Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
|
Post by Shaggy on Jul 30, 2019 7:11:12 GMT
NIHL North 1 fixtures, including the Nottingham Lions, now released:- <EIHA>
|
|
|
Post by cooperphil156 on Aug 15, 2019 13:24:37 GMT
I like this twitter post. "Thanks to Gui, Tim & the @panthersihc for providing the opportunity, experience and support for 3 of our prospects (Parker, Palmer & Challans), we look forward to continuing this relationship, working more closely together and inspiring the next generation of local 🇬🇧 talent 👊🏻💥" Encouraging.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Aug 22, 2019 14:42:21 GMT
Miles Finney is on the move as he signs for the Leeds Chiefs. The 25 yr old impressed between the pipes for the Lions last season facing enough shots to induce a severe case of shell shock. He stood up amazingly to the pressure placed on him and did so without ever losing the plot and staying totally focused on the job in hand. He certainly deserves his chance at the higher level although moving as back up to Sam Gospel. SAM ZAJAC Head Coach stated in the local press that he believes the capture of Miles Finney gives his Leeds Chiefs team the best netminding partnership heading into the inaugural NIHL National campaign.Praise indeed and the club wishes him well for the up and coming season.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Aug 28, 2019 20:53:11 GMT
Ruskin Hughes has left the Nottingham Lions joining the Solihull Barons for the 2019/20 season.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 5, 2019 15:42:38 GMT
The Lions have the unenviable task of opening their 2019/20 this season, this weekend, up at Hillheads against David Longstaff's Whitley Warriors. I note from Elite Prospects that the Lions have signed 11 players and no imports. Spoke with Head Coach Matt Bradbury as this must be one of the lowest number of signed senior players for a number of years and the first year for a good while with no import players. Matt remains unfazed as the opportunity to blood more juniors becomes the norm and with some interest being exhibited at a higher level within hockey circles in Nottingham a greater goal for the youngsters may also open up. A number of promising players have been provided with the opportunity to train with the Panthers on occasions and that has to fire up the ambition of the young guys. Both Gui Doucet and Tim Wallace are watching the Nottingham development pathway and that has to be an hopefully encouraging sign for the future. There is no doubt that the Lions will be, once again, faced with an enormous task this season but staying in NIHL 1 was absolutely necessary for the development of the up and coming players.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 7, 2019 12:50:52 GMT
So the 2019/20 season begins:
Weekend Games: One only as the Lions travel to Whitley Bay to meet the Warriors on Sunday. The Lions have to get use to 'bus legs'as the following Saturday 14 September the boys travel up to face the Solway Sharks. A tough week to commence blasting away the off season cobwebs and get the legs moving.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 8, 2019 23:12:50 GMT
Tonight's Results
Whitley Warriors 11 Nottingham lions 0. Period scores: 1-0/4-0/6-0. MOM Joshua Crane NM had a 87.27 save rate conceding 7 goals from 55 shots. Young Luca Sheldon took over NM duties at 42.42 to see out the game. A baptism of fire for the reshaped Lions who must learn to adapt to the faster paced game. There are so many changes to this team in personnel terms that I have yet to get up to speed. Tougher times/games ahead with the Sharks of Solway awaiting the visiting Lions next Saturday.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 9, 2019 10:06:13 GMT
Spoke briefly with Matt Bradbury regarding the Whitley game. For the very first run out of the team and on the road he was relatively ok with the team's overall performance. He felt the boys tired as the game progressed which showed in the final scoreline. I hadn't realised until speaking with Matt that one of the Whitley former imports (Edgar) now has a Brit passport and was therefore allowed to ice with their import players on the same line. NIHL rules with imports allows just two on the bench but can only ice one on a line. A definite advantage if a player is eligible to hold a Brit passport and allows for another import slot on the team. Now there's an advantage to be tapped into should there be enough eligible hockey players around carrying the requisite documents.
|
|
Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
|
Post by Shaggy on Sept 10, 2019 22:49:13 GMT
After what is sure to be a gruelling trip way up north to the Solway Sharks on Saturday 14th, the Lions will have their first home game on Sunday 15th - faceoff will be at the earlier time of 6pm, and they will be hosting the Blackburn Hawks.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 11, 2019 13:01:31 GMT
Games in NIHL 1 this coming weekend
Saturday Sutton Sting v Whitley Warriors Solway Sharks v Nottingham Lions
Sunday Whitley Warriors v Solway Sharks Solihull Barons V Billingham Stars Nottingham Lions v Blackburn Hawks
After the long trip up to Scotland on Saturday the Lions face a fresh Blackburn Hawks, who will have possibly, spent their Saturday relaxing before their only game of the weekend here at the NIC. It's a cruel old life on occasions but weekends like these can prove a great test of character for the young guys whilst possibly being a more tiring one for the old guys.
|
|
loupowell52
Robert Lachowicz
Grape Aficionado
Posts: 444
|
Post by loupowell52 on Sept 11, 2019 14:10:52 GMT
The Lions side need to take these games on the road as a genuine opportunity to learn about the sport in general and themselves as individuals. One hundred percent TEAM play and hard work will be rewarded as the season unfolds. "Let's Go Lions".
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 11, 2019 15:40:13 GMT
Hi loupowell52 100% with you on that one. Long may your grape yield increase.
|
|
loupowell52
Robert Lachowicz
Grape Aficionado
Posts: 444
|
Post by loupowell52 on Sept 12, 2019 8:35:37 GMT
Do the Lions have a commercial or sponsorship team ?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2019 11:16:01 GMT
Do the Lions have a commercial or sponsorship team ? We don’t have a specific team, everything is dealt with by the club management. However if you do have a sponsorship or commercial query please email the club nottinghamlions@hotmail.co.uk
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2019 11:17:58 GMT
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 16, 2019 16:46:32 GMT
Had a few days R&R therefore to some extent out of the loop for the weekend games.
Saturday's Results: Sutton Sting 1 Whitley Warriors 5 A good start to the Warriors season with two wins in the bag.
Solway Sharks 15 Nottingham Lions 1
Prior to the Hull Pirates, Telford Tigers and Sheffield Steeldogs entering the NIHL 1 Moralee Conference following the collapse of the EPHL the Solway Sharks were the top team in the NIHL 1 and I honestly believe that is where they will settle with the 'Big Guns' having moved on. Out gunned but Harry Hopkins grabbed his first goal assisted by Lewis George Jones.
Sunday's Results Solihull Barons 6 Billingham Stars 5. A tight opener for the Barons but two points on the board. Noted ex Nottingham players Ruskin Hughes, from last year's Lions, and Thomas Soar, from a few years ago, accounted for three of the goals.
Whitley Warrior 3 Solway Sharks 4 (O/T win) The Warriors certainly made the Sharks work for this one with the 'old boy' David Longstaff bagging all three goals for the home team. First loss for the Warriors but produced a few worrying moments for the Sharks who were 3-1 down until quite late in the game and being outshot by the home team.
Nottingham Lions 3 Blackburn Hawks 7 The first live steamed game on the YOUTube Channel. After a long trip up to Scotland it was always going to be a perhaps tired Lions team but it has been reported that the team stayed strong but obviously up against solid opposition in the Hawks. Noted that Hawks Petr Valusiak waded in with 3 goals and 4 assists. That's what you pay them for to produce the goods and he supplied what was demanded of the import player. Period scores were interesting as the Lions took the first period but obviously missed out on the other two. Period Scores: 2-1/0-3/1-3. Noted another ex Nottingham player James Neil waded in with 1+5. Lions Scorers: Cameron Pywell 1+2, Michael Berehowskyj 1+0, Bailey Martin Challans 1+0, Thomas Palmer 0+1, and Owen Edward Davis 0+1. Quite a few penalty mins racked up in this game as the Hawks appeared to have a bit of a struggle getting into their stride. A lot of stuff happening prior to the Hawks nudging into the lead. Must have worried them a bit! Nice to see a few players getting off the mark scoring wise. Lets see more as the season progresses.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 20, 2019 13:13:21 GMT
Games this weekend: NIHL Cup (Midlands Group)
Saturday; Sutton Sting v Blackburn Hawks
Sunday: Blackburn Hawks v Widnes Wild Nottingham Lions v Solihull Barons
Sunday NIHL Conference Whitley Warriors v Sutton Sting
NIHL Cup (Northern Group)
Saturday: Solway Sharks v Whitley Warriors Dundee Comets IHC v Billingham Stars
Sunday: Murrayfield Racers v Dundee Comets IHC Billingham Stars v Solway Sharks
The Conference, except for one game, is put to one side as the NIHL Cup games commence. The Nottingham Lions meet their old friends the Solihull Barons on Sunday at 7.30pm. Always a little on the chippy side but hopefully entertaining. Included in the Midlands Group is Widnes Wild, the NIHL 2 Champions, whilst in the Northern Group we have the inclusion of Dundee Comets and Murrayfield Racers, (now that's a name that takes me back to the old days of the Hand brothers etc). I used to love the Wembley trips for the play off finals.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 21, 2019 21:09:30 GMT
NIHL Cup (Northern Group)
Solway Sharks 4 Whitley Warriors 2 (Sharks 4th ENG) Dundee Comets IHC 4 Billingham Stars 13
NIHL Cup (Midland Group)
Sutton Sting 7 Blackburn Hawks 3
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 22, 2019 22:26:12 GMT
NIHL Conference Whitley Warriors 2 Sutton Sting 2 (Warriors OT win)
NIHL Cup (Midland Group) Blackburn Hawks 6 Widnes Wild 1 Nottingham Lions 2 Solihull Barons 13
NIHL Cup (Northern Group) Murrayfield Racers 7 Dundee Comets IHC 4 Billingham Stars 7 Solway Sharks 9
The Lions came up against a rampant trio in Ottosson, Soar, and Bowley who between them accounted for 9 goals and 12 assists in a game dominated by the visitors. Period scores: 0-2/0-6/2-5. Scorers for the Lions: Michael Berehoskyj 1+0, Harry Hopkins 1+0, Louie Andrew Newell 0+1, Jack Matthew Crowston 0+1. No need for any over zealous antics from either side as Solihull were well in control of this game.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 27, 2019 16:37:53 GMT
Games this weekend Sunday 29.9.19
NIHL 1 Conference Solihull Barons v Blackburn Hawks Billingham Stars v Whitley Warriors
NIHL Cup (Midland Group) Widnes Wild v Nottingham Lions
It's been a good while since the Lions met the Wild and that was when both teams were in NIHL 2. The Lions moved up a level to provide a greater challenge for the Nottingham team and a challenge it has proved to be particularly as the Lions shed a number of senior players season on season. The loss of so many players povided openings for the younger players developing their game. Always a baptism of fire as the young players attempt to come to terms with teams strengthened by imports and many other well seasoned players some having settled in the lower EIHA Conference set up. Wdnes, although, comfortable champions in NIHL 2 decided that is where they would stay and who can blame them. Good crowds and masses of other support for a team that is used to winning. A move up just might have taken some of the shine off the team as the opposition would prove a great deal tougher and the wins less frequent,if at all? Nevertheless these two, when they did meet a few seasons ago always provided a real battle royal and I expect nothing much will have changed. The Wild do run with two imports Jakub Hajek and team captain Michel Novak, both with masses of experienced, and a good number of guys that have been around for a good while, so yet another challenge for the boys.
I was looking at the Peterborough Phantoms line up the other night and it was only then that I noted that Joe Gretton had moved from the Lions into the National Division. Now that's a real challenge so best of luck to him. Just shows at times how out of the loop I can be!
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 28, 2019 15:25:36 GMT
Interesting to see that Widnes Wild have travelled to Sheffield Senators with a noticeably short bench today. It could be for all sorts of reasons but i wouldn't mind betting that a lot of tickets have been sold for the home game against the Lions tomorrow. Could be, of course, that I am just an old cynic and the evidence, on the night, might just prove me wrong. I await the outcome with profound interest.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 29, 2019 21:22:33 GMT
Tonight's Results NIHL 1 Conference Solihull Barons 6 Blackburn Hawks 4 Billingham Stars 5 Whitley Warriors 6 (OT)
NIHL Cup (Midland Group) Widnes Wild 2 Nottingham Lions 3
The Wild hit the Lions with all that they could out shooting the visitors 3 - 1 but Thomas Hovell in the nets played a blinder with a 95.83 save rate. Must be really good feeling in the Nottingham dressing room having waited for a long time to head home with a win under the belt. This is part one over with as the Wild will be looking to return the compliment when they come to Nottingham. This is a great boost for the youngsters and a real joy for the ever reducing number of senior players season on season. Period Scores: 2-2/0-0/0-1. Scorers: Bailey Martin Challans 1+1, Louie Andrew Newell 1+1, Jack Matthew Crowston 1+0, Tyler Poole 0+1,. Thomas Hovell was rightly MOM for his outstanding performance but the whole team put in a great night's work. Well done guys.
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Sept 30, 2019 13:06:56 GMT
Spoke with a very upbeat Head Coach Matt Bradbury to discuss last night's game against Widnes Wild and the results from the teams he draws players from within the Nottingham Development Programme. Matt was very pleased with not only the Lions win but the u18s and the u20s winning their games over the weekend. Some of the guys Matt took to Widnes had already turned out twice for their Junior Club teams before then turning up for the senior team on Sunday. He was missing some players who were playing t home for the u20s aginst Sutton Sting u20s, and winning also. In discussion with Matt I asked how he and his assistant coaches manage in a training environment to get the young players to understand what they might be up against in actual games. Matt did say that you just cannot provide that knowledge and that the teaching continues throughout the games as it is there that understanding is achieved and the young guys can build on that experience to improve. It is quite apparent to someone such as me that in Nottingham there is a team rebuilding that occurs every season as players move on and the pool of experienced guys willing to come here and play for zilch amounts to virtually zero.Of course as his guys gain greater experience the market opens up and access elsewhere opens up the haemhorrage of players continues. The Lions are part of hockey development therefore there appears little chance of change. I asked if he ever gets downhearted having this uphill battle year on year but he appears to, rather perversley, look forward to each new season and the challenges before him and his team. Long may they continue and I certainly would take my hat off to them, if I had one.
|
|
meadow
Jade Galbraith
Posts: 179
|
Post by meadow on Oct 1, 2019 8:54:14 GMT
Highlights of the Widnes game here:
|
|
|
Post by humbucker on Oct 4, 2019 16:45:56 GMT
Games this weekend Saturday 05.10.19 NIHL 1 Conference Solway Sharks v Solihull Barons
Sunday 06.10.19 Nottingham Lions v Sutton Sting (7.30pm)
NIHL Cup (Midland Group) Saturday 05.10.19 Sutton Sting v Nottingham Lions (7.30pm)
A busy old time for the Lions this weekend against a very much strengthened Sutton Sting who have already taken down the Blackburn Hawks. The Sting brought in Adrian Palak from the Sheffield Steelhawks to pair up with Stanislav Lascek and have some real depth amongst their Brit players. The Sting have played two conference games against Whitley Warriors and lost both games but came back with a creditable 7-3 win in the cup against Blackburn Hawks. The Lions young guys will have it all to do to get a result against the Sting but realistically it is just one of many challenges that the Lions will face over the long season ahead.
|
|