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Post by lukethomas on Feb 14, 2008 13:14:00 GMT
However that's the easy part. The playoffs are in March, which is six more games, and then there's the ENIHL Championship, against the Southern Champions, over two legs. The point is, we've still plenty more work to do and plenty more hockey to play, and while we've got something to celebrate, let's make it count and enjoy every minute of it. Thought its just a single game at the Coventry playoff weekend, or is this some other game we have to look forward to?
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Feb 14, 2008 13:23:15 GMT
However that's the easy part. The playoffs are in March, which is six more games, and then there's the ENIHL Championship, against the Southern Champions, over two legs. The point is, we've still plenty more work to do and plenty more hockey to play, and while we've got something to celebrate, let's make it count and enjoy every minute of it. Thought its just a single game at the Coventry playoff weekend, or is this some other game we have to look forward to? This is a different game. The top four teams in North play each other home & away with the winner playing the winners of the South playoffs - this is the top 2 in South A & B. This is the game in Coventry. As North League Champions (I still can't get used to that!) we will play the Winners of the Southern Leagues. AFAIK, the Winner of South A plays the Winner of South B, then they play us to find the overall League Champions. Peterborough Islanders won South A, and it's going to be between Ed's former team Invicta Dynamos or Streatham Redskins as to who wins South B. As for the North playoffs? It's still quite tight! Newcastle still haven't definately qualified, and there is still all to play for between Sheffield, Blackburn & Billingham - although the Bombers fans seem to have ruled themselves out of the running, and it is going to be difficult for them to qualify. I think that we're going to be playing Newcastle, Whitley & Sheffield, but who knows?
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Post by lukethomas on Feb 14, 2008 13:46:32 GMT
Oh yea, forgot about that game!
Invicta would be a great game, see how we fair against the 'pro' team! Peterborough are a very rough, wacky, slashy team this year, and having thrown Jessie Hammill out of a game this season (where he drew his stick back as if he was going to 2-hand slash me!), wouldnt like to face him in a game!
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Shorty
Paul Adey
Still here for Private Messages
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Post by Shorty on Feb 14, 2008 23:03:45 GMT
Well done Lions, hard work and comittment paying off big style.
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Feb 15, 2008 14:26:02 GMT
HOT OFF THE PRESS:
I've just had it confirmed that the game on the 24th vs. Sheffield WILL be in the Arena.
Face off is still scheduled for 7.15pm, and we hopefully have some celebrations planned.
I should be able to confirm shortly if the Lions will be presented with the trophy after that game.
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Post by KimThePanther on Feb 15, 2008 16:25:00 GMT
Great news. Congratulations all.
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Post by Cooke#19 on Feb 15, 2008 16:27:38 GMT
Well done guys! ;D
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Feb 18, 2008 13:49:33 GMT
From todays NEP..
Ice Hockey: Nottingham Lions have clinched their first English National League (North) title - without stepping on the ice.
The Lions, who struggled to beat Lancashire Raptors 6-1 in Blackburn, were relying on the right result in the North-East derby, as last seasons' English National League Champions Newcastle Vipers took on the Whitley Warriors.
The Vipers were leading 2-0 with just 20 minutes to go, then the Warriors pulled the game back to 2-2, but it was not enough to prevent the Lions from winning the title with one game to go.
Team Manager Richard Blount said: "It's unbelievable. It's not sunk in yet. I've been talking to some of the players and we're all ecstatic.
"The team have worked hard this year, and credit has to go to the on ice team - including the coach and managers, but also to the Friends of the Lions for all they do behind the scenes."
Nottingham Lions play their final League game on Sunday February 24, at home to the Sheffield Scimitars (7.15pm).
Blount added: "We're hoping to have a bit of a party. It's the first title I've ever won and it's a first time for most of the Lions players in senior hockey too."
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Jay
Ashley Tait
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Post by Jay on Feb 18, 2008 13:57:39 GMT
Congratulations Lions!!
Hard work and dedication has definetly paid off!!
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Post by quoththeraven on Feb 19, 2008 20:17:06 GMT
Invicta would be a great game, see how we fair against the 'pro' team! They're not a pro team - hockey is not their full time job and the vast majority of players pay to play. Of those who do receive expenses, it is probably less than what an Elite League official receives The one person who is paid by the club is "Coach" Kevin Parrish, who merged the roles of owner's son and benchwarmer and became head coach of the club. Of the people who post regularly in this thread, there are three of us who have seen Invicta this season, and though Southern Luke has seen them most, I have seen them the most recently. Last Sunday I got a look at Invicta, who battled past Romford 5-3. They were a total shambles and with respect to the Spitfires, they would probably have been slaughtered by a talented team with a competent coach. I'm willing to consider it was a bad day at the office, and a couple of players admitted that to me in so many words, but there were enough flaws in the fundamentals to give food for thought to any opposition side. That having been said, Joe Allen, who was MoM, and Andy Smith, were on form. Andy Smith (as opposed to his cousin Jamie, or AJ, or Tim - both unrelated from the other Smiths), scored four goals in this game, two of which were shorthanded turnovers, and the main tactic was in fact to give him the puck and let him skate with it.
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Feb 22, 2008 10:38:29 GMT
Lions have been given their playoff fixtures. Despite not completing all their games yet, Sheffield have qualified for the final playoff berth. Even if Sheffield lose their remaining 2 games, they would finish level on points with Blackburn & Billingham but qualify due to a better record on a mini-league between the 3 clubs.
So, Lions playoff fixtures are: Sunday 9 March - Whitley Bay Away 18.30 face off Saturday 15 March - Newcastle Away 12.15 Sunday 16 March - Whitley Bay Home 19.15 Sunday 23 March - Sheffield Home 19.15 Sunday 30 March - Newcastle Home 19.15 Sunday 06 April - Sheffield Away 14.15
We will be running coaches to both Whitley Bay & Newcastle, and Sheffield we'll be going by car.
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Shorty
Paul Adey
Still here for Private Messages
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Post by Shorty on Feb 22, 2008 12:28:11 GMT
6th April 15.00 - Elite League Playoff Final at Nottingham
Just wondered who would have first call on the Lions players IF Panthers get to the final?
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Pucky
Pat Casey
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Post by Pucky on Feb 22, 2008 12:44:38 GMT
6th April 15.00 - Elite League Playoff Final at Nottingham Just wondered who would have first call on the Lions players IF Panthers get to the final? Presuming that the Leopards don't also have a game on that date, I would suspect that, as in all Lions' regular-season games that those players would ice for the Lions. There is also an option for the two coaches to agree who would play for the Panthers if necessary. Don't forget these players are Under-18's players who happen to ice for 2 other teams, and that the Leopards will always come first!
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Post by quoththeraven on Feb 22, 2008 21:01:36 GMT
No more coach trips for me then, at least til the ENIHL Championship or Coventry, what with Whitley away being the day before and Newcastle home being the day after our trip to Italy. I have asked, I'm not allowed to go. Good news is that I am cleared to be at the home game on the 16th, where I'm really needed .
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Post by Green Giant on Feb 24, 2008 20:36:28 GMT
League Champion Lions are looking to finish their regular season undefeated at home. At the end of the 1st they were leading fellow playoff-qualifiers Sheffield 2-0. The goals were Corfield (from Idoine and Wood) and Colegate (from Robinson and T Griffiths).
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Post by Green Giant on Feb 24, 2008 20:44:34 GMT
At the end of the 2nd it's Lions 4-0 Sheffield. Tom Griffiths got both the goals in that period. The Lions have taken 15+15 shots in the first two periods and Sheffield have taken 8+19.
Sounds like a good game, I hope there's a decent crowd :-)
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Post by Green Giant on Feb 24, 2008 21:52:19 GMT
They did it! Lions won 5-1 (the final goal came from Lachowicz) to finish the regular season without being beaten at home. Well done Lions, bring on the playoffs!
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Adam
Chick Zamick
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Post by Adam on Feb 25, 2008 0:30:18 GMT
Great result!
What was the crowd size like?
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andyd
Ken Westman
THE logo!
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Post by andyd on Feb 25, 2008 0:36:01 GMT
Congratulations Lions! A wonderful season to this point!
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Pucky
Pat Casey
Posts: 250
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Post by Pucky on Feb 25, 2008 9:57:54 GMT
Great result! What was the crowd size like? The official attendance on the game sheet was 175, but I think there were slightly more than that watching. The gate money was VERY good! The party in the pub afterwards was great with most of the players staying behind before moving on into the City to continue partying the night away. The trophy is safely back in it's box, but it needs cleaning before being displayed at the NIC (Hopefully!)
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Post by quoththeraven on Feb 25, 2008 12:30:45 GMT
A great game, a large crowd, a superb result and an amazing after-party.
To add to Green Giant's updates, Rich Griffiths was man of the match, and it was great to see Oscar Wightman back in a Lions jersey.
Despite all our celebrations last night, the season is only half over - the important bit is the playoffs and they start March 9th in Whitley. The only game we lost in the regular season was in Whitley, so hopefully we can make amends for that in the playoff group.
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Feb 25, 2008 12:51:05 GMT
A great game, a large crowd, a superb result and an amazing after-party. Have you recovered yet?
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Post by lukethomas on Feb 25, 2008 14:02:01 GMT
A great game, a large crowd, a superb result and an amazing after-party. Have you recovered yet? I havent, after spending all of that £100 i took out with me and not getting in until 4am!
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Pucky
Pat Casey
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Post by Pucky on Feb 26, 2008 12:52:37 GMT
I havent, after spending all of that £100 i took out with me and not getting in until 4am! Thought you were OK on the ice last night, but I was sat in the nosebleed section!
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Post by lukethomas on Feb 26, 2008 15:59:15 GMT
Im supprised you couldnt smell me from up there, my kit is saturated with beer and champers. Its not nice when it started to mix with the sweat!
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