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Post by Nottingham Lions on Oct 5, 2009 10:46:46 GMT
2nd leg (home) of the double-header weekend vs Trafford Metros:- Nottingham Lions 7 - 3 Trafford Metros Well, this game had a bit of everything really... Chris McEwen opened the scoring for Nottingham, then Trafford equalised... then we made it 2-1 and then they equalised (am I sensing a pattern here?  )... we got to 3-2 and it seemed like it was going to stay that way... until the 3rd period when the Lions finally kicked up into another gear (I think they were off their feed or something for the first 2 periods) and started to dominate... Trafford started to lose the plot (4 men in the sin-bin at one point!) and that only made it easier. Metros had players missing due to illness (5 I believe) - they were missing their #1 goalie and captain, and were running with a short bench. Tiredness played a part I think, the two games over the weekend were quite intense affairs. I think that had the Lions PP been functioning to it's potential then the score *could* have been higher. Again, we didn't play well yesterday, and all-in-all these were 2 bad games - but we still got the points! Blaine Evans was the ref, and he was taking no prisoners. Tom Parker for the Lions wasn't wearing his visor properly so got a 10 minute penalty for that... expressed his displeasure and it was an early shower for Tom! And right near the end, Trafford's #44 was a naughty little boy and got a 2min Slashing, Match for Fighting, and a 5+Game for (and I quote!) "Resisting A Linesman In The Course Of His Duties"!! Never heard that one before - but if any ref is going to know the obscure ones, it's Evans... Parker got 87 mins in penalties for that incident - 2x10 mins, 2xGame misconducts (one added after the game) and a Match. Tom questioned a lack of call and then Mr Evans called Tom for illegal Equipment - which this season is a 10 min penalty - and then Tom kinda lost it. I'm not sure what caused the 'fight' at the end - think the Metros were tired and frustrated. I was near the bench at the time and Weldon skated off expecting to be thrown out - he was told by Martyn to go and sit in the bin and wait for the call - which didn't come - Mr Evans got this one spot on - Weldon didn't do anything to deserve getting a penalty. The 'Resisting a linesman' call was becuase the player kept trying to get at Will while being restrained by the officials. Chris Colegate got MoM for a good all-round performance and a couple of goals - at least one of which was short-handed. The light did actually go on for an 8th Lions goal, but I gather Evans waved it off for being kicked in. I'm told that was a fair call (didn't see it myself) - oh well... Apparently it was disallowed because of an icing call... Despite it not being icing, and not being called!!  A bit of a laugh was raised when I had the wotzits frightened out of me as I was peacefully doing the receipts at the Lions desk during the game, and WHAM! the puck comes over and does a Barnes Wallace on the desk right in front of me!  ;D Yes that made me jump too! Oh, and Comedy Moment Of The Match... the Lions trooping out to the ice for the start of the 2nd period, and Alan Levers & Nick Whyatt at the head of the queue deciding to have a belching contest as they passed the Lions desk... "We are the Lions - hear us roar! UUUURRRRRPPPPP!!!!" ;D (I suppose you had to be there...  ) Still and all... a 4-point weekend, can't really ask for more than that, can you? Indeed - despite of it being a below-par performance both nights it was good to get the 4 points. |
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Post by quoththeraven on Oct 6, 2009 12:04:36 GMT
Awesome sounds like I've missed lots of fun so far this season - I've had a good reason though (the very best, in fact ). Will be at my first game of the season for the Sheffield home game on Sunday and I'm really looking forward to it. |
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Pucky
Pat Casey
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Post by Pucky on Oct 7, 2009 15:59:35 GMT
Will the new Mrs quoththeraven be joining you too?
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Post by quoththeraven on Oct 8, 2009 11:28:29 GMT
with a bit of luck, yes she will ;D
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Shaggy
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Post by Shaggy on Oct 10, 2009 14:43:13 GMT
For those not making the trip to Coventry tomorrow, the Lions are at home again - this time hosting Sheffield Spartans.
This one is going to be a bit of a grudge match. Not only is it Nottingham vs Sheffield, but the Spartans pipped the Lions to the league title last season - on goal difference! That's how close it was, and you can bet that the Lions are going to want to make sure they have a clear advantage this time over our slightly northern neighbours.
Olympic Rink
Face-offs 7:20pm
Adults £5
Students (with NUS card) £4
Kids £3
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Oct 10, 2009 16:54:08 GMT
End 1st.
Kingston Jets 0, Nottingham Lions 3.
Lions goals from Ben Bliss, Tom Norton (PP) and Joe Wightman.
Lions missing Tom Parker (suspended) & Alan Levers (working). Richard Griffiths starting for Lions.
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Oct 10, 2009 17:47:08 GMT
End 2nd, Jets 1 Lions 6.
Goals from Colegate (PP), Norton & Soar (pp).
Jets have had 2 thrown out, 1 for 2x 10m and 1 5+Game for Slashing.
Game looked like it might get heated but has calmed down. Lions' Wightman & Maynard got 10s each.
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Oct 10, 2009 18:37:07 GMT
Final Jets 1 - Lions 10.
Goals from Ferrara, Robinson, Maynard and Norton (hat-trick goal).
Matt Greaves for Lions gets another 10!
Lions change goalies at 53:00, Brandon Stones plays for the first time and makes some excellent saves. Jets change Rodgers for Holmes with about 9 left. SOG to follow.
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Post by quoththeraven on Oct 11, 2009 9:40:01 GMT
For those not making the trip to Coventry tomorrow, the Lions are at home again - this time hosting Sheffield Spartans. This one is going to be a bit of a grudge match. Not only is it Nottingham vs Sheffield, but the Spartans pipped the Lions to the league title last season - on goal difference! That's how close it was, and you can bet that the Lions are going to want to make sure they have a clear advantage this time over our slightly northern neighbours. On the other hand, of course, Sheffield may want some revenge for the way the Lions came back from three goals down in the playoff semi final at Coventry to win in OT? Or maybe for when we won the league ourselves the season before, we clinched it in a game over Sheffield? Either way, if you had to pick a top three Lions games of the season for just about every season in ENIHL, there is always a Lions v Sheffield game in there. These are always close but sometimes a little crazy too. Looking forward to it tonight. As for the Kingston game last night, not surprised it got a bit heated as they've never particularly liked us for some reason. I wouldn't call them a bunch of goons as some of them can actually play a bit, but they are one of the more chippy teams in the league and always take a lot of minor penalties. |
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Post by supermac on Oct 11, 2009 17:02:33 GMT
It's a very different Spartans team that will be facing you this evening, having lost Haywood,Squires,Bowns,Bell and Strawson to the Scimitars.
What we have seen this season is a real fighting spirit from the team, which has seen them produce the right result against everyone but Whitley (Two 3-2 defeats to them).
Should be a good game and probably a tight one.
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Post by supermac on Oct 11, 2009 21:19:40 GMT
Good 2-0 win for you guys, which my source tells me was well deserved.
We were short 4 players tonight and lost another to injury and it seems as if our netminder kept us in it.
We don't have the game breakers that we had last year, but at least we never give in.
Good luck for the rest of the season, one of us needs to stop Whitley running away with it!!
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Shaggy
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Post by Shaggy on Oct 11, 2009 22:27:22 GMT
The Spartans' offence did certainly seem to be somewhat lacking - only 13 shots on target for the full game, I believe - but that's not the whole story. There was a lot of work done by both sides before anyone had chance to let off a shot... by and large, the Spartans had more trouble getting past the Lions, but it wasn't all one-sided.
Personally, I'm somewhat relieved that - despite the Lions also losing several key players (Lacho, Sam Bullas, Neily and Joe Graham) - we're still a potent enough force. Partly due to some new blood coming up (Tom Soar, Josh Ward, tonight's MoM Will Wheldon, etc) and partly due to the veteran core players like Chris Colegate, Joe Wightman, Marcus Maynard etc.
The Lions truly are a development side... the plan is working. ;D
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Post by quoththeraven on Oct 12, 2009 11:26:00 GMT
Not a great game but certainly a good win.
Sheffield's lack of shots is partly down to them not seeming particularly up for the game, but more down to (finally!) a well-organised Lions defence. So many chances were broken up or shooters forced into bad shots by good positioning and brave play (notably Stewart Bliss in the third with that full length slide to block a shot). Even so, Levers had some good saves to make on the rare occasions Sheffield did get a chance.
Certainly this is a more aggressive Lions team than I've seen in the past, but also they seem to be gelled much more quickly than last year. Shaggy mentioned the presence of veterans like Colegate and Wightman, but in addition to new players in the team there are some players who are returning to Nottingham having been on loan at other teams for a few seasons, like Whyatt and McEwen. Their experience and familiarity with the more familiar faces in the Lions lineup I'd imagine has been a factor so far too.
Also, has there been a better looking goal for the Lions this year than Wightman's wraparound?
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Post by spik on Oct 15, 2009 18:17:39 GMT
Whens the next set of Lions games.Someone wants me to take them it one....Mick
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Post by carolle on Oct 16, 2009 23:37:43 GMT
The next home game is 25th October (7-30pm), so you may get a couple of periods after the Panthers game(5-00pm)
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Post by spik on Oct 17, 2009 12:33:31 GMT
Thankyou for that Carolle...tried a website but it's out of date by a year?
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Shaggy
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Post by Shaggy on Oct 17, 2009 12:53:22 GMT
Thankyou for that Carolle...tried a website but it's out of date by a year? I believe that the Lions website is due for a complete overhaul... if I get any hard information, I'll post it on here. The remaining Lions home games before Xmas are:- Sunday 25th October vs Whitley Warriors (Panthers at home vs Cardiff)Sunday 15th November vs Coventry ENL Blaze (Panthers away to Cardiff)Sunday 29th November vs Trafford Metros (Panthers away to Edinburgh)Sunday 6th December vs Telford Titans (Panthers away to Coventry)Sunday 20th December vs Kingston Jets (Panthers away to Hull)Hope that helps... |
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Oct 18, 2009 18:55:55 GMT
Thankyou for that Carolle...tried a website but it's out of date by a year? We have someone that is currently designing a new website for us. It's almost ready to go. We just have to sort out buying new webspace and moving the domain name over. Once this is done then we'll be able to "relaunch" the website. It's difficult to keep on top of updating the old one, but the new one should be much easier to do. |
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Post by Shaggy on Oct 24, 2009 10:24:32 GMT
It's going to be a busy day tomorrow... the Lions will be icing in the Olympic Rink Sunday evening, right after the Panthers game (although there may be some overlap... depending on how many penalties the Panthers & Devils take!).
And it's a big one for the Lions - hosting Whitley Warriors for the second time this season. Whitley just edged the first one 3-2, but the Lions were missing some players then. It will hopefully be a different story on Sunday - the Lions bench has a lot less in the way of gaps this time.
Games against Whitley are never dull - and this is a top-of-the-table clash, as usual with these two teams. Come and have a look...
Olympic Rink
Face-offs 7:30pm
Adults £5
Students (with NUS card) £4
Kids £3
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Oct 24, 2009 14:35:23 GMT
As an update on the website - the hosting was paid for and the new domain name bought. We'll be able to upload stuff within the next 24/48 hours providing all is OK.
Also tomorrow the Lions should be able to welcome some new names to the lineup..
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Post by loveday on Oct 24, 2009 17:27:46 GMT
Thankyou for that Carolle...tried a website but it's out of date by a year? I believe that the Lions website is due for a complete overhaul... if I get any hard information, I'll post it on here. The remaining Lions home games before Xmas are:- Sunday 25th October vs Whitley Warriors (Panthers at home vs Cardiff)Sunday 15th November vs Coventry ENL Blaze (Panthers away to Cardiff)Sunday 29th November vs Trafford Metros (Panthers away to Edinburgh)Sunday 6th December vs Telford Titans (Panthers away to Coventry)Sunday 20th December vs Kingston Jets (Panthers away to Hull)Hope that helps... ay to Edinburgh)[/i] This fixture was changed. Panthers now at home to Cardiff. Panther's still waiting for Edinburgh game to be re-arranged. |
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Post by Shaggy on Oct 26, 2009 8:16:04 GMT
An away loss and a home win for the Lions.... Away to Sheffield Spartans on Saturday - Josh Ward and Will Whedon got our two goals (tying it at 11 and then 2-2) but apparently two defensive howlers cost us the game - result 4-2 to Sheffield Last night hosting Whitley Bay was a bit of a strange one. The first period was dire for the Lions... they came out flat and got punished hard for it - going down 3-0 in the first period, starting netminder Richard Griffiths being replaced by Alan Levers. Taking a few too many penalties didn't help either. The second period was totally different - the Lions came out hard and scored almost immediately, half a minute into the period and a short-hander to boot! It seems that Whitley got a bit rattled facing what seemed like a new Lions team, as it was their turn to take lots of penalties, and they got punished for it with a couple of power-play strikes for the Lions. End of 2nd, 3-3. The third was just silly.Three more goals for the Lions, Whitley get one in there as well. The visitors seem to be having union meetings in their sin-bin and it's getting a bit tense out there. Then in the dying minutes there's a whole load of crazy. One Lions player gets a Match penalty for High Sticks, another one gets a 10 min Instigation penalty (I think that's what it was) and a Match penalty for 'obscene gestures'! (Said 'obscene gesture' was apparently just twirling his finger in the air over his head). The visitors got a single 2min penalty (don't know what for) and with them pulling the netminder we're defending a 5-on-3. And they get one back with just over a minute to go. Some heroics in defence and goal keep them out further, and the game ends 6-5 to the Lions. The ref was... well, farcical. Quite apart from the Match penalties, which seemed somewhat like an overreaction at best, he was all over the place - for both teams, I hasten to add. It's interesting to note that I was chatting with the Whitley fans in the first interval, and one of them said she thought the ref was having a good game (Whitley 3-0 up, remember). By the end of the game, she was hurling all kinds of abuse at him! Now I like the Whitley fans for the most part - they come down in large, noisy numbers.. but they are without a doubt the single most blinkered and tinted-spec wearers I have ever come across - bar none. And when the game itself is on and going against them - only the Kingston lot are more abusive. Pity, really... other than that, they're a great bunch. |
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Post by Nottingham Lions on Oct 26, 2009 10:28:59 GMT
Last night hosting Whitley Bay was a bit of a strange one. The first period was dire for the Lions... they came out flat and got punished hard for it - going down 3-0 in the first period, starting netminder Richard Griffiths being replaced by Alan Levers. Taking a few too many penalties didn't help either. Period penalty total was 14 for the Lions and 8 for Whitley. 2 of Whitley's 3 1st period goals were on the PP. The second period was totally different - the Lions came out hard and scored almost immediately, half a minute into the period and a short-hander to boot! It seems that Whitley got a bit rattled facing what seemed like a new Lions team, as it was their turn to take lots of penalties, and they got punished for it with a couple of power-play strikes for the Lions. End of 2nd, 3-3. Period penalty min total was 2-24. Lions scored 1x SH (after 29 seconds!) and 2xPPG in that period to tie the game. The third was just silly.Three more goals for the Lions, Whitley get one in there as well. The visitors seem to be having union meetings in their sin-bin and it's getting a bit tense out there. Then in the dying minutes there's a whole load of crazy. One Lions player gets a Match penalty for High Sticks, another one gets a 10 min Instigation penalty (I think that's what it was) and a Match penalty for 'obscene gestures'! (Said 'obscene gesture' was apparently just twirling his finger in the air over his head). The visitors got a single 2min penalty (don't know what for) and with them pulling the netminder we're defending a 5-on-3. And they get one back with just over a minute to go. Some heroics in defence and goal keep them out further, and the game ends 6-5 to the Lions. Lions Nick Whyatt got the 10+Match for incitement and obscene gestures, also Dan Taylor got a Match for High Sticks (which was the right call under the new rules due to the player being cut). Tom Norton also got a 10 min penalty for trying to clear the blood off the ice - players/refs are no longer allowed to do this which is why there was a delay in the game. Whitley's Brummitt got the minor for hooking. We were defending a 6 on 3 as Whitley pulled their goalie on the PP. The ref was... well, farcical. Quite apart from the Match penalties, which seemed somewhat like an overreaction at best, he was all over the place - for both teams, I hasten to add. It's interesting to note that I was chatting with the Whitley fans in the first interval, and one of them said she thought the ref was having a good game (Whitley 3-0 up, remember). By the end of the game, she was hurling all kinds of abuse at him! Now I like the Whitley fans for the most part - they come down in large, noisy numbers.. but they are without a doubt the single most blinkered and tinted-spec wearers I have ever come across - bar none. And when the game itself is on and going against them - only the Kingston lot are more abusive. Pity, really... other than that, they're a great bunch. I had a text from one of the Whitley fans after the game who did apologise for the language and abuse they were giving but you are right in saying some of Mr Hewitt's decisions were, erm, odd. The referee supervisor was there last night and he was having a long chat with Martyn after the game. Good to see Colm Cannon back on the ice again, and he got a goal on his debut! The points were spread around too with each goal going to a different scorer. If anyone wants to know the goals/pens etc as we were without an announcer last night then please email nottinghamlions@gmail.com and I can email a spreadsheet to you later tonight. |
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Post by quoththeraven on Oct 26, 2009 12:18:20 GMT
I also spoke to the referee supervisor briefly before the game, and he was surprised when I asked if he'd brought his skates - he didn't seem to think he'd need them. A couple of other things surprised me too. Firstly, that the Man of the Match prize was presented by a pre-teen who had been heard a couple of times using obscene language when walking past the Lions fans. Though, I suppose, it does make him a typical Warriors fan. Secondly, that the (old) Man of the Match for Whitley went to the man whose jersey was coated with teflon - despite everything he does, nothing sticks to Simon Leach. Apart from anything else, he makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable by making me agree with a point made by Gary Moran a few years ago about player-coaches flouting the rules about only captains and alternates approaching the referee. What rankled me on the night was that Leach was doing this after one of the goals, and stayed down in a futile attempt to stop play in the build up to one of the later goals. For the high sticks, if the rule is that blood drawn equals match penalty, then so be it. However a match penalty with an automatic ban implies a serious assault and a serious injury, but if the victim in this case (Leach again) was so badly hurt it merited a match penalty, then he shouldn't have been able to take the next shift, or be up with his gloves off going nose to nose with Whyatt. Whyatt gets 10 for incitement and Leach gets to play on the PP. Hmmm. Let's hope Hewitt never sees the Queen on a walkabout because if he thought Whyatt was being obscene (when really just waving with his hand up and glove on), he'll be mortified when he sees Her Majesty doing something in a similar vein. It was a shame Griff got yanked after the third goal - not his best performance against a team he usually plays well against but not all the goals were his fault. Levers was very good again and when the teams were even strength Whitley found it very difficult to get anything going. The shorthanded goal we scored 31 seconds into the second period was excellent and turned the game in our favour, and most of our goals were down to excellent positioning - either a forward in the right place at the right time to slot home a rebound or players creating traffic for the goalie. Well done lads. My real personal highlight, though, was when one of Robert Ferrara's friends turned to me and said "you look like you know a lot".  |
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Post by quoththeraven on Oct 26, 2009 12:20:29 GMT
Forgot to add, it was really disappointing that there were no announcements last night. While this is not entirely the fault of the Lions/Friends of the Lions, I do feel the need to ask if they have considered doing a deal with Ryanair so that Luke can fly back from Austria for our games at a discounted rate?
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)... we got to 3-2 and it seemed like it was going to stay that way... until the 3rd period when the Lions finally kicked up into another gear (I think they were off their feed or something for the first 2 periods) and started to dominate... Trafford started to lose the plot (4 men in the sin-bin at one point!) and that only made it easier.
;D
)
