Nottingham Lions

[Shaggy]

A good solid win for the Lions tonight... ended up a 6-2 home victory over the Solihull Barons. Lots of good, hard work and some nice touches of class.

Next Sunday (after the Panthers game vs Fife) we'll be hosting Whitley Warriors. Whilst they, like the Lions, have lost a fair few veteran players and aren't quite the force they used to be... they're still no pushovers. But we tied with them last game (and up at Whitley - never an easy place to take points!) so anything's possible...

[Shaggy]

And it's a double-header this Sunday for Nottingham senior hockey...

The Nottingham Lions will be hosting the Whitley Warriors on Sunday after the Panthers game - so if you fancy doing a double, please feel free to stay behind for game 2.

Face-off is 7:15pm in the Olympic Rink.

Ticket prices are as follows:-
Adults – £5.00
Students (with NUS card) - £4.00
Children & OAP’s- £3.00
Panthers season ticket holders - £3.00
(Tickets available from the rear window of the box office from 7pm onwards)

Although Whitley have (like the Lions) lost some of last year's veteran players, they are still a dangerous side. This is going to be a tough test for the Lions, but we drew 3-3 with Whitley up at their place the last time to two sides met (and Whitley Bay is always a hard place to steal points!) and last week's emphatic 6-2 win over Solihull Barons should have given us a bit of a boost.

Please come along... the Lions need your support.

[Shaggy]

That was - eventually, anyway! - a close one...

This one finished 4-3 to Whitley... but that's far from the whole story.
Realistically speaking, Whitley are a stronger team than the Lions this season. Whitley may have lost a few players going back to the re-formed Billingham team, but the Lions have lost a lot of veteran players (keeping only a small core) and have been plagued with injuries right from the start of the season (I think we have 3 out injured at the moment? Could be 4...). So this game was always going to be tough...

But the Lions got the first strike... and the SOG at the end of the first were even at 12 each. Then Whitley turned it up a few notches in the second, went 3-1 up and outshot us 28-10. Ouch.
Even more ouch... they went 4-1 up in the third... and then the fight-back truly began. A Lions goal to make it 4-2, and the momentum started to swing a little more back to us... pulled Griff from goal and with about 40 seconds or so to go, the Lions made it 4-3. If only we'd had another 2-3 minutes... you know how you can sense the momentum shifting in a game? That had happened, just a little to late to equalise.

A one-goal loss against one of the stronger teams... it could be a lot worse. Due to players leaving, new systems with a new coach, and a terrible rack of injuries... it's not been a good start to the season for the Lions. But a confidence-boosting bashing of Solihull last weekend and a good fight-back against Whitley last night... the signs are there that we could be back on the up again.

Next Sunday we host top-of-the-table Billingham Stars. That could be interesting...

[Shaggy]

Oh, and just to add... a HUGE thank-you to Ian and Mick who stepped in at the last minute to help out the off-ice crew... the team aren't the only ones suffering from injury & illness right now!

Much appreciated... thank-you!

[Nottingham Lions]

Lions TV – It’s Here!!

The Nottingham Lions brand new and official, online TV channel is now live on the World Wide Web.

We hope to bring you up-to-date interviews, news, highlights and features covering all aspects of the Lions organisation as well as interviews and opinion from opposing team coaches and players.

Log onto the Lions website: www.nottinghamlionsenl.com

[Shaggy]

The Lions in the press...
www.gazettelive.co.uk/north-east-sport/sport-news/ice-hockey-news/2011/11/12/billingham-stars-issue-warning-to-nottingham-lions-84229-29763676/

[Shaggy]

It's been a good day for Nottingham hockey vs Sheffield... the Lions win 4-6 away against Sheffield Spartans. Apparently we hammered them 4-0 in the 3rd period?

Here's hoping we can carry this momentum over to the home game tomorrow vs Billingham (who are at the top of the league)... it's going to be a tough one!

[Nottingham Lions]

Lions conquer shell-shocked Spartans

Sheffield Spartans 4 Nottingham Lions 6

The Lions travelled to Ice Sheffield knowing they were in for a tough local derby game. Sheffield had not lost since the beginning of October giving them a five-game streak with four wins and one draw.

An entertaining game saw the Lions claw back two-goal deficits twice, before an outstanding third period saw them score four times and shut-out their opponents.

However, the Lions didn’t get off to the best of starts finding themselves two goals down in less than 6 minutes. Will Barron arrived first onto a rebound from Richard Griffiths’ initial save to grab the home sides’ first (03.06) then a lovely individual effort from Jon Woolhouse put the Spartans two up (05.44).

The visitors rode their luck a little over the following five minutes – the home side thought they had found the net for a third time only for the eagle-eyed official to wipe-out the goal, correctly spotting that the net was off its moorings before the puck crossed the line. The crossbar also prevented another chance for a Spartans third seconds later.

As the clock ticked down the Lions gradually picked up their game and eventually found their way past Spartans netminder Mark Harley courtesy of Gareth O’Flaherty after some good work down the left from Chris Colegate and then Joe Wightman (15.34).

The Lions then tied the game in the dying seconds of the first with a 5-on-3 powerplay goal from Joe Wightman (19.13).

Four minutes into the second period Sheffield were back in front after some hard-work to keep the puck in the offensive zone, it fell kindly to Shaun Wild who slotted home (24.19).

Both sides continued to have their chances before Nathan Britton got on the end of some smart passing to grab the hosts fourth (32.11).

After Britton’s goal the Lions bench felt a change of netminder was required and on came young Sam Gospel who went on to make a number of fine stops which went on to earn him the man of the match award.

A sparkling third period for the Lions began just a few seconds in, after Colegate snatched the puck off an opponent in the neutral zone and after peppering Hartley with a couple of shots Mark Corfield finally found a way to goal (40.53).

Nottingham’s second game-tying goal came as Marcus Maynard powered up the ice and put up a lovely pass for Ben Wood to grab the Lions’ fourth (53.04).

By now the momentum had most-definitely swung Nottingham’s way and two more goals were to follow – firstly a brilliant Ciaran Quinn shot from the blue line put the visitors in front for the first time (53.48) before Danny Rose sealed the win with a powerplay goal (58.55). Sheffield thought they’d got back into the game with seconds remaining but once again they had a goal waved off, this time for high sticks and the Lions hung-on to claim the victory which takes them out of the division’s relegation places.

A beaming Head Coach – Matt Bradbury joked after the game saying “The boys are absolutely delighted and the coaching staff are mentally drained – But it was an absolutely phenomenal night – these guys never give up, they worked their socks off and we just hope that tonight turns our season around”.

Matt also had many words of praise for all his players right across the squad, adding “the young goalie Gospel was outstanding – he gave us big confidence tonight – Dan Hazeldine covered a lot of ice and worked really hard tonight as did Ryan Rathbone”.

The Lions now turn their attention to table-topping Billingham Stars who come to the National Ice Centre tomorrow evening (Sunday 13th) in what promises to be a corker. Face-Off is at 7.15pm.

SO DON’T MISS OUT – COME ALONG AND WATCH THE LIONS’ ROAR!!!

Matchday Ticket Prices:
Adults – £5.00
Children (under 16) & OAP’s – £3.00
Students (with NUS card) – £4.00
Panthers Season Ticket Holders
(Must Show Panthers Season Ticket) – £3.00

All tickets are available on match nights only, from the Box Office.
Box office opens at 7:00pm.

Stats:- Gareth O’Flaherty 1+0, Joe Wightman 1+3, Mark Corfield 1+0, Ciaran Quinn 1+1, Ben Wood 1+0, Danny Rose 1+1, Chris Colegate 0+5, Nick Whyatt 0+1, Marcus Maynard 0+1.

1st 2-2, 2nd 2-0, 3rd 0-4.

Man of the Match: Sam Gospel.

[Shaggy]

The Lions worked hard tonight, but carrying several injuries and playing against a Billingham team that hasn't lost a game yet... it was always going to be a tough ask (especially since we played yesterday and they didn't).
Final score Nottingham Lions 1 : 7 Billingham Stars.

The scoreline is a bit misleading... the combination of a hot goalie (for them) and some sheer bad luck (for us) cost us probably 2 or 3 more goals... especially since we out-shot them (in the first 2 periods at least).

You'll be able to get a better report on the new Lions TV page:-
www.youtube.com/nottinghamlionstv
(reports from this weekend will probably be up in the next day or two)

Just away games for the next 2 weekends... the next home game is on Sunday 4th December... against Billingham again! Payback time?

[Nottingham Lions]

Lions Pair To Make The Cut
Tomorrow night (Thursday 17th) at the NIC, Lions winger Reece Glossop and centre-man Joe Wightman may feel a bit of an extra chill out on the ice as they prepare to lose their flowing locks all in the name of Children In Need.

The pair will be out in the middle of the ice having their heads shaved by a selection of the Lions junior players and are preparing themselves for more than your average short-back and sides whilst hoping to raise lots of cash for the BBC Telethon in the process.

Lions GM Danny Harrison commented ” The guys have been extremely sporting to offer up their hair all for a good cause. We hope as many players, management, juniors, parents and supporters can make it down tomorrow evening and sponsor the guys - if they can’t make it in person, they can also donate online or via text.”

All the details on how to donate are on the BBC Children In Need website – If you wish to let us know how much you have donated so we get work out an accurate total figure raised – then please get in touch via our official Facebook page or our official Twitter page.

The National Ice Centre’s own Pip The Penguin will also be in attendance and fingers-crossed – a very special guest may also be making an appearance. All the fun begins right after public skating/before Lions training, tomorrow night at 9.30pm.

[Shaggy]

Well, they did it... and here's the proof:-
www.youtube.com/nottinghamlionstv
;D

[Shaggy]

Wahay, Jonny Bell is back!
nottinghamlionsenl.com/2011/11/bell-returns-to-the-pride/

[Shaggy]

Nov 25, 2011 0:04:20 GMT Shaggy said:

Wahay, Jonny Bell is back!
nottinghamlionsenl.com/2011/11/bell-returns-to-the-pride/

Interview now on LionsTV:-

[Shaggy]

Nottingham Lions away to Billingham Stars tonight.

Billingham in 1st place... Nottingham in 8th.
Billingham unbeaten all season... Nottingham having lost 10.
Billingham with a full bench, apparently... Nottingham having taken only 14 players up there (including netminders).

Foregone conclusion, yes?

Like hell...

Final score : Billingham Stars 2 - 3 Nottingham Lions
;D ;D ;D

Absolutely fantastic result for the Lions... that's one long coach ride back, but it'll be a good one!

And guess what? Next Lions home game is next Sunday, after the Panthers game vs Dundee. And guess who it's against? Billingham Stars. They're going to want payback...

[Shaggy]

Sunday is double-header day again... the Lions are playing after the Panthers game again. And it's likely to be a cracker of a game - because we're hosting the league-leading Billingham Stars, who are surely going to be out for revenge after we went up with a very short bench to their pad and beat them 3-2... Billingham's first loss of the season!

They're going to want payback, we're going to want to keep the momentum going. Seconds out, round 2! ;D

Face-off is 7:15pm in the Olympic Rink.

Ticket prices are as follows:-
Adults – £5.00
Students (with NUS card) - £4.00
Children & OAP’s- £3.00
Panthers season ticket holders - £3.00
(Tickets available from the rear window of the box office just before the game)

All welcome...

[SmilerFanGirl]

my flat mate's gonna love this!!!! I'm THERE! hahahaha.....see ya later! ;D ;D ;D

[Shaggy]

And the Lions won last night, away to the Telthug Telford Titans... scoreline 3-2 to our lads.

Nice one... ;D

[Shaggy]

Oops, I forgot to post the result...

Sadly, Billingham got their revenge... a 7-1 drubbing (although we kept it close for a good long portion of the game). Being without captain and high scorer Chris Colegate didn't help our cause one bit (injured by a cross-check in Telford on Saturday).

Next Lions game is next Sunday, away to Whitley Warriors...a tough test, but not insurmountable.
And then the next home game is Sunday 18th, hosting basement bandits Solihull Barons. Could be high-scoring, could be a bit niggly...

[Shaggy]

Crucial game for the Lions this Sunday... Solihull Barons are the visitors, and are one of the two teams below the Lions (and in the regulation zone). Two points for Nottingham are a must here, but we're up against it - a whole load of injuries, including to captain & leading scorer Chris Colegate (thanks to the Telthug Titans!), mean it's going to be tough. The lads are going to have to dig deep...

And no Panthers game on Sunday, home or away. Get your hockey fix here!

Face-off is 7:15pm in the Olympic Rink.

Ticket prices are as follows:-
Adults – £5.00
Students (with NUS card) - £4.00
Children & OAP’s- £3.00
Panthers season ticket holders - £3.00
(Tickets available from the rear window of the box office just before the game)

[Shaggy]

Final score...

Nottingham Lions 6 : 2 Solihull Barons

A well-deserved and absolutely crucial win for the injury-ravaged Lions (and we had 2 more players who didn't see the end of the match!). Thankfully the lads now have a 3-week break (first time they'll have had a free weekend since the season started - unusial in this league!) so we may have the ranks replenished a bit when we get back.

MoM tonight was #12 Danny Rose, who iced for the Panthers recently.

[Shaggy]

Sunday could be a bit of a bruising day all round... what with the Braehead Clan coming down here (and I'm sure there'll be some frustrations taken out - on both sides?) and then the Lions hosting none other than the dirtiest team in the ENL North... the Telford Titans, aka 'Telthug'. This could get nasty...

But it's right after the Panthers game, so if anyone wants to get a double dose of Nottingham hockey - please stick around!

Face-off is 7:15pm in the Olympic Rink.

Ticket prices are as follows:-
Adults – £5.00
Students (with NUS card) - £4.00
Children & OAP’s- £3.00
Panthers season ticket holders - £3.00
(Tickets available from the rear window of the box office just before the game)

[Shaggy]

Well, who'd a thunk it? Telthug have actually learned how to play hockey as well as goon it up! Well, they've scored 28 goals in their last 3 games... so something seems to have changed down there.

Unfortunately Telford were too strong for an injury-ravaged Lions side, and we lost 6-3 (the last one being an empty-netter)... but at times the Lions really pushed Telford hard - it was only in the last few minutes that they pulled away for good.

Tough away weekend... Coventry ENL Blaze (who are in the relegation zone just below us, so we REALLY need to win this one!) on Saturday, then away to Blackburn on Sunday.
Next home game is Sunday 29th, hosting the ever-troublesome Whitley Warriors.

[Shaggy]

Oops... forgot to put this one here!

The Lions are hosting Whitley Warriors this Sunday... there's normally a bit of a spark in the games between these two teams, and it was a close one the last time they visited (a one-goal loss) so should hopefully be an entertaining match-up.

Face-off is 7:15pm in the Olympic Rink.

Ticket prices are as follows:-
Adults – £5.00
Students (with NUS card) - £4.00
Children & OAP’s- £3.00
[color=Red]Panthers season ticket holders - £3.00[/color]
(Tickets available from the rear window of the box office just before the game)

[Shaggy]

Just got off the phone with the Lions manager... and as a nice change, the Lions will be playing in the main arena tonight. Same face-off time, just on the main pad not the second.

Hope to see people there...

[humbucker]

The injuries appear to be mounting for the Lions as Dan Rose, Lions and Panthers, now has at least a 2 week lay off due to a big hit at the game against Coventry by ex NHL Draft player for the Chicago Blackhawks, now 44yrs old, Ian Pound. He was assessed by Panthers physio and it was felt that due to a possible concussion that he should be rested by both teams. This obviously does not help the Lions cause in attempting to avoid the drop in their relegation battle. Dan's brother Michael was injured in what was termed a real 'hit fest' up in Blackburn with Mike ending up with a hairline fracture of the collar bone. Captain and big scorer Chris Colegate remains sidelined as well. The shortfall on the playing side has opened up great opportunities for junior players as they are called upon to fill the gaps and we are talking 16 yr old's slotting in to shore up the team. The Lions are not in a position to attract other players so the players of the future at this club are eager to step up to the plate against teams with more depth of experience and players who have been around the hockey circuit for many years. I'm afraid it's boys against men and there is absolutely no protection for these young players when they take to the ice against some real heavyweights who know how to intimidate and hit. Ian Pound showed that when he laid a big hit on Dan Rose. When you look at the league position it is not too encouraging but this does not mean that the Lions are the worst team in the league because they have run some of the top teams very close and beaten the league leaders on their home ice, no mean feat that! The Lions now lack depth due to the loss of players last season and the number of injuries to key players this. They have no resources financially speaking and have to rely on mainly home town players who pay to play. The players from the Nottingham Junior Ice Hockey Club that are drafted into the Panthers learn their hockey via a team of dedicated coaches and a multiplicity of other people who do what they do voluntarily and it is a shame that this is sometimes not recognised. The Panthers do not develop young players they are a finishing school for a group of players for whom 1000s of hours have been spent by coaches etc pre their selection to train with the Panthers. Let us have some credit where it is due please! Many years ago (1980s) I remember Jimmy Keyes, Terry Kurtenbach, Paul Adey, Alex Dampier, Jamie Crapper, Craig Melancon, and many others out there with the kids training and scouting for potential players. I believe you might ask Ian Pound if he could have held off on the hit he made on Dan Rose, it was legal, but I think he may have said that you put the players out there and why should he hold back as that is the risk that all players take in a contact sport. I hope the young and not so young, sorry Chris, recover from their injuries and are soon out there playing the game they obviously love.