Nottingham Lions

[humbucker]

Weekend Results:

Saturday 04.02.23

Blackburn Hawks 2 Whitley Warriors 3 (SO)
Deeside Dragons 2 Solway Sharks 7
Nottingham Lions 8 Sheffield Scimitars 2

Sunday 05.02.23

Billingham Stars 6 Sheffield Scimitars 0
Deeside Dragons 5 Widnes Wild 2
Whitley Warriors 5 Solihull Barons 2
Nottingham Lions 3 Blackburn Hawks 4

Following on from their success against the Scimitars the Lions were looking to complete a four point weekend as they faced the Blackburn Hawks. Of late the Hawks have really upped their game gaining some quite surprising results against teams at the top of the league and they showed that improvement on Sunday in a fiercely fought game. End to end hockey was the order of the night with a game that could have swung either way but unfortunately the wrong way for the home team. The Hawks took the first period 0-1 and the second 1-2 but in the third the Lions hit back to tie the game 3-3. The game was decided in the last few minutes as the Hawks scored their fourth goal with the Lions withdrawing their netminder for the 6th skater but to no avail. A good solid game of hockey but only a two point weekend for the Lions.
Goal scorers: Connor Glossop 1, Zak Yokoyama 1, Jack Crowston 1
Period scores: 0-1/1-2/2-1

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Games this weekend:

Saturday 11.02.23

Deeside Dragons v Solway Sharks

Sunday 12.02.23

Billingham Stars v Deeside Dragons
Solihull Barons v Whitley Warriors
Widnes Wild v Solway Sharks
Sheffield Scimitars v Nottingham Lions

The Lions take the short trip up to Ice Sheffield for their last league meeting of the 22/23. Season. To date the Scimitars have not had a great deal of luck either at home or away but on home ice they have pushed teams close therefore their position in the league or past results should not lead to this game being considered in the bag. At home on the two occasions these teams have met the Lions have put 8 goals into the Scimitars net whilst the Scimitars managed 4 and 2 over both games. On the Lions only visit this season to Ice Sheffield the Scimitars made a real game of it but lost out in a 1-3 result. The Scimitars can score goals and it only takes a complacent Lions to turn up and this one could provide the Scimitars with a real chance of taking this game. Hopefully the Lions will go into this one determined to ensure that the points come home to Nottingham.
Face off: 5.15pm.

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Weekend results:

Saturday 11.02.23

Deeside Dragons 3 Solway Sharks 7

Sunday 12.02.23

Billingham Stars 5 Deeside Dragons 4
Solihull Barons 5 Whitley Warriors 4
Widnes Wild 3 Solway Sharks 7
Sheffield Scimitars 7 Nottingham Lions 3

The Scimitars took their chances well whereas the Lions did not and that about sums up the game. As it was said to me the Sheffield team were hungrier for the win on the night but although being outshot 30-50 they made it count. The Lions were three players down on the night but there was plenty of firepower available to complete their season domination of the weakest team in the league. Mind you, a couple of seasons ago the Lions took down the Solway Sharks the then top of the league, as they are now, in a David and Goliath type epic in Nottingham, these things happen. That’s a game to learn from and put to bed one hopes.
Period scores: 1-2/4-1/2-0
Scorers: Kieran Gibbs 1, Zak Yokoyama 1, Jack Crowston 1

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Games this weekend:

Saturday 18.02.23

Deeside Dragons v Widnes Wild
Solway Sharks v Nottingham Lions

Sunday 19.02.23

Deeside Dragons v Solihull Barons
Sheffield Scimitars v Widnes Wild
Whitley Warriors v Billingham Stars

The Lions take the long trip north to me the undisputed present top of the league Solway Sharks and soon to be crowned champions once more as I honestly cannot see anyone anywhere near the quality of the Dumfries outfit. For teams like Nottingham and our near hockey neighbours it is a long day and always a daunting prospect. Hopefully the Lions can up their game and make a reasonable showing after the last outing was definitely not up to their usual standard. Solway are very capable of punishing any team experiencing an off night. Not aware of who is or is not available for this one, maybe some players will need to be drafted in for this game, we shall see.

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Results for 18.02.23

Deeside Dragons 4 Widnes Wild 7
Solway Sharks 12 Nottingham Lions 1

With seven senior players unavailable to travel to play top of the league Solway Sharks a Lions team short benched and with a team with an.average age of 18.82 yrs set off for Scotland famous for mountains and by heck did our guys have a mountain to climb. As expected full advantage was gratefully accepted by Martin Grubb’s team and the result inevitable. Matt was more than pleased with the effort this inexperienced team put in against the Sharks and the commitment the players exhibited throughout the game. The youngsters held out well losing the first 2-0 but the Sharks really opened up for the second and third periods taking the second 6-1 and the third 4-0. Scorer for the Lions Kieran Gibbs.
A long old journey but hopefully a real learning experience for the players drafted in for this game supported, of course, by the remaining seniors who were available for this game.

[humbucker]

NIHL1 Games this weekend.

Saturday 25.02.23

Blackburn Hawks v Deeside Dragons
Sheffield Scimitars v Billingham Stars
Widnes Wild v Nottingham Lions

Sunday 26.02.23

Sheffield Scimitars v Solway Sharks
Solihull Barons v Blackburn Hawks
Widnes Wild v Deeside Dragons

The Lions travel to Widnes with a team supplemented by a number of up and coming players who will be fed into the lines over this game. As the season heads into it’s final stages it is vital that the youngsters begin to get some game time before entering the fray for real next season. A number of players are itching to get out there and hopefully before the season closes more will get their chance. As has been said in the past the Nottingham set up is geared towards development and giving the youngsters an opportunity to play against some more experienced players. The Lions stayed in the NIHL 1 for a specific reason and that was for the challenge that really is presented for the young players the challenge that was and is not available in NIHL 2. The standard is way higher in Div 1 with teams better funded and with imports to boot along with some old school Brits with masses of experience. A player missing for the next 4 games is Zak Yokoyama who was penalised in the home game against Blackburn Hawks.

[humbucker]

Widnes Wild v Nottingham (result)

The Lions put up a great performance but missed out in a tight game 5-3. Spoke with Matt Bradbury on his way home with the team and he was impressed with the fact that his inexperienced young guys stuck to the game plan and system pushing the Wild all the way. The Lions really battled for the whole of the game exhibiting great positional discipline throughout. They were defeated by a team with a vast amount of experience and that’s for sure.
Period scores: 1-0/1-1/3-2 ( Goal 5 ENG)
Scorers: Toby Fisher, Tyler Somerton, and Owen Davis

No other results from tonight’s games as yet.

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Results

Saturday 25.02.23

Blackburn Hawks 5 Deeside Dragons 8
Sheffield Scimitars 0 Billingham Stars 9

Sunday 26.02.23

Sheffield Scimitars 0 Solway Sharks 6
Solihull Barons 4 Blackburn Hawks 3
Widnes Wild 1 Deeside Dragons 6

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Games this weekend:

Saturday 04.03.23

Deeside Dragons v Billingham Stars
Solway Sharks v Solihull Barons
Widnes Wild v Whitley Warriors

Sunday 05.03.23

Blackburn Hawks v Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors v Deeside Dragons
Nottingham Lions v Solway Sharks
Billingham Stars v Widnes Wild

A real challenge, realistically aren’t they all you might say, as the Lions take to home ice against the mighty and probably soon to be crowned league champions, again, the Solway Sharks. No joy at all against this team from north of the border this time around and missing for the second of his four game ban is our Zak Yokoyama. To be fair to our guys Head Coach Bradbury took a number of up and coming players to Widnes and put up a cracking showing so we might see some of these young guys in the team on Sunday. Some of the seniors that couldn’t travel last weekend might be available for this game to add that bit more experience to the lines. Whatever team in this league faces the Solway outfit nearly always struggles to break them down defensively whilst leaving themselves open for the inevitable concerted attack on their own net. Hopefully a good showing from the Lions. Face off: 7.15p,.

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Results: Saturday 04.03.23

Deeside Dragons 2 Billingham Stars 9
Solway Sharks 14 Solihull Barons 3
Widnes Wild 5 Whitley Warriors 2

The Barons were certainly torn to shreds by the Sharks last night in a major way losing by such a margin. What’s happened to Whitley of late as they fall to Widnes with even our young Lions losing, yes to the Wild last weekend but by a lower margin and with an ENG against as well. Solway Sharks are our visitors tonight who just cannot seem to lose, but I am just hoping that our guys make a better hand of it than than the luckless Barons did last night.

[humbucker]

Tonight’s Results

Blackburn Hawks 6 Solihull Barons 8
Whitley Warriors 4 Deeside Dragons 2
Billingham Stars 8 Widnes Wild 1
Nottingham Lions 0 Solway Sharks 5

The Lions put up a more than creditable performance against the highly probable league champions. Some players were sidelined tonight to allow the addition of some of the promising players of the very near future. Given the quality of the opposition the Lions defended well although the opportunities to score were extremely limited. The first period was tied 0-0 the second saw the Sharks take that one 0-2 and the final went to the visitors 0-3. The Lions were certainly not shamed by this result.

[humbucker]

NIHL Games this weekend and League Cup Final Legs 1&2

Friday 10.03.23

Solway Sharks v Billingham Stars LCF 1st leg

Saturday 11.03.23

Billingham Stars v Solway Sharks LCF 2nd leg

Saturday 11.03.23

Deeside Dragons v Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors v Blackburn Hawks

Sunday 12.03.23

Blackburn Hawks v Sheffield Scimitars
Deeside Dragons v Whitley Warriors
Solihull Barons v Billingham Stars
Solway Sharks v Widnes Wild

No games for the Nottingham Lions this weekend.

[humbucker]

Result Tonight

League Cup Final 1st leg

Solway Sharks 5 Billingham Stars 5

Excellent result for the Stars who now need to finish the job on home ice on Saturday. After years without silverware the Stars are just one game away from putting that record behind them but the Sharks do take some beating having proved that point all of this season.

[humbucker]

Results

Saturday 11.03.23

League Cup Final 2nd leg

Billingham Stars 3 Solway Sharks 4 (OT)

Solway grab their first trophy as they yet again attempt the double of league and trophy. They of course were national champions in their recent past so will be looking for the treble to round off another cracking season for the Sharks. Billingham deservedly at last made a final only to be thwarted in what appeared to have been a well fought battle for honours. The Stars certainly pushed the much fancied Sharks all the way.

League results

Deeside Dragons 3 Solihull Barons 2 (OT)
Whitley Warriors 3 Blackburn Hawks 4

The Warriors season really fizzled out after a really good start but as the season developed Whitley appeared to throw in the towel. The Warriors were the first team to upset the Sharks and sat at the very top of the league but that seems to be a heck of a while ago. Whether there are issues at the club I do not know but there certainly has to be a reason for their sudden drop in form.

[humbucker]

Last night’s results

Blackburn Hawks 5 Sheffield Scimitars 0
Deeside Dragons 1 Whitley Warriors 3
Solihull Barons 1 Billingham Stars 2
Solway Sharks 9 Widnes Wild 1

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Games this weekend

Saturday 18.03.23

Billingham Stars v Solihull Barons
Solway Sharks v Sheffield Scimitars

Sunday 19.03.23

Blackburn Hawks v Widnes Wild
Sheffield Scimitars v Whitley Warriors
Solihull Barons v Solway Sharks
Deeside Dragons v Nottingham Lions

A long away trip for the Lions as they head for Wales to meet the Dragons. Mixed luck for the Lions this season against Deeside but they did pull off a win here in Nottingham very early on in the season. Player availability will prove important but we are very aware that as the season draws to it’s close a number of youngsters will be trying out for a place in next season’s team. A tight result, win or lose, will be very welcome with a good and determined performance required in order to achieve anything against the Dragons. Face off 5.15pm.

[humbucker]

Weekend results

Saturday 18.03.23

Billingham Stars 7 Solihull Barons 0
Solway Sharks 10 Sheffield Scimitars 3

Sunday 19.03.23

Blackburn Hawks 6 Widnes Wild 3
Sheffield Scimitars 2 Whitley Warriors 3 (OT)
Solihull Barons 1 Solway Sharks 6
Deeside Dragons 11 Nottingham Lions 2

Solway are deserved League Champions as well as the League Cup winners so only the play offs to complete the treble, not for the first time in their history.
It really shows with the results that the end of the 2022/23 season is drawing to a close as teams prepare for the play off series and teams possibly holding back their more experienced players as the league season finishes.

The Lions left a number of players back home as the team continues to try out the latest batch of youngsters in preparation for the next season and tonight the team coped well for the first period missing out in a 2-1 score line. In the second although out shooting the home team the Dragons took their chances ending that period with a 7-2 lead. For the third period young netminder Issac Ballinger took over between the pipes and he saw out the game. For Deeside it was notable that the goals generated came mainly from their massively experienced first line with little from the remainder of the team. Just one more game to see out the season as the Lions take on second placed and League Cup runners up the Billingham Stars who have had a superb season but as yet no silverware in the cabinet. In truth there are going to be seven or even eight of the teams in NIHL 1 that will skate away with no reward from their campaign this season and will have spent quite a bit in achieving that negative result. Just my towards end of season thoughts.
Scorers: Kieron Gibbs and Tristan Grimshaw

[humbucker]

NIHL games this weekend.

Saturday 25.03.23

Solway Sharks v Deeside Dragons
Widnes Wild v Solihull Barons

Sunday 26.03.23

Deeside Dragons v Blackburn Hawks
Sheffield Scimitars v Solihull Barons
Whitley Warriors v Solway Sharks
Nottingham Lions v Billingham Stars

So here we are the last game of the regular season and to finish off we have the Stars as visitors to finish off for them their best season for a few years. They have really put together a real force to be reckoned with finishing second to top of the league and as League Cup runners up losing out in a fiercely fought two game final against the Solway Sharks. Unfortunately as it stands along with the rest of the league apart from Solway Sharks, as it appears at this time, may end up with an empty trophy cabinet as there remains only the play offs left to put that position to rights. Grabbing that one and only trophy left will be a battle royal as I feel sure that the Sharks are itching once again to achieve the treble here in the north.
This game for the Lions will be a test for the youngsters as the Lions throw a number of next years hopefuls into the fray against the formidable Billingham team. An intense 60 minutes will be required to hold back their extremely solid opponents and that’s for sure. No Panthers home game so come along for a cheap night of hockey, the young Lions really appreciate your support. Face off 7.15 pm.

[kievthegreat]

Hey Humbucker, what is the full story about the unscheduled/uncompleted games thing?

I see Nottingham Lions (NIHL1) were awarded a 5-0 win for one game, but then had three games given against them and points deductions. What is the deal with that?

[humbucker]

kievthegreat

Sorry to disappoint you but as with others I have limited, incomplete information most of which has not been confirmed therefore all of it remains rumour and conjecture. I assume when all has been dealt with by the club and the league a statement will be forthcoming,

[humbucker]

NIHL 1 Results

Saturday 25.03.23

Solway Sharks 14 Deeside Dragons 4
Widnes Wild 5 Solihull Barons 4

[humbucker]

kievthegreat
Regarding the games not played, the Lions team were decimated as five key were selected for the GB Universities Ice Hockey Team to play in Lake Placid at the Universiade therefore the team could not meet some league commitments. The resulting cancellation of games may have led to the points deductions.

[humbucker]

Tonight’s Results

Deeside Dragons 4 Blackburn Hawks 3
Sheffield Scimitars 2 Solihull Barons 4
Whitley Warriors 0 Solway Sharks 4
Nottingham Lions 2 Billingham Stars 3 (OT)

What a finish to the Lions regular league season as they pushed the Billingham Stars all the way in this game and had several breakaway chances to end with a win but it was not to be. The first period ended 1-1, and the second saw the Lions get their noses in front taking it 1-0. In the third the visitors managed to pull the score back to 2-2 and that’s how it ended in regular time. Into the OT session the Lions still had opportunities to finish the game but it was the Stars that grabbed that crucial game winning goal.
Goals scored by Billy Crofts and Tyler Somerton. Call out for new boy Parson Mehrvand who a few days after his 16th birthday iced for his first game for the Lions.
Play offs ahead with the Sharks waiting to launch their bid to land the treble of league champions, league cup winners, and play off champions with the Lions firmly in their sights.

[kievthegreat]

Mar 26, 2023 21:47:27 GMT humbucker said:

kievthegreat
Regarding the games not played, the Lions team were decimated as five key were selected for the GB Universities Ice Hockey Team to play in Lake Placid at the Universiade therefore the team could not meet some league commitments. The resulting cancellation of games may have led to the points deductions.

Thanks for the info. Understand if there's nothing official out there that throwing out rumours isn't necessarily helpful and can just add fuel to fires.


What struck me was that it was that Lions penalties were extreme in comparison to other games/teams. Oh Well. We'll just remember that the real League table has Lions with 9 more points than the one on the league website. 

[Wolves 66]

Mar 27, 2023 0:29:11 GMT kievthegreat said:

Mar 26, 2023 21:47:27 GMT humbucker said:

kievthegreat
Regarding the games not played, the Lions team were decimated as five key were selected for the GB Universities Ice Hockey Team to play in Lake Placid at the Universiade therefore the team could not meet some league commitments. The resulting cancellation of games may have led to the points deductions.

Thanks for the info. Understand if there's nothing official out there that throwing out rumours isn't necessarily helpful and can just add fuel to fires.


What struck me was that it was that Lions penalties were extreme in comparison to other games/teams. Oh Well. We'll just remember that the real League table has Lions with 9 more points than the one on the league website. 

As it turned out, the points deduction didn't have an impact on league standings and still sees the Lions qualifying for the playoffs. The toughest part of the ruling is the significant financial penalties imposed:

A panel review was completed in January with regards to the following fixtures:

NIHL One North
Nottingham Lions vs Widnes Wild – 5-0 in favour of Widnes and a three-point deduction for Nottingham for failing to complete the fixture.
Solihull Barons vs Nottingham Lions – 5-0 in favour of Solihull and a three-point deduction for Nottingham for failing to complete the fixture.
Blackburn Hawks vs Nottingham Lions – 5-0 in favour of Blackburn and a three-point deduction for Nottingham for failing to complete the fixture.

Nottingham were also fined for each fixture and teams were awarded costs.

To put this into context, and I am not close enough to it to know the details, costs could include ice time, loss of earnings, player wages, pre-booked travel etc.

Remember that this is being asked of from a team that don't have the budget to pay their own players!