Mat Hoxby - RIP

It is with great sadness that I write this post. Mat Hoxby passed away yesterday 27/08/08 after a being involved in a hit and run accident 2 weeks earlier. He was induced into a coma which unfortunately he never recovered from.

As with the Romford boys I have personally have known Mat from my days as a Havering Hornet (U16) and also those who were only just getting to know him I'm sure, will join me in sending out our thoughts to his friends and family.

A quote from the facebook site for friends of Mat Hoxby:-

'If you know Mat you would know that he is one of the most optomistic people you may ever meet. Someone that lives for only today and takes life as it comes, always looking for the positives in everything he does and the people he meets.'

http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35920177592&ref=ts

A sad loss for our hockey community.

You Jest!

The Statesmen travelled up to MK on Saturday with a squad roughly assembled at the last minute, with the Jesters having a strengthened squad at home we knew it was going to be one of those days and cruised to an easy 9-3 win. The Jesters lead 5-0 by the time the Statesmen responded 2 mins into the 3rd period on a solo effort by Ty. What didnt help is before that Paddy and Ty both received rogue sticks in the face with Paddy's being a lot worse, (always makes me wonder if people with full cages on should be made to play without one for a while) and the ref making some rather strange decisions on both sides. The 3rd wasnt so bad as the Statesmen only lost 4-3 with goals from Isaac and Mark, all in all a strange game and the Statesmen couldnt really get anything going.
MOTM Paddy (2 weeks in a row I hasten to add)

John hits 200

Against the MK Jesters John finally got 200 PIM's.....

Blown away!

The Statesmen's first game against a new Romford rec team the Tornado's started off with a very good 6-0 win. With the Romford side icing a few familiar faces the game started off at a fast pace in a very hot Ally Pally rink. There was nothing really between the sides in the first with the period ending 0-0 though the Statesmen had more of the shots with Andy Gillon making some key saves.
The 2nd started off the same as the 1st and after 10 mins and a disallowed goal from Romford the Statesmen took the lead from Mark F on a deflection. With an unfortunate incident with Jyri crashing into the boards (yep the boards are ok) the game had to be stopped for a good half hour while the ambulance was called, Jyri was ok and discharged that evening, the Statesmen took advantage of the break and the loss of Glen Moorhouse for Romford and James scored on the restart to go into the 3rd 2-0 up. The Statesmen then took advantage of the Tornado's trying to press the game and an unanswered 4 goals in the 3rd with goals from James (natural hat trick) and Ty to end the game 6-0.
A very good and enjoyable game (and our biggest ever 'crowd' of 35) against a physical and quite talented Romford side and hopefully there will be many more in the future and a good rivalry can begin.
MOTM Paddy

Dan gets 50 points

Congratulations to Dan, his 2 assists against Romford takes him to 50 points, James has 25 games under his belt with a very impressive 80 points, well done!

John hits 25 - James 75

John netted his 25th goal on Sat against the Aardvarx and James has reached 75 points. Congrats.

Madchester

Sat saw the Statesmen travel to Manchester to play the Altrincham Aardvarx for their first meeting. It only took 1 min 40 to get on the scoresheet and then the Statesmen with 2 rolling lines never looked back (the Aardarx having 22 players) coming out eventual 22-1 winners.
Despite the scoreline the Aardvarx battled hard till the end earning the respect of the team and if it werent for their goalie it may have been a bigger scoreline. A very enjoyable game all round and the play was good with the scoring spread around the team. James led the way with 4+6, Ty next with 7+2, Mark and Stig getting hat tricks and Ritchie with a brace and John, Paul and Jean getting one each.
Then a very enjoyable evening out in Manchester (5th Avenue) with a few of the Aardvarx joining us as well, look forward to next year and them coming to London.