Rink round-up

Monday, 21st November 2005

London Racers are the subject of much speculation in fan circles this weekend following the news that the Racers' management are 'reviewing their position in consultation with insurers and investors' following a series of incidents which have cast doubt on the safety of the Lee Valley rink, the current home of the London team. A facial injury to Nottingham's Blaz Emersic resulting from a 'protruding object in the barrier boards' and injuries to a fan as a result of shattering plexiglass have been the latest incidents to bring these concerns to the fore, and with the reviewing of the Racers' position the future of the team appears uncertain. London Racers player Nathan Rempel has been released to be signed by Cardiff Devils, and the Racers' management are reportedly attempting to secure roster places for their players with other teams. Cardiff Coach Ed Patterson is pleased to see the return of Rempel, despite the circumstances surrounding the signing. "Remps is coming back," says Coach Patterson, "we talked about the reasons he didn't come back in the first place and none of them were to do with personality, he went to London and has proven me wrong, he's played hard every night and he's done a perfect job and I look at him as being the guy we want off that team, and he's a perfect guy to have in our dressing room."

Other than off-ice speculation, the Racers' week has been fairly productive. Last Wednesday saw the Racers take to the road to visit Newcastle Vipers in Elite League competition, and a powerplay marker from Trevor Baker in the fifth minute gave London an early lead. Jonathan Weaver pulled one back for the Vipers to level the scoreline in the ninth minute, only for Dennis Maxwell to restore the London lead going into the first interval. A goal-less second period gave way to a tense third period, where ex-Manchester Phoenix forward Jason Hewitt put the scoreline at 1-3, but with three minutes remaining the Vipers capitalised on a 5-on-3 powerplay with David Longstaff putting the puck in the net to bring the game to within one goal. With time running out the Vipers pulled the netminder, but the tactic backfired with Jason Norrie putting away the empty netter to take the points for London, the game finishing 2-4 to the Racers.

Newcastle Vipers were on the road the following night with a trip down to Cardiff to take on the Devils in the first leg of their Challenge Cup Semi Final, with Cardiff icing without Regan Darby (injury) and Brad Voth (suspension). Simon Leach found the net to open the scoring for Newcastle in the fourteenth minute only for Louis Goulet to equalise two minutes later. Rob Wilson put the Vipers back in the driving seat before the first interval, and a scoreless second period saw Newcastle carry their lead into the third period. Ed Patterson put the teams back on level pegging five minutes into the third period thanks to some hard work in the corner from Jeff Burgoyne, and with there being no overtime in Challenge Cup semis, the scoreline remains at 2-2 ahead of the second leg, which will be played on Tuesday 29th November. Cardiff lost veteran forward Vezio Sacratini to injury during the first period, a hard hit aggravating a shoulder injury.

Friday night's league action saw Sheffield Steelers at home to London Racers, and a first minute powerplay marker from Duncan Dalmao gave the Racers an early lead. Mark Dutiame drew the game level before a Kent Simpson marker and a second goal from Dutiame put the Steelers up 3-1 by the first interval. Andrew Luciuk made it 4-1 in the second before the Steelers went into defensive play mode, keeping the Racers at bay until partway through the third period when Dennis Maxwell pulled one back to make it 4-2 at the final whistle, Sheffield taking the points.

Sheffield made the headlines again on Saturday, but for different reasons. Coach Paul Heavey, formerly of Manchester Phoenix, announced that he was leaving the club by mutual consent after contract talks broke down. Sheffield owner Bob Phillips was saddened with the news, saying "We are of course disappointed that both sides have come to this conclusion, we thank Paul for his great efforts over the past few months, I am sure Paul will soon find himself coaching again and everyone at the club wishes him all the best for the future." Mike Peron and Ron Shudra have jointly taken over the coaching of the team in the short term.

Basingstoke Bison hosted Coventry Blaze on Saturday night in league competition, with Pavol Mihalik putting the biscuit in the basket to open the scoring for the visitors in the first period. Barrie Moore and Dan Welch added to the Blaze lead in the second period, taking a 0-3 scoreline into the second interval. John Wheaton pulled one back for the Bison in the third, only for Ashley Tait to rub salt in the wounds with a goal of his own, Coventry taking the win with a 1-4 scoreline.

Nottingham Panthers were at home to Edinburgh Capitals on Saturday, with a tight first period ending without score. Blaz Emersic and Shaun Sutter put two goals into the Edinburgh net within ninety seconds of each other in the second period, and that proved to be the only scoring of the night, Nottingham taking the game 2-0.

Sunday's league action saw London Racers on the road in Cardiff in a match which the Devils' match report lists as "the last game the Racers will play in British ice hockey until they can find a new home." Phil Hill opened the scoring in the second period for Cardiff after a subdued first period, only for Jason Norrie to bring the scores level within a minute. The scores remained tied until halfway through the third period, when Troy Smith found the net to give the Racers the lead. Jason Hewitt put a third goal for the Racers on the board in the fifty ninth minute, the game ending 1-3 to London.

Belfast Giants harvested a bumper crop of goals at home against Sheffield Steelers on Sunday, with the Giants coming out on the right end of a 5-0 scoreline. Ed Courtenay, Marc Levers and Theo Fleury gave the home team a 3-0 lead by the first interval, and in the first minute of the second period Courtenay netted again to make it 4-0, Sheffield opting to pull Jody Lehman from their net and replace him with Davey Lawrence. Courtenay's hat-trick goal in the third period gave Belfast the 5-0 win, with netminder Mike Minard notching up a 23 shot shut-out.

Coventry Blaze were at home to local rivals Nottingham Panthers on Sunday in a game delayed due to a Zamboni breakdown. Calle Carlsson opened the scoring in the first period to give Nottingham the lead, and Joe Cardarelli made it two nil in the second. Barrie Moore pulled one back in the third period, but the game ended controversially with a Neal Martin goal two minutes from time being ruled out. The game subsequently ended 1-2 to the Panthers.

Edinburgh Capitals hosted Basingstoke Bison on Sunday, with the Bison jumping to a two-goal lead by the first interval thanks to Doug Sheppard and Greg Chambers. Tony Hand netted for the Caps in the second period only for the Bison to reassert their lead through Jerry Galway. John Wheaton put the scoreline at 1-4 in the third period and a late marker from Jim Vickers for the Edinburgh side wasn't enough, the game ending 2-4 to the visiting Bison.

by Richard Allan

News

Rink round-up