Sunday at the Hallam FM Arena featured two penalty shoutouts one between Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers after overtime, with the Steelers netting the only shootout goal. Then the other after the first period were three of the Mavericks players took on the Bears.

Dave Packwood (Sheffield) Missed
Anthony D’Aversa (Nottingham) Scored
Nick Manning (Sheffield) Scored
Tom Larcombe (Nottingham) Missed
Thomas Brooks (Sheffield) Missed
Mark Illingworth (Nottingham) Missed

Dave Packwood (Sheffield) Missed
Anthony D’Aversa (Nottingham) Scored
Nick Manning (Sheffield) Scored
Tom Larcombe (Nottingham) Missed
Thomas Brooks (Sheffield) Missed
Mark Illingworth (Nottingham) Scored

Netminder
Tom Davey (Nottingham)
??????????? (Sheffield)

Goals scored by Stuart Bliss, Colm Cannon, Mark Illingworth, Tom Larcombe and Joe Millard

Captains Report To Follow

After a shocking start to the 06/07 campaign the B team knew that they had to perform against a determined Newcastle side. This match saw the introduction of two new players to the B team line up in Mike Furlong and Adam Bratley, these two experienced players brought confidence to the side and it showed.

Right from the start the Mavericks played a strong hard game which lead to numerous penalties that in-turn lead to shorthanded situations, however this proved no problem for Nottingham as they moved the puck well all night even when down a player.

It didn’t take long for Nottingham to establish a comfortable lead that resulted in a demoralised Newcastle side, yet the Mavericks kept pushing, perhaps a little too hard at times with a few players, Alex Lacy included, making frequent trips to the penalty box.

As the time ticked away Newcastle became like spectators as the Mavericks pulled off a convincing 9-0 victory…. Goalie Dave could have stayed at home for this one!
Andy Duke (B Team Captain)

On Friday the 27th of october the A team had their first game against Cambridge. Based on last years clear victory the team went in to the game with a positive attitude but not too complacent. Michael Snook, a new addition to the team this year, started in net for the first half of the game with Tom Devey taking the second half of the game.

The game got underway and with in the opening minute took two penalties. Stuart Bliss got the first goal for the Mavericks and put them one nil ahead. Cambridge came back and scored a defelcted goal that only just trickeled over the line. The next goal was scored by another new addition to the team, Mike Davie, who didn’t just stop there. Bliss got the third goal to help increase the gap between the two teams. It was once again Mike who scored and made it 4 to 1. Just before the end of the first period Captain Colm Cannon put one past the keeper to make it 5 to 1.

The game continued in this fashion, the mavericks showing their clear strength and ability to dominate with a total of 14 goals being scored and only 2 being conceaded. Other goals were scored by Claire, Alex, Tom, Joe, Marlon and Anthony. Two players scored hattricks, Mike Davie and Colm Cannon, who was also named man of the match. This first succesful win was a good two points for the mavericks and helped build moral for what looks to be a strong season ahead.

Colom Cannon (A Team Captain)

C team vs RAF Bluewings 8-7

It’s easy to see from the score line that this was an end to end and fairly evenly matched friendly, save a couple of Bluewings players who would have been more at home facing the B team. Throughout the entire game neither team was really able to establish any kind of prolonged dominance which led to the lead changing hands several times. Nottingham made it 8-6 late into the 3rd period with the third of Nathan Stowe’s goals, which earned him a thoroughly deserved Man of the Match award. Special mention must also go to Ryan Noble-Gresty for his goal and two assists, and also Neil ‘Frodo’ Ellerton for his NHL-like top shelf beauty. Despite the heavy goal tally against (the majority of which were scored or created by a player of extremely high ability) the entire defence was strong and well organised throughout, backed up as ever by Goalie Dave Smith who made a string of good saves.

In the end the Mavs deserved their victory in an exciting game cheered on by some vocal away support, including the Duke who ended up getting back at 5am with the team when he only came to the Sports Centre to lend us his shirt! That doesn’t mean that you can poach any of our players though Andy.

A glorious and deserved victory!

Chris McHugh (Captain)

Goals         Assists
Ryan           Ryan
Tristan        Chris H, Nathon
Nathon
Adam          Triston
Callum
Neil             Ryan, David
Nathon        Ryan
Nathon        Ryse

Dave Smith Shots on 14 1st Period, 13 2nd Period and 9 3rd Period

Penalties Chris McHugh 4mins

Man of the Match Nathon Stowe

 21/10/06

This match was always set to be a touch grudge match between two rival teams. With news that the Bears had a strong squad this season the Mavericks knew that they would have to dig in from the outset.

The first period began with strict refereeing taking its toll on both teams. For the Mavericks it was myself who took the first penalty just 3.46 into the game, shortly after Neil Curtis found his way into the box on the account of roughing, followed by his D partner Rich Renshaw. The mavericks were unable to create any offensive opportunities in this penalty stricken period. The first ended at 0-0 with Alex Lacy in the box serving a cross checking penalty.

Going into the second the Mav’s knew that they had to keep it clean and try and focus on the offensive side of the game. Speed was the key in this period; this was proven by the strong skating of the Nottingham forwards. The period saw end to end action with Goalie Dave Crowther facing many fierce attempts on net. With the sheer amount of shots taking its toll on Crowther the netminding duties were handed over to Zoe Cowen-Vince. As the team pushed on they found themselves rewarded with the opening goal, coming from Rick Symes assisted by myself and Anna Cooper. However the Mav’s were unable to keep the pressure on and the Bears soon bounced back to take the period 3-1.

An exhausted Nottingham team entered the 3rd with the belief that they could turn this game around. However the tired legs of the Mav’s defence resulted in the floodgates opening; Sheffield shots poured onto the Nottingham net, with these shots came goals. Frustration started to show as penalties came from Paul Williamson and Luke Moody, the game began to slip away from the Mav’s. The Bears began to dictate the flow of the game and easily finished Nottingham off, taking the final period 5-0.

The final result 8-1.