Late one v Nightwolves

Fri night saw a late f/o against a vastly improved Nightwolves team. The Nightwolves obviously have got some better players so a good game was in the offing. The Statesmen started off sluggish and after 10mins the Nightwolves had gone 2-0 up, with seemidly a lack of confidence at the moment was evident and we just seem to be struggling to put the puck in the back of the net, even so on 15mins debutant Bob Heldley got one back and the 1st ended 2-1.
Some rather strange refereeing seemed to stem any flow the Statesmen could get into the game with misconducts for 2 of the D, when there was only 4 to start the game and the Nightwolves took full advantage and with a goal from Ritchie continuing his good form of late at the end of the 2nd it was 5-1.
The 3rd was more of the same and with a lot of sitters missed the Nigthwolves scored 1 to end the game 6-2, well done to them and look forward to a rematch in the New Year and maybe a good rivalry will be ensuing and some close games.
MOTM James

WC v London Eagles

Wednesday night saw the Statesmen play the inaugural game against the London Eagles, a Polish team that play out of the Ally Pally. This game was a bit of an unkown, after beating the Legion they drew against the Spitfires.

Without a game sheet theres not much to report, the first period ended 3-1 with Ritchie continuing his good form and getting the lone goal, then with the Statesmen chasing the game the Eagles took advantage and the Statesmen just couldn't seem to create any chances. Paul Danis scored in the 3rd with the game well out of reach and finishing 12-2. This leaves us 3rd in the cup on goal difference with the Legion.

First Winter Cup game v Legion

Wednesday 22nd October saw the first Winter Cup game for the Statesmen against the London Legion. With both sides fielding stronger teams than the last encouter it seemed like it would be a good match. With debutants for the Statesmen, Glen Moorhouse, Frank Bruce, Marcus Cast, Brandon Paluzzi and Mark Freitag, with the game ending in a 3-3 draw.

The first period was a tight affair with both teams coming close until the Legion opened the scoring, a few minutes later Mark Freitag got the equaliser and his first goal for the club. The second period started off the same as the first and shorthanded, this period became tighter with both teams not wanting to make a mistake and it started getting a physical edge, the Statesmen then got the upper hand with a goal from Paddy and afterwards consolidated a 3-1 lead going into the third.

As with most games between the two clubs this may not have been enough and the Legion pulled a goal back and with some end to end hockey and a bit more physicality between the two squads the Legion then pulled level with 1.40 to go in the game. We look forward to the next encounter and play the London Eagles in 3 weeks time which will be a very tough game.

Ritchie gets 25

Congratulations to Ritchie, with a goal and assist against the Legion he gets 25 points.

Winter League

It is now official and the Winter League will be going ahead, should be good. There will be away games still arranged during the winter. Note:- ALL games are at Ally Pally.

Provisional dates are as follows:-

Wed 22nd Oct v London Legion @ 20.45
Wed 12th Nov v London Eagles @ 22.15
Wed 10th Dec v London Legion @20.45
Wed 14th Jan v London Eagles @ 20.15

Also note there are 2 games v Queensway Spitfires (a couple of them we know ;-)) are yet to be arranged.

Tribute Game for Mat Hoxby v Romford

Unfortunately due to ice time etc, the tribute game against Romford Tornado's for Mat Hoxby will not be happening until May. This is due to getting the ice at Romford at a decent time and when the Raiders season has finished.

Still it should be a fitting tribute.

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.