27th Nov
Bracknell lost 3-1 tonight, away to the Bison in the league. more details will appear on the Fixtures Page when I have them
24th Nov
More news on the new player, thanks to Dave Qua.
He is reported to be Colin Ward, a forward who played for Gardena of Italy last year, scoring 96 points from 46 games. Before that, he played in the ECHL for Nashville, racking up 52+55 in 65 games. He has played alongside both Greg Burke and Bernie previously.
Colin is 26 years old, weighs 200lbs and is 6 foot tall. He is expected to fly in tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.
Also, Jim has had to fly back to Canada, because of a death in his family. He is not expected to have returned for the Bison game on Thursday, but should be back in time for saturday's game against Ayr. Dave will be bench coach in his absence.
23rd Nov
Bees beat the Panthers 3-1 at home tonight, to move back into sixth. A goal from Jeff Johnstone, and two from Wayde Bucsis (one a powerplay and one an empty netter), sealed the comprehensive victory over the second placed team. The result put Bracknell back above the Bison, who yesterday moved into sixth after beating the steelers 10-7. More details of tonight's game will appear here later.
Rumours abound that a new forward will be flying into the country for the Bees tomorrow. more news as and when I hear it.
19th Nov
Bees were beaten 4-3 tonight, at home and by the Steelers. however, they still took a point from the match. The game was in the Express Cup, which uses ISL rules, so went to overtime when the scores were still drawn after 60 minutes. For more details, go to here. This means that Bracknell have played three and taken three points, leaving them well placed in the table.
16th Nov
Bracknell lost last night to the Cobras, but still took a point. The final score was 5-4, but Bracknell earned the extra point by holding on till Overtime before losing the game. This means that Bracknell stay fifth, due to Bison losing tonight. More details will appear here when I get them.
15th Nov
Bracknell lost tonight 8-4, away in Ayr. This is the second defeat by the Eagles in four days. More details will appear on the Fixtures Page when I have them.
Bracknell travel to Newcastle, tomorrow, and will hope to return with two points. However this will not be an easy task as, after losing their first eight games, the Cobras have parted with coach Rick Brebant and installed Dale Lambert in his place. In his first game in charge, the Cobras beat third placed Panthers 5-4.
14th nov
Bracknell are reportedly close to signing two new players, one defender and one forward. A report in the Reading Evening Post said this...
Jim Fuyarchuk has identified two new players ha would like to bring in to strengthen Bracknell Bees' Superleague campaign. Bees' coach is now waiting to see if the prospective recruits can agree personal terms. Fuyarchuk declined to say what positions the players would fill but a defenceman and forward seem likely. A 4-2 Express Cup defeat at home to Ayr Scottish Eagles two days ago left Fuyarchuk with much to ponder. He said, "Defensively we were sloppy, and not at all consistent in carrying out our responsibilities." He praised the contribution of second-choice netminder, Brian Greer who stopped all but four of the 70 shots he faced. "Brian played really well, but we left him exposed at times. It was a sloppy boarding game from both sides and I expected more from us and I will expect better when we play them tomorrow in the Superleague. We will have to be a lot stronger in our own zone and when there's a one on one. Ayr have four lines and a very potent offence so we will need to be disciplined in defence. We cannot afford to open up the game. We have to be patient for our chances. Ayr had another game in Wales last night so they'll be travelling today and hopefully they'll be a little tired when they play us." There was no doubt that Bees missed accomplished defenceman Shayne McCosh in midweek. McCosh was ruled out by the concussion he suffered in last Sunday's win against the Cobras, but should be back for tomorrow's trip to Ayr and Sunday's game at Newcastle.
14th Nov
Here's some old extracts from the Reading Evening Post...
Dated 11th Nov
Coach Jim Fuyarchuk watched his Bracknell Bees side climb into the top half of the table for the first time this season and declared, "This is where we aim to stay".............That's not to say that the Bees' coach has conceded any chance of winning the title, but he recognises that with limited resources against bigger clubs his team would need to stay injury free and require maybe more than their share of luck. "We don't believe that first place is an unrealistic target, and we are certainly capable of beating everybody in the Superleague," he said, "but we are not a big budget team and to finish top we would have to get a lot of lucky bounces. Moving up to fourth place, though, is a big vote of confidence for the team and the way they have been playing."
Fuyarchuk was particularly pleased that, after the 9-3 mid-week mauling at Nottingham Panthers, Bees were able to tighten up in defence this weekend. That was quickly demonstrated by Saturday's 5-2 win at Basingstoke Bison............ Fuyarchuk said, "We spoke beforehand about our defensive responsibilities and about how important it was to get off to a winning start and establish some momentum." Fuyarchuk described Wayde Bucsis chances of returning for the visit of Ayr Scottish Eagles in the Express Cup tomorrow night (8pm) as very good. "To beat Ayr we will need to stay disciplined because they are a team that can grow frustrated if they do not score. They have four good lines that can all upset defences and they have very solid goaltending. They have made only one change in defence but have tightened up considerably."
Fuyarchuk is continuing to search to strengthen Bees' squad before the December 15 deadline. The new recruit's quality will matter more than whether he is a defenceman or forward. "We have some flexibility in our line-up and basically I am looking for players in all positions with good character and ability, but its not a quick process and I'm still working on it."
Meanwhile the failure of Dale Junkin.........to find the net again at the weekend remains of little concern to Fuyarchuk. "Dale's annoyed because he wants to do better but he can't afford to get frustrated. He has to stay patient. I'm not worried about it because I know the goals will come."
Dated 7th Nov
Fuyarchuk backs Bees ace
Bracknell Bees forward Dale Junkin will be aiming to break his Superleague duck at the seventh attempt on Sunday..............The 24 year old Canadian has the perfect chance to end his goal famine though in Sunday's clash against bottom club Newcastle Cobras. Bees coach Jim Fuyarchuk is not over-concerned by Junkin's disappointing form around the net. "Junks made a slow start last year and he ended up as top points scorer for the whole Superleague. Some guys start off strong and tail off. Junks is not known to jump out of the gate but he's a smart player who will come through this and score us goals."
Junkin, who hit seven goals in eleven B&H Cup games is sure to fancy his chances against a Newcastle side who have lost all seven Superleague matches. Fuyarchuk insists the North-East team are a lot better than their record suggests. "I am very surprised they have not done better," said the Bees' coach, who admits his own team's poor defensive play in Tuesday's 9-3 defeat at Nottingham has given him cause for concern. "We did take some chances because we were chasing the game early on and had to make up some goals. And when you play high-risk hockey you are going to give other teams opportunities. Unfortunately Nottingham took those chances."
Brian Greer, who replaced shell-shocked netminder Mark Bernard for the last five minutes of the game, could start in Bees' opening fixture in the new Express Cup - away to Basingstoke Bison tomorrow(6.30pm).
"I probably won't decide who to go with until the night," said Fuyarchuk who is looking forward to another exciting derby showdown. "It doesn't matter what the competition is, these games against Basingstoke are always very competitive."
Basingstoke are expected to give a debut to forward Matt Sharrers, their new signing from Team Canada. Sharrers' work permit has been approved but Basingstoke were still awaiting his ITC card yesterday. They will be without Greg Gatto who is ruled out by a hamstring injury.
Bees will be looking to extend their excellent penalty killing record this weekend. They have conceded just one goal in the 20 occasions they have been shorthanded in the Superleague - and even that goal is balanced by one at the other end.
Bees coach is continuing his efforts to strengthen the squad but there is no chance of any new signings before the weekend. "We've been talking seriously to several players," said Fuyarchuk, who has been watching recent transfer activity in Germany with interest. "But other teams with a little more money to spend are chasing these players as well as us so I may need a little luck if I am to get the player I want." (That just about sums it all up!!!!!!! The picture of Jim that accompanies the article shows him not looking best pleased)
12th Nov
Again, apologies for the lateness of all the news, I've been away on holiday...
Firstly, Bracknell were beaten tonight in the new Express Cup by Ayr at home. The final score was Bees 2 Eagles 4, with Bucsis and Brant scoring Bracknell's goals. More details will appear on the Fixtures Page.
Some news from the weekend. Bracknell met Bison at the Playground, on saturday, for their first game in the new Express Cup. The final score was Basingstoke 2 Bracknell 5. Then, on Sunday, Bees played the Cobras at home in the league, and finished 6-2 winners. Again more details will appear on the Fixtures Page.
Bracknell's victory over Newcastle lifted them to fourth place, their highest ever league position. Unfortunately, it was short-lived, Steelers victory over the Storm last night dropping Bracknell down to fifth. Still, not too bad.
Finally, the Express Cup game with Steelers has been moved back to the 19th of November, from the 20th.
5th Nov
Bracknell were gubbed 9-3 away at Nottingham, last night. More details will appear on the Fixtures Page when I get them.
3rd Nov
Bracknell beat Steelers 3-2 at home last night, 10 years and a day after their first match. Steelers took the lead through Tim Cranston, before Pelly levelled with a controversial goal. The puck hit the post and didn't appear to cross the line before bouncing out again. However, after consulting Boniface and the goal judge, Carson gave the goal. Whistle and Cranston scored in the second period to make it 2-2 at the end of the second, and it was the Chief who scored with less than 2 minutes to go to set up an exciting finish, and ensure Bracknell took both points. More details can be found at the Fixtures Page.