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Post by humbucker on Sept 26, 2021 21:19:19 GMT
Tonight's Results
Billingham Stars 5 Sheffield Scimitars 3 Solihull Barons 3 Whitley Warriors 4 (Penalty Shots)
Nottingham Lions 6 Blackburn Hawks 10
Bit of an import fest as the Hawks Valusiak and Novak collect 6+3 between them and the Lions Yokoyama 4+0. The Lions did manage to take the second period and going into the third period 5-6 and in with a chance but the third went to the Hawks 1-4.
Period Scores: 2-4/3-2/1-4
Scorers: Zachary Yokoyama 4+0, Louie Newell 1+3, Ellis Ricci 1+1, Kieran Gibbs 0+2, Jack Crowston 0+1, Thomas Dermot 0+1. Back up netminder Matthew Lowden had an 8 minute introduction at senior level for the Lions taking 11 shots for 1 goal.
The unenviable task of a trip to Whitley Warriors next Sunday up against ex Panther Robert Farmer who impressed tonight at Solihull with 2 goals in their 3-4 win.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 2, 2021 19:22:32 GMT
NIHL 1 games this weekend:
Saturday 02.10.21
Solway Sharks v Whitley Warriors Sheffield Scimitars v Billingham Stars
Sunday 03.10.21
Billingham Stars v Widnes Wild Whitley Warriors v Nottingham Lions
The Lions head up to Hill Heads to face the Whitley Warriors with a 5.00pm face off. This is always an encounter that rattles the nerves of many teams that face the Warriors on their home ice and when the revamped Lions hit the ice they will definitely need to stay alert. The Warriors are an excellent team led by David Longstaff with his team bolstered hugely with the inclusion of ex GB and ex Panthers Robert Farmer, as if it isn't hard enough! This will certainly prove a massive challenge for the new guys from the junior system now with the Lions, but these are the games that help these guys along what will be a steep learning curve in their first season at senior level.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 2, 2021 22:08:48 GMT
Tonight's Results
Sheffield Scimitars 4 Billingham Stars 1 Solway Sharks 3 Whitley Warriors 2
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Post by humbucker on Oct 3, 2021 19:30:08 GMT
Tonight's Results: Billingham Stars 3 Widnes Wild 4
Whitley Warriors 9 Nottingham Lions 3
The Lions came through this game relatively unscathed apart from the not unexpected result with a 9-3 loss. Although games are innevitably going to be uphill battles, as in the past, the objective is to give the young guys plenty of ice time against experienced opposition and to aid their hockey development. Narrowing scorelines is yet another objective and the guys will learn over the season to adjust to senior hockey and will aim to achieve that goal. The decimation the squad suffered prior to this season has taken it's toll, and of that there is no doubt, but once again this is where the Lions will innevitably be in the future as well as players move through the squad and on to other clubs. Tonight's game started quite well going a goal down 10 min's into the game but the Lions held their own for the first period with a late goal to tie the period. Early in the second period the Warriors made it 2-1 but the Lions hit back tying it up once again. The Warriors scored 2 more before the Lions made it a 4-3 game but the Warriors hit back with 3 unanswered goals to end the second 7-3 to the good. The early part of the third went the Warriors way with 2 further goals but to their credit the Lions kept the Warriors quiet over the last 15 mins of the game. Final score 9-3. In the last 8 mins Matthew Bloor took over in the nets from Luca Sheldon and saw the game through without further goals against. The Lions were outshot 53 to 13 over the game. Robert Farmer did not score in this game.
Scorers: Louie Newell 1+1, Kieran Gibbs 1+1, Zachary Yokoyama 1+0, James Shaw 0+1, Alexander Cleves 0+1, Jordan Wright 0+1, Jacob Race 0+1
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Post by humbucker on Oct 4, 2021 10:23:31 GMT
Had chance to catch up with Matt Bradbury after the Lions fourth game of the new season in an attempt to glean as much as I could as to how he and Paul Glossop feel this revamped team is performing. Matt and Paul are still in the process of intigrating the newer guys into the team and assessing strengths and weaknesses in order to ice a squad capable of competing at NIHL 1 level. Each season as long as Matt can remember the Lions rebuild is an annual conundrum that requires a lot of hours to ensure that he and Glos can produce a team able to eventually hold their own in a tough league. Working with newer players, many still junior club players, in order for them to make the necessary adjustments to a faster and more physical game is a major task in itself but many of the youngsters relish the challenge and that is music to the ears of the coaching team, and makes their task somewhat easier. It is never easy with a major reshaping of the Lions team but this season has proved particularly daunting due to the loss of some talented youngsters and some more senior players to other teams. Matt and Glos are pleased with the team's progress and Matt did say that whilst up in Whitley Bay he spoke with David Longstaff Head Coach of the Warriors for his assessment of the team. David felt that for forty minutes of the game the Warriors were struggling to deal with the Lions and that he felt potentially they could be one of the best Lions team as they progress and take on board what the coaches require of them in the games. The Lions in the Whitley Warriors game went with a short bench and with a couple of notable more experienced players unavailable and in the first period lost a player with a match penalty. That decision was felt to be harsh but according to the officials obviously justified. A daunting experience for 16 yr old Matthew Bloor who took over in the nets for the final 8 minutes but he appeared to cope quite well facing 5 shots without conceding a goal. Good defensive work as the team kept the Warriors fairly quiet in both the first and third periods. A lot of positives from this game, and others, but a long way to go and possibly a few hiccups along the way but hopefully they will come through the season having learned a number of valuable ice hockey lessons that will prepare them for many future seasons in Nottingham?
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Post by humbucker on Oct 9, 2021 21:50:50 GMT
NIHL 1 Games this weekend
Saturday 09.10.10 Solway Sharks v Widnes Wild
Sunday 10.10.21 Solihull Barons v Solway Sharks
Nottingham Lions v Whitley Warriors (face off 5.00pm)
The Lions will be looking to narrow the scoreline following their 9-3 loss on the Warriors ice last Sunday. Realistically the Lions are having to come to terms with having lost a great deal of the depth within the squad during the off season. The infusion of new blood from the Nottingham juniors are beginning to settle in but it may be sometime before we see more settled lines as the coaches continue to work, I feel sure, on a number of computations to create a squad capable of putting a few points on the NIHL 1 Conference table.
Tonight's results Solway Sharks 5 Widnes Wild 1
Widnes managed to get their 1 goal in the last 5 minutes of this game to ruin the Sharks netminder's chance of a shut out.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 10, 2021 20:44:39 GMT
Tonight's Results
Solihull Barons 6 Solway Sharks 3
Nottingham Lions 1 Whitley Warriors 10
A second period disaster struck the Lions tonight conceding 6 goals in this period having battled out the first and scoring first before losing out 1-3 by the end of period. At the end of the second netminder Luca Sheldon was taken out of the firing line giving back up Matthew Lowden the last 20 mins. Matthew faced 15 shots giving up just the single goal. Not a great deal to say but the first and third periods are the standard that has to be built upon to achieve an acceptable standard, losses will occur but it is how the losses occur that has to be worked on to tighten up the defensive elements of the game. Admitted not many games will be won with only one goal scored but the Lions have shown that they can indeed score a few goals, but unfortunately not tonight. Goal scorer: Louie Newell with the assist from Thomas Dermott.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 16, 2021 9:30:57 GMT
NIHL 1 Games this weekend:
Saturday 16.10.21 Blackburn Hawks v Billingham Stars
Sunday 17.10.21 Billingham Stars v Solihull Barons
Nottingham Lions v Sheffield Scimitars (Face off: 7.00pm)
When perusing the line up that the Scimitars had assembled for the 21/22 season it was obvious that a few quid had been spent. Their squad certainly loaded with talent recruited from a number of teams with a number of ex Lions moving up the M1 prior to this season adding to a number of players that had come through the Nottingham ranks over previous seasons. They looked to be presenting as very hungry for success and as an ambitious set up, to my mind anyway, they became one of my front runners for honours this season. The Scimitars started well but in their Moralee Cup games they have experienced some losses and Conference wise sit mid table having won one of their three outings but their losses have been in games with knife edge results that could have gone either way on the night. Yet another big challenge for the Lions and a Scimitars team that will be aiming to get back on track and eager to achieve a high scoring win here in Nottingham on Sunday. Defensive frailties will certainly be exploited to the full and of that there is no doubt therefore the Lions will have to be definitely up to speed to meet this formidable challenge. The Lions have to dig in for the hard haul this season offers but as the team settles there is certainty that the guys will begin to adjust to the game at NIHL 1 level, as they have in the past.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 16, 2021 22:47:15 GMT
Tonight’s result: Blackburn Hawks 10 Billingham Stars 7
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Post by humbucker on Oct 17, 2021 21:49:46 GMT
Tonight's results:
Billingham Stars 5 Solihull Barons 1
Nottingham Lions 4 Sheffield Scimitars 7
The Lions held out well against a Scimitars team hungry for substantial scoreline against a team in the early days of adjustment to NIHL 1. The first period saw the Lions in the ascendancy as the Scimitars had to chase the game ending the period with a 2-2 scoreline. The Scimitars began to realise that the Lions were not going to roll over and late into the second period tied the game until with less than two mins in they period scored the go ahead goal. End of he second 4-5. The third period two further goals from the Scimitars sealed the win. I noted that 4+2 0n the scoresheet for the Scimitars came from ex Nottingham Lions players. Overall a loss, yes but a better performance from the Lions with hopefully a great deal more to come as they gain experience.
Scorers: James Daffid Shaw 1+1, Ellis Ricci 1+1, Louie Andrew Newell 1+0, Zachary Yokoyama 1+0, Jake Fisher 0+1.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 23, 2021 9:38:53 GMT
NIHL 1 Games this weekend
Saturday 23.10.21
Sheffield Scimitars v Widnes Wild
Sunday 24.10,21
Blackburn Hawks 1 v Whitley Warriors
Billingham Stars v Nottingham Lions
The long road trip to Billingham for the 5.30 pm face off against the Stars and always a difficult game to assess but for certain the home team have the advantage with the smaller ice pad and good old warmish north east reception from the local fans. A tough place to grab a few points as Solihull Barons found out last Sunday as they confidently turned up in Billingham having the week before beaten top of the league Solway Sharks quite convincingly whilst the Stars in their last home game had lost to Widnes Wild. They came unstuck as the Stars brought the Barons down to earth with a 5-1 home win. Yet another challenge for the young Lions contingent but another game that adds to their experience at this senior level
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Post by humbucker on Oct 23, 2021 18:12:48 GMT
Result from tonight’s game:
A real shock for Widnes Wild this evening as the Sheffield Scimitars hit 8 unanswered goals in a resounding win. The Wild outshot the Scimitars with netminder Hadfield turning aside the 45 shots on his net. Interesting to see ex Lions Vladimir Luka scoring 4 and Thomas Palmer adding another 2 goals. Been good to have kept these two but not to be sadly. Nice to see that they are doing well with their new team.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 23, 2021 18:13:27 GMT
Result from tonight’s game:
A real shock for Widnes Wild this evening as the Sheffield Scimitars hit 8 unanswered goals in a resounding win. The Wild outshot the Scimitars with netminder Hadfield turning aside the 45 shots on his net. Interesting to see ex Lions Vladimir Luka scoring 4 and Thomas Palmer adding another 2 goals. Been good to have kept these two but not to be sadly. Nice to see that they are doing well with their new team.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 23, 2021 18:16:22 GMT
There you are two for the price of one. In other words a mistake,
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Post by humbucker on Oct 24, 2021 20:51:56 GMT
Tonights Results:
Blackburn Hawks 6 Whitley Warriors 4
Billingham Sars 2 Nottingham Lions 1 (O/T)
The Nottingham Lions have a point following a truly epic performance from this predominantly youthful team. Billingham Stars may have expected a fairly comfortable game with an equally comfortable win but the night did not work out that way. With 7 mins on the clock James Daffid Shaw scored with assists from Ellis Ricci and Louie Newell with the Lions seeing out the first period and holding this slim lead. The second period saw the Lions holding the lead and pushing to double up on the scoreline and the Stars trying their level best to get into the game. The Lions held on to their single goal lead heading into the third period. In the third at 46.52 the Stars import Patriks Grigors levelled the score and the pressure intensified but the Lions held out without conceding or adding to the scoreline. Tied game and a point but facing overtime. At 60.43 the tie was decided as the Stars grabbed the winning goal.
Matthew Bloor (netminder) completed his first full game for the Lions and put in a stellar performance deservedly voted MOM for the Lions. Matthew faced 38 sog with a save rate of 94.74%.
Overall this was a team performance that was, to be truthful, unexpected but the guys proved that they are definitely up to the job on their night, and tonight apart from the final score, the guys were certainly up for this one and proved this to themselves and others. It's where they go from here that really matters in the end. The Lions have broken their duck and there's that one point on the board to prove it, hopefully a few more to come.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 25, 2021 10:27:51 GMT
Caught up briefly with Matt Bradbury after the Billingham game on Sunday. As expected Matt was extremely pleased with the Lions performance and the first point at NIHL 1 level for a what seems like a very long time. He felt the team were unfortunate not to come away with the win having had a second Lions goal ruled out as a fierce shot from Zachary Yokoyama appeared to the bench anyway to have gone in and out but the ruling went against them. At the end of the game the home team celebrated their win with what the bench thought was a little over the top but then felt it was probably relief at not being the first NIHL 1 team to lose to the youngsters from Nottingham. The goal that tied the game for the Stars was unfortunate as 16yr old Matthew Bloor, in for his first full game, had it well covered but as Matt said it was one of those that you would see in a Disney type film whereby the puck just gently settles over the line and usually settles a game, but not in this case as O/T beckoned. Throughout the game Matt said Billingham really struggled to break down the Lions systems and in the the third period moved to more direct measures to impose their greater experience and seniority in this game on their younger counterparts, with success yes, but by heck didn't the Lions make them fight, sweat, and no doubt worry before gaining the narrowest of wins. The young Lions are learning and there will be nights when they struggle against the superior strength that comes with imported experience allied to better funding, eg wages, but these youngsters in the Lions play without earning a penny to represent the Nottingham Lions and are proud, I am sure, of all that they achieve as they develop within the sport.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 30, 2021 11:07:29 GMT
NIHL 1 Games this weekend:
Saturday 30.10.21
Solway Sharks v Solihull Barons Sheffield Scimitars v Whitley Warriors
Sunday 31.10.21
Whitley Warriors v Blackburn Hawks
Nottingham Lions v Billingham Stars (Face Off: 5.00pm)
Following on from last Sunday's meeting between these two and the O/T win by the Stars they will come to Nottingham tomorrow seeking to ensure that what occurred on their home ice is not repeated. The Stars will be looking to swat these irritating youngsters and will be out to dominate from the puck being dropped until the final hooter. Being the first team in NIHL 1 that came so close to losing against the Lions, and gaining their first point, will have hurt a few egos and that's for sure. Reading the Billingham Stars report on the game you do get the feeling that they inflicted all of the pressure with the Lions relatively lucky to hold the Stars onslaught in what was factually a very narrow victory with shots on goal 38 to 32 and a 2-1 win for the home team. The Stars were in fact a goal to nothing until the third period when they finally struck back.
Matthew Bloor in the nets had a great first full outing in this game with the 16yr old performing exceptionally well at a tough north east venue. Whether or not he gets the nod for the Sunday game with Luca Sheldon also available is a poser for the coaching team but one would think that giving the youngster another start would not go amiss with Luca available if needed. This could prove to be a very feisty affair with the Stars wanting to emphatically put the Lions in their place therefore we might expect a predominantly physical encounter.
Early face off at the end of half term so take the kids to watch what could turn out to be a very entertaining game between some of the old boys from Billingham against the mostly young developing players from Nottingham. A cheap night of ice hockey for the family awaits so give it a try.
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Post by humbucker on Oct 30, 2021 21:42:47 GMT
Tonight's Results:
Solway Sharks 4 Solihull Barons 3
Sheffield Scimitars 6 Whitley Warriors 7 (Decided on penalty shots)
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Post by humbucker on Oct 31, 2021 22:44:04 GMT
Tonight's Results:
Whitley Warriors 10 Blackburn Hawks 1
Nottingham Lions 1 Billingham Stars 5
The Lions fought a strong game outshooting the Stars but their goalie pulling off a solid performance to deny the home team the chance of a home victory. The Lions were awarded a couple of penalty shots in this game but could not make them count whereas the Stars when provided with their goal scoring opportunities managed to take the game. Looking at the Lions team iced tonight I noted that a number, at least 5, defenceman were not on the game sheet and a couple of youngsters drafted to try and fill the gap. Overall the Lions team performed very well and for the second time youngster Matthew Bloor was given a full game in goal and again showed that this 16yr old was not fazed by the altogether more experienced opponents that he faced.
During the third period the goalie was pulled on a couple of occasions for the extra skater and the Lions held out not conceding but also not able to add to the scoreline.
Period Scores: 1-2/0-1/0-2
Scorers: Zachary Yokoyama 1+0, Louie Newell 0+1
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Post by humbucker on Nov 3, 2021 17:31:26 GMT
I managed to catch up with Matt Bradbury for his assessment of the recent home loss to Billingham Stars. Matt said that his Lions were always going to battle and in most games this is almost certainly against the odds given the experience faced by his predominantly young team. Overall he remains pleased at his team's progress as they have made their opponents dig in to get the result and Sunday's game showed that by the fact that the Lions outshot the Stars but their goalie was on top form and made the difference in what was in the main a tight game. The Lions were missing a number of defenceman on the night and one of their more senior experienced forwards and that situation did not help but the guys that did ice played well and once again 16yr old Matthew Bloor had a solid game in the nets. Up to now I had not had the opportunity to ask Matt how he was balancing his ice hockey commitments, that are many besides coaching, with his Matt Bradbury Sports business. Matt has been in business for just over a year since his redundancy as Sports Development Officer at the NIC, so I asked the question. He said as an embryonic business commenced during the Covid 19 pandemic it has been hard going but that the business is heading, slowly, in the right direction, he feels. He is looking to expanding the sports coaching side of the business whilst seeking out other opportunities for future development. He told me that he had recently researched some of the developing technologies in skate sharpening which then led to him investing in a skate grinding machine imported from the United States. His description of this piece of kit sounded interesting and with the machine being portable helps out as regards his team on game/training nights and provides new opportunities for his business. Getting back to the Lions, I note that the long trip to Scotland to face the second placed Solway Sharks is on for this coming Saturday and that has to be a daunting experience for his team. He agreed that it is yet another tough game but every game in this semi pro league is tough especially against a very professional outfit and one led by Head Coach Martin Grubb who has been with the club since the 2000/1 season and having been player coach for a couple of seasons prior to taking over as Head Coach. Martin is also Head Coach of the GB under 20s team. Matt and Martin go back a long way meeting when they were both playing pee wee hockey at under 13s and off ice are still great friends who also have great respect for each other as coaches. A long trip but fortunately no game on Sunday so the Lions should get a lie in after the long journey home.
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Post by humbucker on Nov 5, 2021 17:30:41 GMT
NIHL 1 Games this weekend:
Saturday 06.11.21
Sheffield Scimitars v Solihull Barons
Solway Sharks v Nottingham Lions (Face off: 7-00pm)
The Longest trip of the season as the Lions head up to Scotland to play the Sharks with a late journey home to follow the game. The Sharks are usually sitting comfortably around the top end of the league table and they presently sit in second place behind Whitley Warriors but with two games in hand over the north easterners, so all to play for. Not sure who will be available for the Lions for this game but a full bench would be a good start in what will be a formidable challenge. The Solway Sharks make the relatively short trip down to Billingham Stars on Sunday and on their last meeting in Solway the Stars only just missed out in a 4-3 game. Whether that has any bearing on the Lions game has yet to be seen as the Sharks might set out to rest a couple of players for this one, and that might be a mistake that the Lions can capitalise on? Realistically I can't see Martin Grubb, Sharks Head Coach, looking to reduce the team's firepower so thoroughly expect a full bench against the Lions. We shall around, 7.00pm Saturday, see which decision the Stars Head Coach has gone with.
Sunday 07.11.21
Whitley Warriors v Widnes Wild
Billingham Stars v Solway Sharks
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Post by humbucker on Nov 7, 2021 1:53:08 GMT
Saturday's Results:
Sheffield Scimitars 5 Solihull Barons 8
Solway Sharks 5 Nottingham Lions 0
Following the long journey up to Dumfries the Lions including some first time 16yr olds put in an oiutstanding performance against a full strength Sharks who also had the Glasgow Clan back up netminder backstopping for them. In the first period for 8 mins the Lions held out but then lost their concentration and the Sharks struck scoring 5 goals in 12 mins. Following a honest but constructive dressing room meeting at the end of the first period the guys really settled and commenced applying the pressure on the home team, and for forty mins the Sharks realised they were definitely in a game as the Lions outshot them over those two periods and tallied 33 shots against the Sharks 32. The Sharks netminder earned his shutout with some good stops but the Lions were really unfortunate not to score in this game. No complaints of bus legs from the Lions who made an impressive showing after a long journey. Matt had a longish chat with Martin Grubb, Sharks and GB under 20s Head Coach, who was impressed with the young Lions performance and the some of the heavy pressure the team put the Sharks under in this game. Their Elite level goalie Jordan McLaughlin certainly assisted strongly in achieving the result as did Peter Gapa their Import who ended the game with 3+1. Solway are now back at the top of the league, for now anyway. The Sharks take the long trip to Nottingham on Sunday 14 November to face the Lions with a planned 5.00pm face off.
Period Scores: 5-0/0-0/0-0
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Post by humbucker on Nov 7, 2021 21:16:01 GMT
Tonight’s Results:
Whitley Warriors 7 Widnes Wild 4
Billingham Stars 4 Solway Sharks 10
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Post by humbucker on Nov 14, 2021 10:41:52 GMT
NIHL 1 Games this weekend:
Saturday 13.11.21 Results:
Sheffield Scimitars 1 Solway Sharks 5
Billingham Stars 6 Blackburn Hawks 2
Games Sunday 14.11.21
Widnes Wild v Billingham Stars
Whitley Warriors v Solihull Barons
Nottingham Lions v Solway Sharks (Face Off: 5.00pm)
The Solway Sharks are heading the NIHL 1 and head to Nottingham on the back of a 6 game winning streak and having beaten the Sheffield Scimitars last night. Of the 13 games that the Sharks have played in both cup and league they have suffered just the one loss and that was at the Hobbs Moat against the Solihull Barons in October so they come to Nottingham with an impressive record. THe last game the Lions played against the Sharks was up at Dumfries on the 6.11.21 with the home team taking the game 5-0 but with the Lions putting up a spirited performance that drew a some glowing comments from the Sharks and GB u20s Head Coach Martin Grubb. It might be true to say that Martin now has a good idea of how the Lions perform and will have done plenty of homework before heading this way. In the game up at Dumfries the Lions were 5-0 down at the end of the first period but then held the Sharks for the next two periods without them adding to the scoreline. No doubts it will be a different game tonight with the Sharks determined impose their greater experience on their lesser experienced opponents. A cheap night of ice hockey on offer with an early face off and with the prospect of a mighty challenge for the home team plus the chance to see the present top team in the division in action.
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Post by humbucker on Nov 14, 2021 21:31:13 GMT
Tonight's Results:
Whitley Warriors 4 Solihull Barons 3
Widnes Wild 4 Billingham Stars 1
Nottingham Lions 1 Solway Sharks 6
Although losing to top of the division the Lions managed to actually win the middle period and that is an improvement on the last game they played up at Dumfries, although in that one there were two non scoring tied periods.
The Sharks took the first period 0-3 and the third 0-3 with the Matthew Bloor stopping 34 of the 40 sog in the game.
Quite frankly the Lions did not put enough rubber on the Sharks net in this game with just 5 in the first and 3 in the third but in the second the Lions reduced the shots on their net to 9 whilst they put 15 shots on the opposition goal and it paid off as they took that period. The Lions are learning and they are keeping the scores against at a reasonable level at the moment but have shown that if they apply sufficient pressure and can increase their sog that they will improve their chances of getting a few goals, and actually proved that this evening by taking that second period.
Next Sunday 21.11.21 the Lions are on the road to play Blackburn Hawks
Scorers: Kieran Gibbs 1+0, Louie Andrew Newell 0+1, Zachary Yokoyama 0+1
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