on it.
Oh yeah, one more time... WE BEAT THE BLAZE.
Memories of the horrible double figure drubbing from the 1st season are now fading fast.
FINALLY.
Talk about getting the proverbial monkey off your back.
And we did it in a cracking game. There was some wonderful hockey played by both sides, and some well taken shots.
Sure, there were moments of contention (when isn't there?), such as Coventrys 2nd (Washed out then awarded) and 3rd (goal was off its moorings) goals, and we almost conspired to throw away a 2 goal lead in the 3rd period again, but I an so happy we won I am not going to do my usual rant about these percieved injustices.
All I will say is the goal judge, (who was in the bar after the game), said that the 2nd goal was definately a goal, and that linesman Staniforth agreed (It was Staniforth who convinced Hanson he got it wrong). And I couldn't see their 3rd clearly (other end of the rink) so I won't pass comment on it.
Oh yeah, one more time... WE BEAT THE BLAZE.
Memories of the horrible double figure drubbing from the 1st season are now fading fast.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
What a shitter...
Talk about being robbed! losing 2-4 to a Panthers side who only showed up in the last 10mins or so of the game.
Once more, this has brought about the usual apoplectic siezures on the official forum, but I refuse to criticise the boys after Sunday. 1 d-man could barely breathe thanks to bronchitis (Garbutt), and another had to go to hospital after losing several teeth (Boothroyd), putting immese pressure on the remaining guys, faced with a team which is clearly a grand or so better (you figure out what I mean).
But what really pissed me off was the pathetic behaviour of the Panthers team in the aftermath of our 1st goal. Complain to the ref by all means, but refusing to play for nigh on 5 minutes after he has dismissed your appeals is frankly petulance of the highest order. It also shows a total disregard for the match officials, and should have drawn a number of misconduct and delay of game penalties. What it did draw was precisely fuck all. Referee Dean Smith bottled it, by not calling a single penalty against the Panthers or their bench.
Then when we were getting ready to restart Robinson deliberatley kicked his goal off its moorings... again, no penalty called.
This lead to myself and a number of others going into the 3rd period witha deep sense of foreboding, which was ratehr sadly an accurate indicator of what was to come.
Thank fuck Cardiff also lost. Keeps a bit of daylight between us.
And the attendance was also rather poor again. About 1100-1200 (barely) in the house, and it would ahve been significantly less if the Panthers hadn't ahve brought so many with them. WTF is going on? We seem to have lost about 2-300 regulars since Xmas. Not a good sign.
Once more, this has brought about the usual apoplectic siezures on the official forum, but I refuse to criticise the boys after Sunday. 1 d-man could barely breathe thanks to bronchitis (Garbutt), and another had to go to hospital after losing several teeth (Boothroyd), putting immese pressure on the remaining guys, faced with a team which is clearly a grand or so better (you figure out what I mean).
But what really pissed me off was the pathetic behaviour of the Panthers team in the aftermath of our 1st goal. Complain to the ref by all means, but refusing to play for nigh on 5 minutes after he has dismissed your appeals is frankly petulance of the highest order. It also shows a total disregard for the match officials, and should have drawn a number of misconduct and delay of game penalties. What it did draw was precisely fuck all. Referee Dean Smith bottled it, by not calling a single penalty against the Panthers or their bench.
Then when we were getting ready to restart Robinson deliberatley kicked his goal off its moorings... again, no penalty called.
This lead to myself and a number of others going into the 3rd period witha deep sense of foreboding, which was ratehr sadly an accurate indicator of what was to come.
Thank fuck Cardiff also lost. Keeps a bit of daylight between us.
And the attendance was also rather poor again. About 1100-1200 (barely) in the house, and it would ahve been significantly less if the Panthers hadn't ahve brought so many with them. WTF is going on? We seem to have lost about 2-300 regulars since Xmas. Not a good sign.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)