Tag Archives: Preview

Solihull (H) Preview

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The Nottingham Lions’ face their final test of the season against local rivals Solihull Barons on Sunday evening in the CapitalFM Arena (7.30pm face off), followed by the presentation of the league championship trophy.

Stuart Parker celebrates a goal against his former club during the Lions 8-3 win over the Barons back in January.

Due to high ticket demand from both the Nottingham hockey faithful and the traveling Solihull supporters, the decision was made to switch the game from the Lions’ usual home of the Capital One rink, to the much grander surroundings of next-door’s arena pad.

This now provides an opportunity for all Panthers fans who will have been watching the play off quarter-final against Fife to give themselves an extended Easter Sunday hockey-fix by taking their Panthers ticket to the box office after the game to gain entry to the Lions’ big season finale for just £3.

Not only will you get to see two fierce Midlands rivals battle it out on the hallowed arena pad but also, with no school or work for many on Monday morning – there simply has never been a better time to catch a Lions game!!

A win for Matt Bradbury’s side would be a great end to what has been an outstanding season for the Lions, whilst a victory for Solihull would secure them second place in the table and a two-legged promotion/relegation playoff against their Division One-based, West Midlands rivals Coventry Blaze.

A sneek preview of the NIHL Division Two North championship trophy.

When the two teams first met at the Hobs Moat Road rink back in December, goals were in short-supply for both teams as Matt Bradbury’s men came away with a narrow 2-1 win. All the goals came in the first period, as Jake Larkin put the Barons ahead inside the first three minutes but strikes from Gareth O’Flaherty and Luke Branin meant the Lions came away with the spoils.

January’s return game at the National Ice Centre saw Nottingham storm to an 8-3 victory. A first period hat-trick from Joe Wightman and a goal against his former club, on his Lions debut from Stuart Parker, helped secure another massive win for the home side in their quest for promotion.

However, Nottingham will be licking their wounds and planning their revenge after last Sunday’s uncharacteristic 8-0 defeat at Solihull Ice Rink.

The Lions should be largely unchanged from last Sunday’s road defeat, although they will be hoping to see the return of ex-Panthers hero Simon Hunt, whilst Reece Glossop continues to miss out as he serves a suspension.

Matchday Ticket Prices:

Adults: £5.00

Children (under 16) & OAP’s: £3.00

Students (with NUS card): £2.50

Panthers Season Ticket Holders: £3.00 (Panthers season ticket must be shown)

Panthers vs Fife Ticket Holders: £3.00 (if bought after the Panthers game)

Tickets can be bought on game night or can be booked in advance by ringing 0843 373 3000 between 9am and 9pm Monday to Sunday or by visiting the National Ice Centre Box Office in person between 8am -9pm Monday to Sunday.

Tickets are available for collection only and all major credit & debit cards are accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: All Panthers v Fife tickets holders must go to the box office after the Panthers game to purchase their discounted Lions ticket. Panthers tickets will not be accepted for the discount at the box office before or during the Panthers game.

All spectators will be required to have a ticket for this game including club members and partners.

All players for the Nottingham Junior Ice Hockey Club are entitled to gain free entry to the game. To gain free entry all players must go to the Box Office and show there Ice Locker discount card and they will be issued with a free ticket. (This is only available on the night)

Coaches/Managers of the Nottingham Ice Hockey Club are also entitled to gain free entry to the game. To gain free entry all coaches/managers must go to the Box Office and show there EIHA registration card and they will be issued with a free ticket. (This is only available on the night)

All accompanying guests of the players, coaches and managers of Nottingham Ice Hockey Club are still subject to the full admission price.

Solihull (A) Preview

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The Nottingham Lions face one of their toughest away encounters of the season this Sunday, as they travel to face local-rivals Solihull Barons at Solihull Ice Arena. (6pm face off).

Joe Wightman – Scored a first period hat-trick in the Lions’ 8-3 win over the Barons at the NIC back in January.

The Barons know that if Deeside win at Hull on Saturday evening, then nothing less than a victory will suffice if they are to maintain their challenge for the all-important second place play-off spot and with the likes of Richard Slater, Jake Larkin and former Coventry Blaze forward Joe Henry banging in the goals for them this season, Nottingham should underestimate their hosts at their peril.

Despite only playing for pride and local bragging rights, having already been crowned NIHL Division 2 North champions earlier in the month, the Lions will still be looking to collect the two points and make it seven wins in a row after a fantastic recent run of results, which has seen them score sixty-nine goals in just six games, whilst conceding only five.

However, when the two teams met at the Hobs Moat Road rink back in December, goals were in short-supply for both teams as Matt Bradbury’s men came away with a narrow 2-1 win. All the goals came in the first period, as Jake Larkin put the Barons ahead inside the first three minutes but strikes from Gareth O’Flaherty and Luke Branin meant the Lions came away with the spoils.

January’s return game at the National Ice Centre saw Nottingham storm to an 8-3 victory. A first period hat-trick from Joe Wightman and a goal against his former club, on his Lions debut from Stuart Parker, helped secure another massive win for the home side in their quest for promotion.

Nottingham should be largely unchanged from the line-up that demolished a short-benched Fylde Flyers side at the NIC last Sunday. Although it remains unclear whether ex-Panther Simon Hunt will travel, whilst defenseman Elliot Perrin looks likely to return after missing out on last weekend’s goal-fest.

If you are planning to make the short journey south to roar on the champions, in what is sure to be a great game played in a fantastic atmosphere – admission is £6 for adults, £3 concessions and a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) costs £16.

Do not despair if you can’t make the game – our official twitter feed will keep you right up to date with all the action as it happens on the night, so make sure you give us a follow!

Fylde (H) Preview

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Fylde Flyers are the visitors to the home of the league champions this Sunday (7.15pm) as the newly-crowned, title winners aim to stretch their unbeaten run to six games.

“Champions!!!!” – The Lions celebrate clinching the NIHL Division Two North title after beating Blackburn.

There is sure to be a celebratory, St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere at the National Ice Centre after the Lions secured promotion last Sunday, following a 15-0 drubbing of Blackburn Eagles.

The Lions have been in fine form of late, scoring fifty-four goals in their last five games and conceding just five. However, Matt Bradbury’s men will know that if the Lancashine-based outfit sense any inkling of complacency from Nottingham, now the title is in the bag, they could be in for a tough evening.

The Lions have notched up three wins from three over the Flyers this season. In their first game of the campaign at the Sub Zero Ice Rink back in September, the Lions took away a 7-4 win. An Ollie Betteridge hat-trick helped them overcome a 2-0 first period deficit.

December saw the Flyers on the end of a 12-0 thrashing from Nottingham at the NIC, thanks to a four goal haul from Joe Wightman and two strikes apiece from Mikey Rose and Luke Branin.

Last Saturday saw the Lions fire another dozen past Fylde on their way to clinching the title with a crushing 12-3 victory on the Flyers’ home ice. Christy Johnson-Bown was the star of the show, collecting five goals and two assists.

Top-scorer Joe Wightman should return for Sunday’s clash after missing last weekends festivities along with Jose Leon, whilst Reece Glossop will miss out through suspension.

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s night than with a few beers from the NIC bar and the champions strutting their stuff out on the ice! Come on down and help roar on the boys to victory!!!

Matchday Ticket Prices:

Adults: £5.00

Children (under 16) & OAP’s: £3.00

Students (with NUS card): £2.50

Panthers Season Ticket Holders: £3.00
(Must show Panthers season ticket)

Tickets can can be bought on game nights or can be booked in advance by ringing 0843 373 3000 between 9am and 9pm Monday to Sunday or by visiting the National Ice Centre Box Office in person between 8am -9pm Monday to Sunday.

Tickets are available for collection only and all major credit & debit cards are accepted.

Fylde (A) & Blackburn (H) Preview

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The Nottingham Lions could be crowned NIHL Division Two North champions this weekend if they can gain maximum points from games against the division’s bottom two teams.

The Lions head to the Lancashire coast on Saturday evening to face the Fylde Flyers (5pm) before returning home to host Blackburn Eagles at the National Ice Centre on Sunday (7.15pm) in their first and only two-game weekend of the season.

Nottingham currently sit firmly in the driving seat at the top of the table, knowing just four more points from their remaining five fixtures will secure them promotion back to Division One North.

However, the Lions are aware that victories are far from a foregone conclusion against any team in their division and they will be have to be in good form to take anything away from Fylde’s intimidating and compact rink.

Lions’ Jamie Hovell in action against the Flyers.

Nottingham have notched up two wins from two over the Flyers so far this season. In their first game of the season at the Sub Zero Ice Rink back in September, the Lions took away a 7-4 win. An Ollie Betteridge hat-trick helped them overcome a 2-0 first period deficit.

December saw the Flyers on the end of a 12-0 thrashing from Nottingham at the NIC, thanks to a four goal haul from Joe Wightman and two strikes apiece from Mikey Rose and Luke Branin.

On Sunday, a hapless Blackburn Eagles side are the visitors to the NIC, still searching for their first points of the season.

Nottingham came away from Blackburn Ice Arena with a 7-0 win back in September with Gareth O’Flaherty, Ben Wood and Mikey Rose among the goalscorers. November saw the Eagles on the end of a 13-0 hammering by the Lions at the National Ice Centre, thanks to braces from Joe Wightman, Christy Johnson-Brown and Ollie Betteridge.

Last weekend saw Nottingham hit double figures again as they ran out 13-2 victors on their return to Blackburn. Dan Hazeldine, Mikey Rose, Joe Wightman, Luke Branin and Gareth O’Flaherty all grabbing two goals each.

Lions’ defenseman Craig Wallis taking on the Eagles in September.

On paper, this Eagles side would seem like easy pickings for Matt Bradbury’s men but Blackburn represent tough, physical opposition and they will be relishing the chance to become party poopers should the Lions be able pick up two points in Fylde on Saturday.

Nottingham are hoping for the return of Christy Johnson-Brown and Jose Leon who missed last Saturday’s win through injury/illness, whilst netminder Alan Levers also returns and is available for selection.

If you are unable to make the trip up north to cheer on the boys this Saturday – don’t forget you can follow all the action as it happens by following the Lions’ official Twitter feed.

Ticket details for Sunday’s potential promotion party against the Eagles are available by clicking here.  Entry for adults is just £5, whilst special discounts are available for children, OAPs, students and Panthers season ticket holders.

So get yourselves down to the NIC to help roar on the Lions to victory in what could be a night to remember and a very special evening in Nottingham’s hockey history!

Blackburn (A) Preview

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Title-chasing Nottingham Lions head to Lancashire this Saturday as they prepare to face a lowly Blackburn Eagles side who are still yet to register a single point this season.

The Lions currently sit on top of NIHL Division Two North one point clear of their nearest rivals Sheffield and Deeside, they also have two and three games in hand over both teams respectively.

Joseph Steeples in action for the Lions during their 7-0 win at Blackburn back in September.

In this potential ‘banana-skin’ tie, Matt Bradbury’s men will know they cannot let their concentration levels fall, even if the league’s bottom side are currently averaging a record of nearly nine goals conceded per-game and just one scored.

The Lions know that if they are to maintain their push for promotion they have to approach this game in a professional manner and take nothing for granted as they aim to come away with their seventh road win of the season and another vital two points.

Nottingham came away from Blackburn Ice Arena with a 7-0 win back in September with Gareth O’Flaherty, Ben Wood and Mikey Rose among the goalscorers. November saw the Eagles on the end of a 13-0 hammering by the Lions at the National Ice Centre, thanks to braces from Joe Wightman, Christy Johnson-Brown and Ollie Betteridge.

Currently the only change in the Lions roster for the weekend’s action is the return of Sam Gospel in-between the pipes. Sam made a brief cameo appearance in final few minutes of Sunday’s 8-0 home win over Hull Stingrays, after his compatriot Alan Levers had to leave the ice with an injury However, with both goalies having been in fine form all season, this is unlikely to pose Nottingham any major headaches.

If you are unable to make the journey to support the boys then remember you can keep up to date with all the action as it happens by following the official Lions Twitter feed from the face off at 5.45pm.