Both teams go into this match having had a stark contrast in results the previous weekend. Fylde continued to heap misery on the leagues basement club, with a 11-0 victory over Lancashire. The Sen’s however had to contend with the league leaders, Solway, ending the game 12-0 down.
The previous meeting was an exciting affair, with the Senators clawing back a 3-0 deficit to run out as 4-3 winners, in a game packed full of action, attacking hockey and the odd ‘bust up’.
Fylde will be keen to exact some revenge, having posted some impressive results since. These include registering 6 goals against Solway in 2 games, a feat not met by many teams this year. Fylde have also pushed many of the other teams in the league to close results, with their all out attacking approach.
The Sen’s will be well aware of the threat posed by Fyldes’s star men, Elvis Veldze who has registered 30 points so far this season, along with Bobby Caunce who has 35 points. The defensive naivety that has crept into previous games will need to be ironed out to keep these 2 quiet!
The Sen’s are still enjoying a much improved season, currently sat 1 point behind Bradford with 5 games in hand, a win on Sunday will see the Sen’s jump Bradford in the standings -with an eye on catching Hull too.
The Sen’s have some key ommisions this weekend, including Jonathan Kirk, Tom Ray, Dan Taylor and some of the Under 18′s / Spartan players that have done so well when called upon this year. The inclusion of Shiney Lingwood will be a welcome addition in the absence of these.
In all you can expect a fast paced, goal filled and exciting example of ENL2 hockey. Get down to Ice Sheffield on Sunday to see the Sen’s in action, followed by the Spartans.
See you down there.
GO SEN’S!!!!!!!
]]>
The Racenight will take place at the Royal Standard pub on 25th Feb 12. The races start at 19:30 and its £2 for a horse.
Give what you can as it all goes back into the club!
Please contact Babs Walker on 07970546299 for more details or to submit a horse.
]]>The weekend saw the Sen’s taking on 2 very tough teams in ENL 2.
First up were the Hull Stingrays, who came to Ice Sheffield for the 2nd time this season. Having met this team once already, the Sen’s knew that Hull would bring speed, youth, energy and skill.
The Sen’s were definitely in for a tough game if Hull’s previous results were anything to go by. Having beat the Sen’s on home turf already this season, Hull had also ran Solway, the league leaders, to their closest result of their 20 wins. To top that, weeks earlier Hull had defeated the leagues 2nd placed team, Sutton Sting, 3-2.
Hull started much more brightly and went in at the end of the 1st period 3 -1 up, the Sen’s taken aback and caught napping by Hull’s speed and direct play.
The 2nd period saw a revitalised Sen’s team take the game right to Hull, physical play combined with attacking prowess saw the Sen’s pull the game level close to the end of the period. A calamity behind the Sen’s goal by Bob Browne, gifted Hull an empty net goal and sent them 1 goal ahead into the 3rd period. A minor blip on an otherwise spectacular performance from Bob Browne, one of many shown of late.
The Sen’s continued to push in the 3rd period and showed their class and commitment. Andy Hancock leveled the game early on in the 3rd and Jonathan Kirk gave the Sen’s what would be the game winning goal later on.
The Sen’s saw out the game, defending vigourously and took a massive 2 points from a strong Hull side.
Sutton Sting 5 - 1 Sheffield Senators
In the previous 2 meetings between the teams, The Sen’s have proven to be a thorn in the side of the Sting. Infuriating the Sting and cooling the relentless attack that the Sting have taken to so many teams this year, registering some impressive wins.
This was to prove no different, the Sen’s started resolute and pushed the Sting at every opportunity. Plenty of physical play and passion saw the Sen’s hold the Sting to a mere one nil lead at the end of the 1st.
The 2nd period was to be much of the same, the 14-1 destruction that the Sting imposed on Bradford Bulldogs the day before was not to be repeared on The Sen’s. Another resolute period saw the Sen’s frustrate the Sting to just a 2-0 lead.
The 3rd period saw The Sen’s push forward in search of an equaliser. Having got a consolation goal, The Sen’s were punished on the Sting powerplays.
The final period was full of penalties for both teams, a fight, a gashed chin and a game ban for a push on the referee …. all in all another eventful and entertaining game between these 2 teams – a real exhibition of the quality in ENL2.
A positive weekend for the Sen’s who now make preparations for the visit of the leagues runaway leaders, the Solway Sharks …. can The Sen’s be the first to halt the Sharks unbeatable run?
Be down at Ice Sheffield on Sunday to see!
GO SEN’S!!!!
]]>Five of Sheffield Ice Hockey Academy’s rising stars have been rewarded for their dedication and hard work by becoming the first junior players to be selected onto the new Sheffield Steeldogs Prospects programme. This will be their first steps towards a professional ice hockey career as they will train alongside the senior professional players of the Steeldogs team, who are enjoying a successful season in the English Premier League.
Luke Smith, Elliott Knell, Jonathon Kirk, Joel Aheran and Bradley Day have all progressed successfully through the Sheffield Junior Academy at iceSheffield. They play for the Sheffield Steelhawks U18 team that have won this season’s Division 1 league title and are the current National Playoff Champions. Steeldogs Head Coach Andre Payette gives a lot of time to the Sheffield Academy in assisting with coaching and support to nurture Sheffield’s talented young players. In liaising with Academy head coaches Mark Heron and Jeff Colton, this new programme gives a tremendous opportunity for these players to progress into the professional game and will give them a great experience and insight to becoming a professional ice hockey player.
Photo L>R – Shane Smith (Owner) Jonathon Kirk, Bradley Day, Luke Smith, Joel Aheron, Elliott Knell, Andre Payette (Coach)
]]>
Tickets are £3 each
Any academy players who would like to go will get in for free. ( if ordered through the academy )
The Sheffield Senators are proud to support St Lukes – The Sheffield Hospice.
Please take some time to visit their website, find out the about the amazing work they do and donate what you can to a brilliant cause.
http://www.stlukeshospice.org.uk/
]]>
This was the second meeting between the 2 teams, the first being a close game in which the Sen’s managed to match Sutton for extended periods, but eventually came out with a loss.
Going into this game off the back of 2 disappointing performances, the Sens were keen to put on a show and show their worth against one of the most attacking and better teams the league has to offer.
With a host of players making the step down from as high up as Elite League to join the Sutton team, it was always going to be a tough one.
The Sens started the game brightly, showing a physical approach and doggedness from the off. Hits were made, pucks chased and Sutton suddenly found themselves in a real game – not the walkover they may have expected.
The Sen’s defended solidly and capitalised on a bad penalty taken by Sutton.
Jefferies taking a penalty in his first shift of the game, the same was to happen on his next 2 shifts.
On the powerplay, the Sens held the opposing zone well, a pass from D-to-D from Stevie Weeks to Jonathan Kirk, was followed up by a laser of a slapshot from the young defender through the Sutton keepers five hole…. One nil Sens.
The Sens continued to defend with valour against a historically brilliant attacking force. A lapse in concentration led to Sutton equaliser, the Sutton forward having danced around 2 defenders and slotted it past Browne.
The Sens did however show that they were a team to be respected, big hits made throughout the team were continuing to frustrate Sutton, who racked up penalties as a result.
The period closed with the Sens going in 2-1 up, a brilliant goal from Alex Harding who stayed cool in front of goal and slotted home, assisted Humphries.
The Sens keeper, Bobby Browne, truly stood on his head and made some amazing saves. The Sens, keen to keep shots from wide, defended well and entrusted their young keeper to do the business…. Bobby certainly did the business for his team during 3 solid periods
Sutton were certainly ‘stung’ by the Sens first period performance and came out all guns blazing in the 2nd, the Sens remained resolute and defended stubbornly. Sutton got a lucky break to equalise, the puck saved by Browne, only to rebound over his head and into the Sens goal.
Second period ends 2-2.
The third period saw the Sens continue to defend well and stick to the well laid plans set out by coach Andy Ellis. Sutton managed to capitalise on one of few mistakes made by the Sens to eventually take the lead, massive relief to the Sutton team who had not not anticipated to be in such a battle today.
The Sens had no choice but to relax their defence and push on for an equaliser, matching Sutton offensively but failing to capitalise on numerous key chances.
Late on Sutton managed to score the last goal in the game and finished as 4-2 winners.
For anyone who was at the game, it was clear to see The Sens were re-energised and put in one of the performances of the season, matching one of the leagues best teams.
Playing with heart, desire, tact and fortitude, the Sens proved their worth and showed their continued growth as a team in their second season.
Professional throughout, each man fought and battled for the other and were ambassadors for the game, not being drawn into any unprofessional behaviour.
MOTM went to Bobby Browne for a truly outstanding performance between the pipes.
The Sen’s now have a 2 week rest before they meet Hull and hope to get back to winning ways.
GO SEN’S!!
]]>
The Sen’s go into this game off the back of 2 disapointing defeats to Bradford and Flintshire. In both games the Sen’s were punished for naivety in defense and a lack of edge in front of goal.
With renewed confidence and having had time to iron out issues in training, the Sen’s will be looking to give a good show of themselves against the leagues 3rd placed team.
Sutton Sting are on a 3 game winning streak, having lost to Solway Sharks at the end of November, followed by a surprising loss to Hull Stingrays in early December.
The 3 wins coming against Fylde ( 2 games ) and a convincing 9-2 win over 2nd placed Flintshire Freeze.
Known for their formidable attacking force, the Sen’s will be keen to take advantage of what can be a leaky Sutton defence – having conceded 1 goal for every 2 scored this season.
——————————————————————————————
One to Watch….
With goals all the way through the team ( 4 players in the leagues top 10 points scoreres), it is difficult to narrow this down, however the Sting’s main 3 threats are…..
* Simon Butterworth –
Having been a product of the Sheffield Ice Hockey system since under 10′s, the Sen’s will be well aware of the threat posed by Simon.
With 11 goals and 36 assists, The Sen’s will need to be 100% swtched on to keep the Sting’s key playmaker quiet!
* Richard Oliver -
Another product of the Sheffield Ice Hockey system and a well know face. With vast experience, cool finishing skills and vision, it is unsurprising that Ritchie is such a force in the Sting’s attack.
* Ben Lowe –
Having started his hockey career in Sheffield at Under 10 level, Ben moved to Hull to further develop himself under Peter Johnson. This led Ben to secure a spot with ENL team Hull Stingrays.
Despite this, The Sting had the financial clout to secure Ben’s services and having not seen as much Ice as wanted in the Elite league – he made surprising decision to take a 3 tier league drop to play in ENL 2 for Sutton.
The Sen’s will be keen to keep Ben quiet, having registered 22 goals and 16 assists this season, this is despite being the teams highest penalty taker at 80 penalty mins.
——————————————————————————————–
The financial differences between the 2 teams are vast and uncomparable. Despite this the Sen’s will be keen to show that grit, passion, heart,drive and endeavour can out-do spending power when the teams hit the ice. Face off at 16:30 tomorow, hope to see you there!
GO SEN’S!!!
]]>The Sen’s had 4 strong lines and were confident they would have the manpower to put in a good performance against Flintshire’s 12 skaters.
The game started with a bang, unfortunately for the Sen’s this came in the form of a Flintshire goal in the opening 7 seconds. Flintshire pushed the puck through on the face-off and got the jump on the Sen’s defenders … one nil.
The Sen’s never really got into the game, despite lots of effort in the early stages. The Freeze were resolute, organised and held the puck well.
The Sen’s did manage a strong 3rd period, having been lapse in defence in the 1st and 2nd and won the 3rd period.
Overall the score ended 6-2, a MOTM performance from Bob Brown between the sticks kept the score down.
The Sen’s go back to the drawing board in an attempt to sure up their defence before the clash this weekend with 2nd placed Sutton Sting.
GO SEN’S!
]]>]]>Bradford continued where they left off against the Sens in Bradford the other week.
All out attacking from the face off proved to be too much for the Sens going in after the 1st period 5-2 down.
1st period goals coming from Josh Wilson on his debut with the Sens and Alex Harding scoring the second goal.
Sens came out a different team in the 2nd period. Alex Harding getting his 2nd goal, a much more even period finishing 1-1 making the score 6-3.
The Sens came out in the 3rd and tried to continue where they left off in the 2nd period, it was hard work coming from behind all the way through the game but Alex Harding got his 3rd goal of the game making it 6-4.
This was looking like the Sens were on a comeback but Bradford continued their attacking game and it paid off with them getting a further 2 goals taking them to be the winners at 8-4.
Well deserved MOM for Alex Harding after his hat trick performance, let’s hope the New Year brings a much more improved performance for the Sens because they did not seem to be on their game today.
Goals & Assist’s :-
1st - Wilson/Humphries/Ray
2nd - Harding/Chapman/Kirk
3rd - Harding/Hancock/Knell
4th - Harding/Pitchford