Monthly Archives: April 2012

Lions’ Name Up In Lights For Playoff Showdown

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Anyone travelling past the Bolero Square side of the National Ice Centre over the past few days may have already seen the impressive electronic advertisement for the Lions v. Sutton Sting relegation playoff 2nd leg clash on Sunday 13th May.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With plenty at stake for both sides this local derby game promises to be a cracker and the Lions organisation are pulling out all the stops to ensure there is a bumper crowd inside the Capital FM Arena to cheer on the Lions come faceoff at 5pm.

The first leg takes place on Saturday 12th May at Ice Sheffield, followed by the return leg just 24 hours later back in Nottingham with the winner over the two legs securing their place in next season’s ENL Division 1 North.

Ticket Prices:
Adults £5.00
Children (Under 16) & OAP’s £3.00
Students (with NUS Card) £2.50
Panthers Season Ticket Holders (must show Panthers Season Ticket) £3.00

Tickets are available in advance from the Arena Box Office or via the Arena Ticket Hotline – 0843 373 3000.

Tickets will be available to buy from the Arena Box Office on the day of the game but we strongly recommend you arrive early to avoid any possible queues.

A competition for your chance to win two tickets to the big game can be found by clicking here.

Chris Colegate Celebrates Twelve Years As A Lion

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Nottingham Lions would like to wish Chris Colegate all the best with his testimonial game tomorrow afternoon.

Since 1999, the still sprightly, 27 year old has iced for both the Nottingham Junior Ice Hockey Club and the Lions.

Chris played in the ED1 (now the ENL) in the 1999/2000 season and then went onto play for two seasons in the English Premier League (EPL) 2000/01 and 2001/02 as the team stepped up in class to play against the pros. During this period Chris weighed in with 9 goals and 8 assists in 28 games (2001-02) and 9 goals and 6 assists in 32 games (2002-03).

The left winger struck up a lethal partnership with Joe Wightman that has tormented many a defence and netminder over the years and has led the team to many successful campaigns.

Current Lions Coach Matt Bradbury brought Chris through to the Lions from the junior set up to make the big step into senior hockey at only 15 years of age and Matt spoke to nottinghamlionsenl.com this week about Colegate’s time with the organisation;

“He was not the biggest guy on the ice, but what I saw in him when he first came through to the Lions was how hard he worked, how much heart and passion he had for the game and this was clear to see at such an early age.”

“He is still a great player to this day and such a true professional.  All players look up to Chris and he was always that go to guy and he never let his team mates down.”

“Chris deserves this day and we hope he has a great night, cherishes it and the fans turn out in his honour.”

Back in December, Chris picked up and injury against Telford having played in 15 games but having already racked up 10 goals and 15 assists, he still finished third top points scorer in the team and Bradbury was in no doubt what a big loss to the team he was;

“As the season has gone on we lost our Captain on the ice and we have missed his experience and I’m quite sure we wouldn’t be in the position we are in right now if Chris had managed to play. “

“I remember he was asked in a player’s questionnaire given to him in the 2000-01 season, what four important qualities he could bring to the Lions squad, he answered – “Commitment, Positive Attitude, High Work Rate and Never Quit” – there is no doubt that Chris stuck to his word and gave all this and so much more!”

Congratulations to Chris from all at The Lions Pride!

Win Tickets To See The Lions V Sutton

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For all ice hockey fans out there – we have a great prize up for grabs!!

2 tickets to the Relegation Play Off Final Second Leg between the Nottingham Lions and the Sutton Sting on Sunday 13th May 2012 Faceoff 5pm at the National Ice Centre.

The game promises to be a cracker, being a local derby with so much at stake.  The first leg takes place on Saturday 12th May 2012 at Ice Sheffield with the return leg just 24 hours back in Nottingham.  The winner over the two legs will maintain/gain status in the ENL Northern A League.

To be in with a chance of winning this prize you need to answer the following question:

Which former Nottingham Lions player played for the Elite League Cardiff Devils in the 2011-12 season?

The answer must be sent via email to: nottinghamlions@hotmail.co.uk including your name and your contact details.

Closing date for this competition is Friday 4th May 2012 at 11:30am.

The winner will be notified by email.

Rose Returns From GB Duty

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The Nottingham Lions’ number 12, Danny Rose, last week returned from the IIHF World Under 18s Division 2a Championships in Heerenveen, Holland after being selected to play for the Great Britain Under-18′s squad.

Danny Rose in action for Great Britain in Holland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The week long tournament ended with the Brits finishing in a very respectable fourth place after a 4-3 victory against Holland, a 6-0 demolition of Croatia and two narrow defeats to the top two sides Korea and Romania.

The 17 year-old Lion weighed in with an impressive three assists and one goal over the five games and has now added the GB appearances to his already impressive CV, having previously been selected for England Juniors and the Midland Conference select side.

Congratulations to Danny from all at the Lions’ pride.

Sting Playoff Dates Confirmed

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The dates for Nottingham Lions’ relegation playoff fixtures against local rivals, Sutton Sting have been announced, with an action packed and drama filled, May weekend in prospect.

The Lions will be battling to retain their place in the English National League Division 1 North after finishing in 8th place, whilst the Sutton Sting, who finished as runners-up in Division 2, will be pulling out all the stops to round off their season with a promotion.

Both games will take place over one weekend, in what will be the first competitive meeting between the two sides and the first Nottinghamshire senior hockey derby game for many a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sting are based at the Lammas Leisure Centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield, although they play all their home games at Ice Sheffield as their own rink is too small for senior hockey.

The first leg will be played at Ice Sheffield on Saturday 12th May with a 3.15pm faceoff. Ticket details for this game will be announced as soon as we have them, for those that wish to follow the Lions up the M1.

The return leg is just 24 hours later on Sunday 13th May, at the National Ice Centre, in the lofty surroundings of CapitalFM Arena Rink and will faceoff at the earlier than usual time of 5pm.

Lions’ Head Coach Matt Bradbury had time for a quick chat with nottinghamlionsenl.com and is clearly looking forward to the challenge ahead, he commented;

“It’s been nice to have a few weekends off away from hockey - the break will have really done everyone the world of good.  Whilst we await the big weekend we must maintain our efforts at training and focus on the job in hand.”

“We’ll approach the game as we have done all season, in a professional manner, we’ll roll up our sleeves and get to work.  We appreciate that Sutton have had an excellent season in ENL 2 and that’s what will make both ties so intriguing and i’m sure that it will be a weekend for both sets of players, organisations and fans to remember.”

“As a team we have had a difficult season this year, but as a squad and as an organisation we achieved so much – the future of the Lions looks bright on the playing front with so many good youngsters having got a solid season of senior hockey behind them with regular ice as well as the great support from the more senior players that have had a focused and steadying effect with the young guns.”

“We are most definitely looking forward to the back to back games with Sutton and it makes for a great weekend of hockey and I encourage as many people with hockey withdrawal symptoms in Nottingham to come along and support the Lions at the National Ice Centre.”

This is a derby game that cannot fail to capture the imagination of the Midlands’ and Nottinghamshire’s hockey loving public. So come on down and join the roar, in what should prove to be a thrilling end to the season.

Ticket Prices:
Adults £5.00
Children (Under 16) & OAP’s £3.00
Students (with NUS Card) £2.50
Panthers Season Ticket Holders (must show Panthers Season Ticket) £3.00

Tickets are available in advance from the Arena Box Office or via the Arena Ticket Hotline – 0843 373 3000.

Tickets will be available to buy from the Arena Box Office on the day of the game but we strongly recommend you arrive early to avoid any possible queues.