29th Jan
Some more details of last night's game.... The Bees' scorer was Davie Whistle, after good play by Ferras and Stewart behind the net. The unfortunate goalie was Brian Greer, who only faced 29 shots.
29th Jan
Already well known, an official announcement was made yesterday regarding the LA Kings new franchise in London. For those who have yet to hear, they will play out of the Docklands Arena (which is receiving a £7 million refurbishment), and have yet to chose a name (most people are asuming they will be the Kings). They stated that they wanted to improve the standard of British players (hurrah) and would look to be signing some (no danger to Bracknell's squad then :-D). They will be ready to play for the start of next season. They won't name a new coach until the end of the British season (does this mean he's already contracted to a British club?).
There is also rumoured to be a second team starting up next season, and with Leeds still building a new Arena, the hot favourite is Birmingham, out of either the NEC or NIA. Things looking a bit better, anyway.
On a lower note, new rumours have surfaced about Jim's dis-satisfaction with the Bees' management and his desire to leave.
28th Jan
Bracknell's hopes of reaching the Expresso Cup Semis took a massive dip tonight, when they were beaten 7-1 in Ayr. More details will appear here when I have them
25th Jan
Bees beat the Cobras, tonight, in a tempetous match at the Hive. Cobras received over eighty minutes of penalties, including two Gross Misconducts. Two goals from Brian Pellerin, plus a short-hander from the Chief and a powerplay from Colin Ward saw the Bees beat Newcastle 4-3, although the Cobras had led twice in the match. More details will (eventually) appear here.
22 Jan
Yet another bad performance tonight at the Nynex meant the Bees lost 5-0 to the Manchester Storm. They were not helped by a decidedly suspect reffing performance from Nigel Boniface, and earned 41 minutes of penalties, in a not particularly rough match. Coup de grace was Greg Burke's 5 + Game for slashing, after trying to take the puck off someone's stick. This cannot detract, however, from a bad overall performace by Bracknell. Yet again, the defence was toothless, and too many times the final play was poor. To cap it all, Hrivnak was stunning in goal for the Storm, stopping 51 shots by Bracknell. Not a good week....:-(
21 Jan
A poor performance by the Bees saw them lose 4-2 at Sheffield, tonight. Bracknell only seemed interested in the last ten minutes, and were grateful (again) to Mark Bernard for keeping them in it. Ed Courtnay scored all four Steelers goals, the last being an empty-netter. Bracknell scored through Tommy Gomes, on the powerplay, and Greg Burke. However, despite two last minute scrambles, they couldn't tie the match up, and Sheffield went down the ice to win the match.
Also, this from the Bracknell Times, with yet more news about Chris Rowland. It appears we have been allowed to sign him, should we be granted a work permit.
Bracknell Bees' new signing, Chris Rowland, should be flying to England later this week. Rowland therefore will not ice midweek but coach Jim Fuyarchuk hopes to give him an outing on Sunday at home to the Cobras in the Superleague. Fuyarchuk said, "He's a solid all-round player. He can play a fast game and he's not afraid to get his nose dirty. He's adding depth to our line-up and we are the type of team that needs those extra numbers. We are really looking forward to having him in our line-up."
The paper also has a note from the Bees to say they are looking for more match officials and are looking to add to their rota of off-ice officuals of goal judges, timekeepers and scorers. Any takers?
20th Jan
More news on the potential signing of Chris Rowland. This report appeared in tody's Reading Evening Post:
Rowland ready to fly in for Bees
Bracknell Bees will be flying in new recruit Chris Rowland later this week. Canadian forward Rowland, who has been playing for South Carolina in the ECHL this season is still awaiting a work permit. But as soon as it is granted Rowland will be on the first plane over to join his new club. The Superleague had insisted that Rowland neede to be registered by last Friday's transfer deadline, but Bees are hoping they will relent and allow Rowland to play. Bees chief executive said, "We are in the hands of the D of EE. How quickly the work permit comes through depends on how busy they are." Good news is that Scott Campbell is expected to return to the line up for the games in Sheffield and Manchester.
It all seems incredibly unprofessional. surprise, surprise...
19th Jan
Bracknell were beaten at the Playground 6-3, on saturday, after a sorry performance. Pelly gave the Bees the lead but, by the time Colin Ward scored our second, the Moo-moos had already scored three. Chris Brant's consolation goal was the last of the match.
The performance was much better the next night at the Hive. Sheffield were the guests and faced the backlash from the previous night. Bracknell went 3-1 up by the end of the second with goals from Junks, Colin Ward and. However, being Bracknell, they proceeded to throw the match away, allowing the Steelers to score two in the final ten minutes to tie up the match. The match appeared to be heading for the draw when, with less than a minute of overtime left, a delayed penalty was called. Controversy abounded when the Bees crowded Greco's net and he was forced to save a shot, sending a rebound to Stewy for the game winner, only 29 seconds from the end. The Steelers players surrounded the ref, but he ruled that Greco had not had control of the puck, so the goal stood. Ever see a team demand a penalty on themselves before? :-)
There is STILL no news as to whether Bracknell have signed Chris Rowland.
14th Jan
Bracknell are close to signing a new player, but they must have his work permit by Friday, or the League will not register him. The club are able to sign a new player after a deadline extension granted over Butch's departure. A Press Release from the club said this:
BEES SWOOP FOR NEW PLAYER
BUT THERES A STING IN THE TAIL
Following the departure of Wayde Bucsis for personal reasons, the Bracknell Bees Ice Hockey Club were given a special superleague dispensation to replace the goal scoring star, after the official transfer deadline. The new deadline of 16th January 1998 has to be met by the club and Coach Fuyarchuk, immediately started searching for a replacement. Despite a number of offers being made to various players, transfers fell through for a variety of reasons, such as family not wanting to move to the UK, current teams making enhanced offers to retain the player, and such like. The Bees finally homed in on 26 year old Chris Rowland with contracts of intent agreed with the player, subject to a work permit being granted and clearance to play in the UK. Rowland is recommended by the same agency as provides Bees goal ace, Colin Ward. Chris Rowland is 6 01", 201lbs, right shooting forward. Described as very good along the boards and in the corners, an aggressive player with excellent work ethic and an outstanding team player. Previous season statistics include: 1996-1997 South Carolina ECHL 60 games, total of 44 points, 13 goals, 31 assists. 1995-1996 Louisville ECHL 65 games, total of 51 points, 28 goals, 23 assists. 1994-1995 Thunder Bay CoHL, 64 games, 74 points, 30 goals and 44 assists. Despite having agreed terms with Chris Rowland, the Club are in the hands of the Department of Education and Employment. The Bracknell Club cannot register the player with the league until his permit is confirmed. The Ice Hockey Superleague is stating that the player must be properly egistered prior to the 16th January deadline, or he cannot play.
Chief Executive Martin Weddell stated, "Following the special dispensation by the league, for which we are grateful, the Bracknell Bees Ice Hockey Club has done everything in its power in attempting to secure a quick signing. Accommodation, flights, vehicle and salary are all in place and ready to go. Unfortunately it took Jim longer than we had anticipated to find and sing a player, now it is a race against the clock to secure a work permit before the ISL deadline. If successful, we belief that Chris Rowland will be an excellent addition to the Bees squad, as he has all the playing characteristics of the tenacious Bees forward, Brian Pellerin".
Should Chris sign for us, he will be eligable the weekend after next. Meanwhile, the Moo-moos have also made a new signing (somehow) called Craig Teeple, and he will play against us this weekend.
11th Jan
Last night, Bracknell were hosts to Ayr in the league, and were beaten 5-3. The Bee's goals came from Derek DeCosty, Brian Pellerin and Jeff Johnstone. However, the score was apparently flattering, Bracknell's performance being totally laclustre.
Tonight, Bracknell travelled to Newcastle in the Expresso Cup. A poor first period saw them lose 3-1, but they tightened up as the game went on, and eventually drew 4-4, neither team being able to put away one of numerous chances in OT. Bracknell's goals came from Brian Pellerin, Todd Kelman, Colin Ward and Shayne McCosh. Brian Greer played in nets.
More details for both games can be found here.
5th Jan
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Sorry to be so late again with the news, but I spent Hogmanay in Fife. Anyway, last Tuesday Bees played hosts to our dearly-beloved rivals, the Bison, in the Expresso Cup, and again took two points from them (hurrah!). A hat-trick from Jeff Johnstone, plus goals from Colin Ward, Derek Decosty (his first for the club), Tom Gomes, Jope Ferras, and Reggie Crawford saw Bracknell put nine past Hapless Gallace, although a poor defensive display saw them conceed six in reply.
Then, on Saturday, we travelled to Nottingham and against the odds again took both points, winning 4-1 in the Ice Stadium, again in the Expresso Cup. Goals from Tom Gomes, Davie Whistle, Colin Ward and the Chief saw Bracknell go ahead, whilst Brian Greer saved 45 of the 46 shots he faced.
Yesterday, Bracknell played their fifth Expresso Cup game in a row, at home to Cardiff. Unfortunately, despite leading most of the match, they just couldn't hold on and finally lost 2-1, with the goal coming from Colin Ward. Again, Brian Greer was phenominal in goal, facing 39 shots.
The result of all these Cup matches is that Bees now sit fourth in the Cup table, and so in a semi-final place. If they can hold on for the remaining 5 games, we may well see them in their first ever (to my knowledge) semi. Fingers crossed....