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Post by humbucker on Feb 15, 2021 21:10:39 GMT
Hot off the press or to be honest I have just been in contact with Matt Bradbuty who informed me of some up and coming games. Four teams involved: Blackburn Hawks, Widnes Wild, Sheffield Scimitars, and Nottingham Lions. I caught on that there had been negotiations, but had not realised how advanced discussions had progressed. I am not sure of the format but details will follow in due course. I believe the games, certainly in Nottingham will be streamed but again awaiting confirmation. Good news in my book amongst all what has happened over the last year.
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Post by humbucker on Feb 16, 2021 9:10:15 GMT
EIHA NEWS
NIHL: Return to play for North quartet February 15, 2021 The EIHA and teams from the NIHL North have been working hard over the past months to determine options for returning to play and as a result we are delighted to announce that the Blackburn Hawks, Nottingham Lions, Sheffield Scimitars and Widnes Wild will take part in a series of games over February and March.
As the participating clubs are a mix of NIHL1 and former NIHL2 clubs, this will be a Cup competition, designed to send a positive message to hockey players, fans and volunteers and build on the sport’s gradual return to play. The first games will be over the weekend of February 27/28 and run through to the end of March.
The series takes place in the context of any forthcoming government announcements impacting elite sport competitions. Both Sheffield Scimitars and Widnes Wild have applied for and been granted their elite status under DCMS guidelines allowing them to take part in this event to allow for athletes across the North to access a key part in the EIHA development pathway.
Round robin fixtures will be announced in the coming days and, as games will be played behind closed doors, teams will do everything they can to either stream the games live or to produce a highlights package, as well as ensuring there is full social media coverage of the games to involve supporters as much as possible.
Throughout the competition the safety of everyone involved – players, officials, volunteers, rink staff – will be paramount. All players will be subject to weekly testing and at all times our teams and venues will comply with both current and future government regulations and the return to play protocols from the EIHA.
The role of our venues in support of the EIHA Return to Play and their ability to comply with the regulations for ice hockey has been pivotal in our ability to deliver the series.
The venues involved – iceSheffield, National Ice Centre Nottingham, Planet Ice Blackburn and Planet Ice Widnes – have all been involved in the planning of the games, along with the Ice Rink Managers Association, with a view to collecting data to support returning rinks to use once the government restrictions start to ease. All stakeholders are mindful of the fact that the Prime Minister is due to outline the government roadmap the week beginning the 22nd February, and whilst this is expected to be positive, all stakeholders reserve the right to revisit the fixture dates if it is appropriate following the Prime Minister’s announcement.
Whilst we recognise that for many people, playing ice hockey may not be seen as a priority at the moment. We are confident that this series will provide a real boost to the mental health of players, coaches, volunteers and fans, and be another step towards the survival and wider return of our sport as the benefit of COVID vaccinations is seen across the country.
We look forward to seeing all of our fans being loud and proud on social media, and if you don’t support one of the four teams involved, why not pick one to support during this series of games?
Game on!
#oneNIHL #NorthCup21 #HockeyIsComingBack
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Post by kievthegreat on Feb 16, 2021 14:07:08 GMT
Great news. Any of the Panther's Brits going to be making an appearance?
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Post by humbucker on Feb 16, 2021 15:52:01 GMT
Hi Kievthegreat Wish I knew? Spoke with Matt who tells me that the squad is in the process of being sorted but no names as yet I am afraid. I have to wait and see like most of the everyday punters. When I know I will post details.
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Post by kievthegreat on Feb 16, 2021 16:15:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2021 20:20:06 GMT
Lions squad for the tournament will be announced tomorrow night (Friday) at 7:15pm live on Lions YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/user/NottinghamLionsTV/videosThe fixtures for the tournament have also been announced. All games will be streamed live and for free. Full 'NIHL North Cup' schedule: Sat Feb 27 - Blackburn v Widnes 1pm Sun Feb 28 - Nottingham v Sheffield 4pm Sat Mar 6 - Sheffield v Blackburn 1pm, Widnes v Nottingham 4pm Sat Mar 13 - Blackburn v Nottingham 1pm, Sheffield v Widnes 4pm Sat Mar 20 - Widnes v Sheffield 1pm, Nottingham v Blackburn 4pm Sun Mar 21 - Blackburn v Sheffield 4pm Sat Mar 27 - Widnes v Blackburn 1pm, Sheffield v Nottingham 4pm Sun Mar 28 - Nottingham v Widnes 4pm
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Post by humbucker on Feb 18, 2021 20:24:57 GMT
Spoke with Matt Bradbury who informed me that the Lions squad will be announced on Friday evening. Sounds like some final T's to be crossed and i's to be dotted. That's as much as I could glean from the Head Coach.
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Post by humbucker on Feb 19, 2021 22:43:02 GMT
The Lions thirty player squad was announced this evening. The full list is on Lions Twitter. Good to see some of the senior guys back and an all time scoring machine Joe Wightman is making a return at 36 yrs old. Joe Hazeldine has joined the Lions, a most welcome addition along with the ex Sheffield Steeldog Vladimir Luca who picked up 64 pts last season. An excellent mix of youngsters who will be out to grab their chances to make their mark at the higher level.Also good to see Joe Gretton, who was with Peterborough Phantoms last season and Connor Glossop who makes a welcome return, Must admit to really looking forward to the next few weeks of ice hockey. Games to be streamed for free with Jono Bullard and Chris Gadsby at the helm. Hopefully the system holds out as it hasn't been in full action for sometime. A lot of dust and rust to deal with after this enforced break. With no spectators allowed the Lions will not receive an income but officials and ice time do not come free so although streaming is free there is a just giving page for any donations towards costs that will be gratefully received. The club are hoping to raise a £1000-00 over the NIHL North Cup games.
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Post by Wolves 66 on Feb 25, 2021 17:01:01 GMT
All Set-up and ready, here is the link for Sunday's live & free stream coverage of Nottingham Lions v Sheffield Scimitars in the NIHL North Cup. If you would like to donate to junior hockey development in Nottingham, please check out our Go Fund Me page here uk.gofundme.com/.../nottingham-lions-nihl...
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Post by humbucker on Feb 26, 2021 21:43:55 GMT
The Lions announced an important signing tonight as 31yr old James Neil makes a welcome return to the city where his long and successful ice hockey career began. James came through the Nottingham Junior Programme dressed for the Panthers before moving on. He played at GB level for the under 18s and 20s then played at club level for the Manchester Phoenix, Milton Keynes Lightning, Blackburn Hawks, and Leeds Chiefs. It will be good to see James back in a Nottingham shirt and passing on his experience to the young guys. The Lions are hoping to raise money via uk.gofundme.com/.../nottingham-lions-nihl with all monies going to support the grassroots and junior development programmes here in Nottingham. Remember all games are to be streamed for free so get a taste of ice hockey after the famine that the fans have suffered over the past year and not a penny to pay although a contribution to junior hockey will be always welcome. No late face offs so all of the family can share the experience.
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Post by humbucker on Feb 27, 2021 15:52:07 GMT
First game of the NIHL Cup played today. A much strengthened Widnes Wild travelled down the road to play the Blackburn Hawks. The Wild quickly found their hockey legs as they took an early lead but the Hawks quickly tied the game. From there on in there was only one team in the game as by the end of the second period the Wild held a comfortable 3-6 lead. The Wild finished the game with a further 3 goals without reply and took the game with a comfortable 3-9 win. The new guys certainly made their mark for their new team although I did note that Ollie Baron had returned as player and head coach and his sidekick Stuart Brittle. Ollie has led the Wild to Conference victory a season or so ago but has a much strengthened team than his NIHL 2 outfit of that time. As with all teams a number of players will move back to their club of origin after the cup games but how the conferences look by the Autumn is anyone’s guess. Enjoy what we have for now.
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Post by humbucker on Feb 28, 2021 10:27:04 GMT
Game on at 4pm on home ice as the Nottingham Lions take to the ice against our old rivals the now renamed Sheffield Scimitars. An actual return to a name Sheffield used many years ago as a number of us old guys will remember well. The rivalry between our two cities, hockey wise, is well known and I expect plenty of tension when these two face each other this afternoon. All ice hockey fans can watch the game as it is to be live streamed with Jono Bullard and Chris Gadsby taking you through all of the action play by play. There is a chance to win prizes with a raffle to win Joe Hazeldine’s team shirt as first prize. Join the live action and enjoy now rare on ice action. The Lions Twitter feed will take you through to the live stream.
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Post by kievthegreat on Feb 28, 2021 18:27:29 GMT
Great result and a thrilling finish!
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Post by humbucker on Feb 28, 2021 23:44:51 GMT
What a real rollercoaster of a game at the NIC tonight between two teams hungry for that first win. I have not quite come down since at 64.37 in the game the Lions got that all important OT goal and a 6-5 win. Jack Hopkins grabbed his first senior goal to end a great night for him and the team. That third period will stick with me for a long time as the game at 3-4 the Lions pulled the keeper and tied the game only to fall behind 4-5 with 35 secs in the game. The keeper was pulled once again and with 12 secs to go the Lions tied it up at 5-5 and into OT. The rest, as they say, is consigned to history. Thanks to Jono and Chris for their commentary and comments throughout the game and the intervals. The youngsters supported by the seniors did an amazing job against some tough, experienced, opposition. Scorers: Vladimir Luka 3+0, Jack Hopkins 1+3, Tom Palmer 1+1, Ellis Ricci 1+0, Joe Hazeldine 0+4, Archie Hazeldine 0+2, Joe Wightman 0+1, and Connor Glossop 0+1. The stream hit 1200 and that is incredible with views as far away as Australia and Argentina. Joe Hazeldines shirt raffle raised an amazing £500 all money going to junior development along with the proceeds from the gofundme site. Time to find a dark room.
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Robbie Nud
David Clarke
I really do look like this.
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Post by Robbie Nud on Mar 1, 2021 10:13:17 GMT
That was a cracking game with a thrilling finish and a well deserved win. The scimitars goalie was outstanding and kept them in the game. Was also good to listen to the commentators during the period breaks explaining the set up of the Lions and that they are not built round a league winning format but to develope players to go on to bigger and better things and that in the past are playing teams with more professional set ups and player ie Whitley with Longstaff.
If there was one criticism it would be the camera, they explained that is was automatic and followed the puck but when the play was near the goal ends then with no zoom in it was difficult to see what was happening. There was a few tech issues with the stream freezing at the start of the 2nd but cant complain, watched a great game live and they are doing it for free. Will definately be watching the other games.
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Post by Wolves 66 on Mar 1, 2021 16:57:48 GMT
For those of you that didn't see the game, it's still there on Youtube and well worth a watch. There will also be a highlights package going up this week. And if you want the really short version, check out the Lion's Twitter for a series of tweets showing clips of all of the action from the end of the game (with some very excited commentary from Jono and Chris!)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2021 23:18:37 GMT
Here are the highlights of Lions v Scimitars
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Post by humbucker on Mar 5, 2021 18:49:15 GMT
NIHL North Cup games take place on Saturday with the Sheffield Scimitars v Blackburn Hawks and the Lions take the road up north to meet top of the group the Widnes Wild. The Widnes team played their opening game against Blackburn who they dispatched comfortably with an on the road 3-9 win. The last time the Div1 Lions played the Div2 Wild here in Nottingham the game was settled with penalty shots with the Lions victorious on that occasion. Our guys will be playing a massively strengthened Wild who are certainly exhuding a high degree of confidence following their recent demolition job inflicted on their near neighbours the Hawks. With conference winning ex Head Coach Ollie Barron agreeing to a return for the cup games will add the edge that might have been missing when the Lions last met the Wlid. With a stronger bench strength they will prove far more formidable as a unit and on home ice a real handful. The Scimitars might be expecting an easier task against a possibly shell shocked Blackburn Hawks but within the Hawks ranks there are some very accomplished players. Sheffield should not take the Hawks lightly and I feel sure they will be prepared for a bit of a battle. Not sure if the whole of the Lions squad are available for this road game as work commitments might intervene, hopefully not?
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Post by humbucker on Mar 6, 2021 16:03:57 GMT
After 3 periods of hockey up the road the Scimitars v Hawks tied at 3-3. 1-1/1-0/1-2. Overtime did not decide this one so went to penalty shots with the Hawks taking the game 3-4. Watched large sections of the game with the Hawks close to taking the game in regulation time but the Scimitars grabbing the all important 3rd goal in the last couple of minutes. Once again some excellent hockey and some superb netminding from both teams. Looking at the watch it's 4-00pm and the start of the Widnes Wild v Nottingham Lions game.
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Post by humbucker on Mar 6, 2021 20:47:19 GMT
Looking back to the Hawks v Wild game last week that their No1 netminder Niks Trappans had a nightmare of a game in the Hawks 3-9 home loss with a 66% save average. Looking at Trapans today he appeared to have overcome the shock with a 93.33 average and that is what you would normally expect of a goalie with his vast experience. The Lions put up a very spirited fight up at Widnes but with not quite enough in the tank to claim a point or two. The Period scores: 2-1/1-2/3-0. Going into the third period tied at 3-3 the Lions were definitely in with a shout but found themselves chasing a 5-3 scoeline. The goalie was pulled for the extra skater but conceded the eng to put this game to bed with a 6-3 win to the Wild. The Lions were never short of opportunities and on another day it might have been a different story. Scorers: Jack Hopkins 2+0, Joe Humphries 1+0, Vladimir Luka 0+2, Ellis Ricci 0+1, Joe Hazeldine 0+1, Louie Andrew Newell 0+1, Archie Hazeldine 0+1. Joshua Crane N/M faced 34 shots in his first game. Refreshing to see the Nottingham youngsters racking up a few points. Some good prospects in this Lions team. I noted that 4+3 of the Wild's points came from two players drafted from the Leeds Chiefs with the same two picking up 5+5 between them against the Hawks last week in the 3-9 win. Handy guys to have around for the 6 game cup series. The Wild come to Nottingham for the final game on 28th March at 4.00pm.
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Post by Wolves 66 on Mar 12, 2021 15:14:07 GMT
The Lions' away game against Blackburn at 1pm tomorrow can be watched for free at bit.ly/HawksTVLiveStreaming
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Post by humbucker on Mar 12, 2021 18:21:06 GMT
Saturday 13th March NIHL North Cup
The on form Widnes Wild travel to meet the Sheffield Scimitars with a 4.00pm face off. The Scimitars will be desperately wanting to get that all important win under their belt given their two losses one in O/T here in Nottingham and the loss on penalty shots at home to Blackburn. They have enough depth in the squad to take this one although Widnes have picked up two excellent goal scorers in Barnes and Haggar of the Leeds Chiefs and they will require close attention in this game. Widnes do have some depth throughout but the two mentioned do stand out.
The Lions travel once again this time to meet a remarkably rejuvinated Blackburn Hawks who having been caught cold in their first game against Widnes have found their collective mojo and come back battling for points and will definitely fancy a home win after their impressive performance at Sheffield last week. They do have quality in all departments and a massively experienced Latvian N/M in Niks Trapans who kept the Scimitars at bay. Tough old game for the boys but great experience no matter what the outcome in these cup games. This competition gives the young players a good run out and an idea of what they will be up against when the season commences. An early face off time of 1.00pm.
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Post by spik on Mar 13, 2021 15:14:24 GMT
Ouch that last open net missed.
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Post by humbucker on Mar 13, 2021 16:00:42 GMT
The Lions came into this game knowing that the Hawks were going to give them a tough old game and that is exactly what we had with the Hawks just tipping the balance in a 7-6 thriller. It was definitely a game that either team could have claimed the points but not today for the Lions. In the first period the Lions banished their bus legs taking an early 2 goal lead but gradually the Hawks began to get the measure of the visitors and fought their way back into the game taking a 4-3 lead into the second. In the second period the Lions hit back giving the home team a real headache and took the period 1-3. Although the young Lions had the legs on some days experience wins out with the third period ending 2-0. Final Score: 7-6. In the last 2 mins of the game the Lions pulled the netminder but although chances went begging on occasions the game tying goal proved elusive and the Hawks survived, but only just. Scoreers: Jack Hopkins 3+1, Connor Glossop 1+1, Vladimir Luka 1+1, Joe Humphries 1+0, Joe Hazeldine 0+4, Joe Gretton 0+1, Ellis Ricci 0+1. The Lions out shot the Hawks 38 - 33. With only a one goal deficit from this game the Lions meet the Hawks on home ice next Saturday 20 March at 4-00pm.
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Post by humbucker on Mar 13, 2021 19:01:05 GMT
A lesson in how to grab defeat out of the jaws of victory up at Sheffield this evening as the Widnes Wild take game in O/T 5-6. The Scimitars having strengthened with the addition of Warren Tait were all over the Wild and took the first period with a comfortable 3-1 lead. They then took the second 2-1 to give them a 5-2 lead going into the third period it was then that the proverbial wheels came adrift for the home team. With a 5-4 lead and the Wild's net minder pulled and with just 28secs to go, it had to be, Haggar to tie up the game and into O/T. This is the third time that the Scimitars have conceded a game in O/T and certainly in this one they only have themselves to blame as they had for much of the game the upper hand. Wild remain unbeaten. I noted that the Wild have added to their staff Cameron Brownley from the Steeldogs and he looks ca very good pick uo for them.
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