News

Rink round up

Thursday, 13th January 2005

Wednesday night's matchplay came in the shape of cross league competition in Nottingham when the Panthers hosted the Newcastle Vipers, and Challenge Cup action in the Semi Final first leg fixture between Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils.

Nottingham got onto the scoresheet early with a goal inside of two minutes from David Clarke, and the Panthers held on to their lead until a marker from Michael Tasker tied the game for the Vipers.  Despite outshooting their visitors, the hosts were kept at bay until 56.02 when Calle Carlsson found the net to give the Panthers a 2-1 win.

Up the M1 in Sheffield it was a tight competition as the Steelers opened up the scoring with a goal from Mark Dutiame towards the end of the first period.  The lead was short-lived as Nathan Rempel put Cardiff on the scoreboard early in the second, and then another goal from Rempel put the Devils ahead going into the second interval.  Sheffield upped the ante and kept Cardiff on the back foot all through the third period, finding the net through Ron Shudra on the powerplay to draw the game level.  The second leg will be played in Cardiff on January 20th.

Belfast Giants netminder Martin Klempa will serve his one match ban this Saturday when the Giants host Basingstoke Bison, with Hugh Smyth taking over as back-up whilst Chris McGimpsey steps between the pipes before Klempa returns for the fixture against Nottingham on Sunday.  Klempa picked up a match penalty for kicking in last Sunday's game at Basingstoke.
 
by Richard Allan

Rank Team Name Played Won Drawn Lost G GA Points Goal Difference
1 Cardiff Devils 32 21
(OT:2)
2 9
(OT:1)
100 73 45 27
2 Coventry Blaze 32 18
(OT:1)
5 9
(OT:4)
109 68 45 41
3 Belfast Giants 32 19
(OT:2)
5 8
(OT:1)
104 64 44 40
4 Sheffield Steelers 34 19
(OT:6)
3 12
(OT:2)
85 72 43 13
5 Nottingham Panthers 32 16
(OT:0)
5 11
(OT:4)
99 72 41 27
6 London Racers 31 11
(OT:2)
6 14
(OT:1)
63 76 29 -13
7 Basingstoke Bison 34 8
(OT:0)
5 21
(OT:1)
80 123 22 -43