Jets stun Blaze in pursuit of play-off spot

Kingston Jets gave themselves a fighting chance of a play-off spot thanks to a 7-2 home victory over Coventry Blaze ENL.
The game began at a frantic pace and the Jets were quick to extinguish the Blaze as they secured a 4-0 1st period lead.
New signing Patrik Zgibor continued his fine form since signing from Sheffield Scimitars as he bagged the opener with a wrist shot after skating the length of the ice.
3 minutes later the Jets were 2-0 up thanks to a shorthanded marker from former Hull Thunder forward Mark Florence. Florence latched onto an inch perfect, tape to tape pass from Zgibor.
On 7:38 the hosts made it three as the same partnership combined for a second shorthanded goal on the same penalty kill.
Kingston all but ended the game 32 seconds before the first intermission when Dan Sayer and Matt Jeffcock assisted Adam Elliott for the Jets’ fourth.

It was obvious what had been said in the away dressing room during the break as it took the Blaze just 23 seconds to grab their first of the night.
However, Rodgers held strong between the pipes to eliminate any pressure the visitors had.
The Humberside outfit extended their lead on 38:14 through Matt Jeffcock with assists from Dan Sayer and Mark Florence.

The third period began with the Jets again on top. A scuffle behind the Blaze goal led to Jamie Cobley and Dan Sayer sitting 2+2 for roughing along with Hunt and Jones for the visitors.
Last seasons 7th place team weren’t finished yet though as pacey forward Ben Lowe celebrated his 18th birthday with a brace to end any hopes of a pleasant debut for Blaze back-up Jacob Smith.
Coventry did grab a late consellation but the night belonged to the Jets as they enjoyed a well-deserved victory.

Sam Cooper

Jet Blast 10-01-08

The Blaze currently sit in place in the league, points behind the leaders Nottingham. The teams met twice back in October. Here in Hull we managed only two late goals in a convincing 8-2 win for 20-man Coventry, and were outshot 65-31.

A similar high sniper rate (shots 51-31) from Coventry at the Skydome a couple of weeks later saw us concede two goals in the first 24 seconds. Players from both teams stopped to turn away for the icing call, and when amazingly the call didn’t come, Coventry reacted first to score after just 17 seconds. With our players seriously annoyed, the restart saw Ledgard bag another. He finished the game on 2+2, and despite good work by our two lines, Blaze won 6-3.

This season Coventry have lost 5 home games, drawing 2, and winning 2…giving 6 points. Their away form has been better with 2 losses, 1 draw and five wins…giving 11 points. They host Sheffield tomorrow night.

We come into tonights’ game with three games in hand on Coventry and Billingham, and straight off the back of two tough games.

Last Saturday we lost 0-3 at home to Whitley Bay Warriors. After conceding in the 13th minute, we kept busy and produced some excellent chances…but failed to score. Matching Warriors in shots on goal, we couldn’t find a way past Murdy. He was amazing! We were very much on top of the Warriors for long periods, and did well to stay out of trouble (only one minor penalty for us in the whole game!) but at 53:05 Nathan Taylor converted, followed by a third Warriors goal from Dale Howey.

The lads were disappointed not to have taken something, and this added a determination to our play the following evening in a ‘nothing’ Cup game in Blackburn. With new coaches Millie & Abel in place, Hawks have had quite a shake-up recently and look to be capable of climbing out of trouble. The game was played in front of an excitable 500 crowd, and with full passion from both teams.

Hawks took the lead after 12:31, despite us outshooting them. Andy had given the call to shoot on sight, and the lads responded well. With goals from Flo & Hacko, we led 2-1 at the end of the second. Clearly some chunky discussions had taken place in the Hawks dressing room and they started the final period in great style…three goals in less than three minutes for 4-2.

Jets wobbled, and Andy called a time-out to re-focus. With Hawks Millie in the box for tripping, Jets scored through Adam Elliott who showed much character by making an impressive & welcome return to the side. 4-3.

Less than a minute later, Kinder picked up a 2+10 penalty for a cheap hit on Holmsey, and rushed out of the way of trouble to the penalty box. Dunny approached him, and as he did so, Hawks’ Downey left the home bench and dropped the gloves. Dunny obliged, and as he reached to take off his helmet, Downey took the opportunity to rugby tackle him to the ground. Dunny flipped him over and completed a tidy job on him. This lifted Jets, as they watched a wobbly looking Downey head for the dressing room. Dunny got a 2+2.

Ben Lowe scored on the resulting power-play, before (just a minute later) Meikle grabbed a late powerplay equaliser for the Hawks.

Dunny ended the game with a strange shaped ‘popped’ shoulder, and Craig had a nasty cut to his finger. Both should be fine for today.

James Maughan returns this weekend, and for a few weeks now we have stayed out of the penalty box, allowing us to roll the lines.

Both Andy and I firmly believe we can push for the play-offs, and with the talent at his disposal, we have every chance!

This is a big game, make no mistake. Coventry had a terrible run where they took just one point from six games. They seem to have stopped the rot, and have taken 5 points from their last three games.
It should be a great game.

So, thank you for being with us this evening.
Enjoy this evenings’ game, and please join us afterwards in The Whittington & Cat.
Mine’s a lager…no sugar!

Cheers!
Slim-Clint.
Ps. We are in Nottingham tomorrow. Join us for a 7.30pm start. It will be a barn-burner!

Jet Blast 03-01-09

The Warriors sit in third place in the league, eight points behind the leaders Nottingham, but like ourselves, have games in hand.

The teams met 4 weeks ago, when a 22 strong Warriors team was too much for us to handle with just 13 players. We were outshot 34–16, and Warriors won convincingly 6-2.
Again, we had a two man referee system in use…again! And again, offside decisions played a part in frustrating both sides. However, we were beaten fairly & squarely. Six different Whitley scorers illustrated the strength in their squad. We’ll need to be at our very best to get the points tonight.

We come into tonights’ game off the back of two victories. On Sunday 21st December we met strong resistance from Newcastle. An early goal from Flo at 4:45 was the only impression we made in a tight first period. A further Flo goal at 30:11 was immediately answered by two Vipers goals in 2 minutes. 2-2 at the end of the second. A Wile slash was penalised on 57:24, and with just 40 seconds left, a well constructed powerplay was rewarded with the game winning goal. Craig scoring in great style with Ben Milhench grabbing his second assist. Richard Haggar made a welcome (& very impressive) return to the team, also grabbing an assist on the winner.

After the Christmas festivities, we travelled last Sunday to Billingham Bombers for a mid afternoon game. Out of form Bombers were clearly looking to this game to turn their fortune around, having lost ground with the league leaders recently. Adam, Dunny, Maughno & Barney were missing. Jets iced new ‘import’ signing, 19 year old defenceman Patrik Zgibor. Slovakian Patrik joins us from EPL team Sheffield Scimitars.

Bombers scored with a long range shot from Richie Thornton midway through the first, and shots were even at the break. However, a Bomber penalty at the start of the second period led to a well worked powerplay goal on 22:11 as Craig & Sayo assisted Patrik for his debut goal. A period of safe goaltending and some secure puck possession led to us getting a go-ahead second powerplay goal at 28:46, from Cobs. Bombers captain Windridge tied the game at 2:2.

As the third began, Ben Lowe was harshly adjudged a high-sticking minor. The Bombers tried everything, but time after time the Jets cleared their zone to kill off the penalty. This frustrated Bombers, and two minutes later, Ben Milhench scored a beauty after he headed half the length of the ice at breakneck speed to meet an inch-perfect pass from Flo, after good work on this line by Beachy. Yes…Milhench / breakneck speed! Just need to work on the stopping now Ben…he ended up in the boards!

There was no end to the drama, and as the home fans rallied their team for one last push, Bombers rewarded them with a Gibbon goal. 3-3 with ten minutes to play! Two minutes later, Craig grabbed his third assist as Jeffo fired the Jets into a 4-3 lead. After a stunned silence, the Bombers fans appeared to turn on their team (and their website forum has been lively ever since.) Jets added to the frustration with a sensible demonstration of solid puck possession, movement & passing. Nothing risky or cocky, just sensible possession. Bombers pulled the netminder Thurman in favour of an additional forward, but met with Jets forceful face-off strategies and good old ‘icing-the-puck!’

A marvellous road win for us, putting us right in there with a chance of a climb into a play-off spot. The secret here was our self belief and amazing discipline, just two penalty minutes in such a hostile rink.

Everyone played well. Stu stepped up onto a forward line, Karl was solid, and our debutant Patrik was assured and lively. He was fully deserving of his man of the match award. It was good to see how this performance lifted the dressing room, and we need to bring the same level of focus to the rink tonight.

Looking at the remaining games, and our chances of a real strong finish this year…

Billingham play in Blackburn, Newcastle (twice), Sheffield, Whitley and here.
They have home games with Blackburn, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield & Whitley (twice!)
I predict they will finish on 22 points.

Blackburn have to go to Coventry (twice), Whitley (twice), Sheffield & Billingham.
They will host us (twice), Sheffield, Whitley, Coventry & Billingham.
I predict they will finish on 18 points.

Coventry will play in Hull, Blackburn, Sheffield, Nottingham & Whitley.
They host us , Blackburn twice, Newcastle, Sheffield & Whitley.
I predict they will finish on 24 points.

We play in Blackburn (twice), in Whitley, and in Sheffield (a 4-pointer on 17th January at 4.30pm.)
We’ll host Whitley (twice including today), Nottingham (twice), Sheffield, Coventry & Billingham.
I predict we will finish on 23 points.

So, I reckon…

COVENTRY 24 (last play-off spot)
——————————
KINGSTON 23
BILLINGHAM 22
——————————
BLACKBURN 18 (relegation / promotion play-off spot)
==================
NEWCASTLE 10 (max) (relegated)

It will be very tight, and even to achieve safety will take a monumental effort…but that’s what we are about. As Andy constantly reminds the lads, we have a room full of talent. We can, if we use that talent, beat any team in this league. We are looking at a possible play-off finish here!

Enjoy this evenings’ game, and please join us afterwards in The Whittington & Cat.
Mine’s a lager…no sugar!

Cheers!
Slim-Clint.

Jet Blast 23-11-08

Our meeting with Newcastle back in September saw us win 6-4.

The game started at a frantic pace with Ben Lowe going close off the opening face off before Newcastle opened the scoring off the counter attack… Callum Davies netting after 32 seconds.
The Jets reply came just two shifts later, when Adam Elliott tied the game up, on the power play after 1.17 on a feed from his brother Craig Elliott after some hard work down low.

Kingston continued to pile pressure on the Vipers net throughout the first period and were duly rewarded on 10.35 when defenseman Jordan Davies fired home a wrist shot, assisted by Dan Sayer and Richard Haggar. Shots in the first period were 17-6 in favour of the Jets.

The second period continued in a similar way to the first, with the Jets dominating for a large proportion of the period. Richard Haggar added Kingston’s third goal after 27 minutes with a wrap around goal assisted by Dan Hackford and Mark Florence.

Ben Milhench extended the Jets lead to three goals, firing past the Vipers netminder with a wrist shot from the hash marks just before the end of the second period (39.18). Just twenty seconds later the Vipers reduced the deficit back to two after a defensive mix-up saw Graeme Robson poke the puck through Jets netminder Tristan Rodgers legs.

Newcastle came out early in the third period looking to catch the Jets on the back foot. However it was the Jets who opened the periods’ scoring with Dan Sayer ripping home a shot, assisted by Richard Haggar and Mark Florence.

The Vipers persistence finally paid off when Matt Hinkley scored two goals (45.26 & 50.30) setting up an interesting final ten minutes. Coach Andy Daintith called a time out to try and settle the team and help them reorganise.

Any potential nerves were settled four minutes later when Matt Jeffcock scored on a Craig Elliott assist from behind the net.

Since then, Jets have remained third from bottom of the league, with Blackburn & Newcastle below us. This season will see the bottom placed club relegated, and the second bottom team will play in a relegation / promotion play-off against the second placed North 2 team.

On Saturday we play in Sheffield, in the first of this weekends’ vital games. We have to make ground on Sheffield, and open up a gap over the bottom two.

Newcastle play at home to Blackburn on Saturday, who they beat in Blackburn for their only win this season.

Last weekend we were away in Flintshire. We took the cup points in some style, with Freeze unable to cope once our passing and movement had improved. Freeze had some penalty trouble and lost a couple of players.

I was amazed that when Craig was jumped by a player from the penalty bench, and a second player sat on him and punched the back of his helmet, then he was hacked in the back by a two handed axe like chop from above an opponents head…the linesmen and referee just stood back. Unbelievably, in the eleven minutes it took to sort out the penalties, the stick wielder escaped punishment.

Of concern was the nasty looking injury to Chris Jones of Freeze, who slid awkwardly into the boards and was stretchered off the ice in agony. We hear that he has ligament damage, and we wish him a full & speedy recovery.

Tristan had a great game for us, and was all smiles afterwards.

The lads have started to click now, and will be up for the points this weekend. Beachy has settled in, and it’s starting to come together now.
We really do not want to be sucked into a relegation battle, and the team know what’s needed.

Please play your part…
The lads have asked that you get out of the bar and into the seats downstairs. Remember last year when you helped push us on against Peterborough? Please come and make some noise down in the seats again…we really can’t hear you in the bar.

See you for a beer afterwards though?

Cheers!
Go Jets!

Clint.

Jet Blast 9-11-08

Last weekend saw Freeze win 6-1 in Bradford in the ENIHL League Two North. Freeze were disappointed to miss out on the top flight this season, and are determined to win the league and gain promotion to League One. They have started the season in tremendous league form, with 3 away wins notching up 26 goals with just 3 conceded! At home in the league they have 3 wins and a defeat (to Manchester) scoring 25 goals to 11 conceded. Saturday sees them play in Telford against the team tied with them at the top of the table.

In the Cup, they have lost at home to both Blackburn & Sheffield, and drawn with Solihull. They lost in Sheffield, and got an impressive 4-4 draw in Blackburn. However, the final buzzer saw match penalties (several of them) handed out.

We were in cup action last night in Sheffield, and after last weekends poor showing at home to Blackburn, this was a tough game. It’s clear we need a big win quickly. We are slipping behind in the league, and the cup is almost out of sight. I felt that last week we were very poor. We made Blackburn look like world beaters. (Actually, their net-minder probably is!)

By the way; I was impressed that the linesman was brave enough to bring the disgraceful spitting incident to the referees’ attention.

What is it with this player? We’ve picked up some dumb penalties over the years, but I haven’t seen any of our lads spit at an opponent, and then smash the dressing room window! He may well be lucky to be allowed back in the rink. Very sad really. You may remember that this is the player who tried to climb out of the penalty box at Blackburn to fight at the final whistle. And was sent out in his previous game in Hull, after he had stripped in the penalty box and offered an obscene gesture. Oh, and the guy sat on his own after his remarkable outburst towards me is apparently related! Nevertheless, we got beaten good and proper, and we’ll need to get something this evening.

Congratulations to Kieran Beach who makes his Jets debut this evening, and will no doubt impress a few people with his movement & vision. He’s a very quiet lad, and will develop his considerable skills further with the Jets to establish himself as a regular ENIHL player. He has trained with us for some time, and will enjoy his time with us I’m sure.

He’s the first of a handful of lads who can move up this year. Over the next two years we will have up to 30 squad players at ENIHL level. Exciting times.

Monday saw the KJIHC AGM take place at the rink. This was the perfect opportunity for you to ask, question, challenge and contribute to the clubs’ future. I am aware of the many issues that we face, and aware of the concerns of a number of people who wonder why the Jets are part of the KJIHC.
I guess they had some more pressing issues to attend to on that evening. I personally drove 120 miles in total to attend.

Just a personal view; but if you aren’t there to vote, or stand for committee, or propose changes, then it’s perhaps best not to question the massive effort that a few people contribute towards the future of this club. Do I have issues with some of the decisions made? Yes, I do. However in listening to the issues faced, I better understand the decisions made. If you weren’t represented at the meeting, perhaps you’ll think twice before offering an opinion. I’d be happy to speak with anyone about the above opinion.

Well it’s game time, and we need to pull on our winning trousers!

See you for a beer afterwards?

Cheers!
Go Jets!

Clint.
A stone & 1 lb lighter than a month ago!

Jet Blast 01-11-08

The ENIHL Cup has seen us lose 6-8 at home to Solihull Barons, and draw 3-3 away in Solihull with just two lines. Blackburn have lost a cup game 9-0 in Sheffield, drawn 4-4 at home to Flintshire, and won in Flintshire 5-7.

We met the Hawks here two weeks ago, and started brightly with a goal on 2:32 from Matt Jeffcock. Then a Hawks tripping penalty was punished with a Milhench goal a minute later.
This was all too much for one visiting spectator, who after a comical exchange was suddenly sat on his own!

After a powerplay reply from Tim McKay at 6:20, Florence scored his first of the evenings’ brace at 12:45…again with the Hawks having a player in the penalty box.

Ex Jet Chris Arnone seemed to have seen something wrong with the goal, and after an approach to the referee he was given two quick 10 minute misconduct penalties, and left the game.
The game was refereed by Louise Cranstone, and both teams were enormously frustrated by her judgements.

Jets went shorthanded as both Spurgeon & Cobley picked up penalties before the break, but a loss of focus on an attempted clearance by Hawks goalie Thirkettle fed Florence for his second, despite the 5-3 player advantage for the Hawks. Jets led 4-1, and Thirkettle began a long trudge back to his bench to be replaced by Baxendale.

At the end of the period, Hawks’ Bentham seemed unlucky to pick up a 10 minute misconduct penalty, as he fired the puck down the ice at the final whistle of the period.

At 24:01, Hawks’ Davies & Jets’ Dan Sayer had a disagreement, and as both entered the penalty box, Davies offered an obscene gesture. Then, in true Ned Braden style, he began to remove his kit in the penalty box, whilst goading the smiling Sayer. Ladies turned away. Fortunately, the officials spotted the behaviour, and Davies was given a match for the obscene gesture.

A goal on 29:23 from former Jet Carl Slater, was followed by Dunn and Bentham having a disagreement…before Craig Elliott scored at 38:22. End of the second, Jets led 5-2.

Hawks’ captain Michael Brunton added a third goal for the visitors at 50:16.
Then in the final stages, Craig Elliott & Richard Bentham collided on the blue-line, and Elliott stayed down. He’ll be out for 4 weeks with knee ligament damage.
With the penalty count 40 for Jets, and 83 for Hawks, Jets were back to winning ways.

Last weekend, the Jets were in league action in Coventry. We lost at home to them 2-8 recently.
This will have been a very tough test, and with the game clashing with our U-18s game, Ziggy, Hacko & Dunny unavailable, Haggar and Jordan gone, Craig injured…we’ll have had just 11 skaters.
(This report is being written the day before that game!)

Enjoy this evenings’ game, and please join us afterwards in The Whittington & Cat.

Cheers!
Slim-Clint.

Ps…Our next game is away in the cup at Sheffield next Saturday evening, and Sundays’ home cup game is with Flintshire Freeze at 5pm.

Jets Blast 18-10-08

Our home opener saw us lose 5-4 to the Hawks on 13th September, with penalty trouble and a Wayne Slater hat-trick costing us a result.

Last weekend, Blackburn picked up 3 cup points with a draw at home to Flintshire, and a 7-5 win in Flintshire the following evening.

So far in the league, Blackburn have lost at home to Newcastle, Nottingham & Whitley Bay. They lost 5-3 in Billingham, and their only win was against us.

We are currently placed 6th in the 8 team league, but there is a worrying gap opening above us. We need two points this evening! Whitley Bay host Nottingham tomorrow night, in what should be a barn burner.

We have trained hard over recent weeks, and last weekend saw us put up a real challenge to Sheffield.
Sam returned to the team, but with Ben Milhench missing through injury, and Hacko, Jordan & Richie out, we were up against it. Sheffield had 20 players on the bench, and started brightly with a 2-0 lead (Manning & Barron goals) at the end of the first, out shooting us by 18 to 8.

A third Sheffield goal from Squires on 32:59 saw Sheffield switch off somewhat. Jets then kicked into life, and 2 minutes later Sayer moved in from the point, and remained composed as he fired home a powerplay goal after good work from Cobs & Flo. Holmsey was standing on his head by this stage, and although we piled on the pressure with 21 shots, Bowns conceded just the one second period goal. Period tied 1-1.

The final period ended 0-0, and we again out shot our visitors (17-7), and finished strongly.
Final score 1-3.

It was disappointing to learn before last weekends’ game that Jordan Davies had stepped down from the team. Jordan is one of a handful of players who had grown & improved through Kingston Junior IHC, and he had developed into a steady ENIHL defenseman…with a fierce shot! However, he’s decided that he wants to leave, so we wish him well.

Our line-up has seen many chops and changes so far, and once Andy is able to get the lads playing with regular line-mates, I’m sure we’ll see the season turn round. The dressing room benefits greatly from Andy allowing the lads to discuss their performances honestly & without fear. It’s great to hear Flo give his ideas and experience to the discussions, and great that the lads allow everyone to contribute. Everyone listens, something that was not always achieved last year. Contributions are about the team effort, and not the shortcomings of individuals. We are really growing together, as a unit. It will take some time for us to fully benefit from this, but the signs are there.

I spend a lot of time listening to Andy. His coaching style, and knowledge of the game are first class. However, I believe his dressing room manner, and the environment he creates have a major impact. He has quite literally started to turn boys into men.
If you get a chance, talk to Andy about the game…you’ll be most impressed, I’m sure.

Programme sales are rather low this season. I’m hoping that someone will step forward, and help us to sell them. Thanks to those who have tried. Every single pound helps KJIHC. Coach costs have increased dramatically due to raised fuel prices, and we do have an immediate need to claw in some cash.

One answer is to talk to friends at school, work, in the pub, and to invite them down to a Jets game.
Cubs, scouts, brownies, football teams, cricket clubs, youth clubs, societies…if you know any…invite them down. Speak with me and I’m sure we can arrange something special.
If you give their name to Tony in the penalty box, he’ll make sure they are welcomed. Every extra bum on a seat helps the team, both financially & inspirationally. Please do what you can…thank you!

See you for a beer afterwards?

Cheers!
Go Jets!

Clint.

Sheffield 12-10-08

Sheffield currently sit 4th in the league…with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. They come into Hull after an impressive brace of result last weekend. They drew 1-1 at home to Whitley Bay and then won 4-1 in Nottingham.

Their line-up is as impressive as ever, with the addition of my neighbour & ex-Jet David Pyatt. I’ve known David for quite a few years now, and he’s a good man!
One thing is for sure, we have to continue to keep the penalty count down. Blackburn were unable to do that a fortnight ago, and Sheffield thumped them 9-0.

In Southern League 1, last seasons’ foes Peterborough have yet to register a league win in 4 attempts!

Last weekend was one to get out of the way and move on for the Jets. We went into Billingham and struggled on another tight, badly prepared surface. We never really got going, and were shut out 5-0.

At home on Sunday, we worked hard but never really put a dent in a very well organised Coventry team. We lost 8-2, but the lads were really concerned after the horrible injury to Ben Milhench. A high-stick which looked rather accidental caught Ben in the mouth. This took his front teeth out and embedded them in his lower gum.

Knowing Ben as well as I do, I know he’ll be back in no time.

Thanks to Sam Daintith for helping with the trip to hospital.

The lads have worked very hard in training this week, and I’m sure you will see the results today.
Games at all levels between Sheffield & Kingston are always exciting, and todays game promises to be a good one. Thank you for being here for the game.

Enjoy the game!

Go Jets!

Clint.

Jet Blast 05-10

Last weekend saw us draw both games. On Saturday we welcomed Billingham Bombers, who had 19 players on the bench. Ben Milhench was unavailable, and we took an early lead through Flo at 4:07.
We spoke in the dressing room about our opponents slow start, and how they would come out like a different team for period two…and they did just that!

A powerplay Bombers goal on 22:40 was followed by two further goals on 23:11, and on 23:22. That’s correct…3 goals in 42 seconds…prompting a Time-Out to steady the Kingston ship.
We re-focussed at 3-1 down and hit 3 goals in 6 minutes to go in at 4-4.
The final period saw Ziggy grab his second of the game at 41:39, before Bombers tied the scores again through their captain Windridge at 48:22.

Sunday saw a very short bench ice at Solihull in the cup. Following our 8-6 defeat at home to Solihull the previous week, we had a pointy to prove. However, the team bus was almost empty with several players unavailable / ill.

To make matters worse, the ice surface was appalling. Pucks turned, twisted and bounced, with every puck having to be forced across the ice.

Solihull started the brighter, and lifted the large crowd when Ayers scored past Tristan at 2:07. They doubled the lead with a goal on 6:12 from their import Bakalar. Jeffo pulled a goal back, before Dean Tonks stretched the Barons’ lead to 3-1 at the break.

A chippy second period saw 11 minor penalties issued by Mr Evans. Jets for once seemed to keep their cool, as their opponents conceded excellent worked goals from Flo & Jeffo.
A Jets missed penalty shot on 50:10, and excellent reaction saves from Tristan in the closing moments, led to our first cup point. The 3-3 draw saw both coach & manager retire to the bar…before the coach ate his way through half of China.

The talk around the rinks is that this will be a wide open ENIHL league this year, with everyone taking points from each other. That will make for some great tussles, and an entertaining season.

Forward James Maughan has played most games supporting us in defence. That’s not an easy thing to do, particularly with some of the penalties we can pick up!
Well done James, and thanks for stepping up to the mark.

Matt Jeffcock has become a leader on the ice, and contributes positively with regular goals. His contribution on the bench, and in the dressing room is helping enormously.

Seen at training on Wednesday was Sam Cooper. He’s able to register now, and ready to commit again to the Jets defensive line.

Some fat bloke is asking for sponsorship as he attempts to lose 2 stones in weight. Please do what you can to sponsor him, and punch him if he’s seen with chips!
Proceeds are to be shared between KJIHC & NSPCC.

Thanks for being with us!
See you after the game in The Cat!

Go Jets!
Clint.
Ps…see you next Sunday as we welcome Sheffield. Face-off is at 5pm.

Billingham Bombers 27-9-08

Last Saturday saw the Jets travel to Newcastle for an 11.30 AM face-off! The lads were up for this one and were keen to get their first points on the board against a side which lost 10-0 to arch rivals Whitley Bay in mid-week. The jets fought hard and travelled back with a much deserved 6-4 win. Jeffo was again amongst the goals, in a win which saw 6 different goal scorers.

Sunday saw us back on home ice for the first ENL Cup game of the new season after last seasons semi-final appearance. The boys were really up for this and keen to see a repeat of last season’s quite phenomenal achievement. However, it just wasn’t to be. The boys hustled and hustled and grabbed 4 goals in under 10 minutes late on but it wasn’t enough and the much experienced Barons held on for an 8-6 win.

Other games around the league and cup saw Billingham run out 6-1 victors over Newcastle at The Forum, Nottingham won 4-3 at Blackburn and early title favourites Whitley drew 1-1 with Coventry at Hillheads.

Another interesting result from around the country saw last seasons Cup semi-final opponents Peterborough Islanders lose 6-3 at home to Oxford. The Islanders went all of last year’s regular season undefeated but after 3 games the Southern Champions are still looking for their first win.

This is the first of four meetings with the Bombers this season and if it’s anything like last seasons bouts fasten your seatbelts!

Last season’s home game saw the Bombers arrive in Hull wary of our ‘never say die’ attitude, and this was proved to be right as we came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw.

The away game saw just ten skaters make the trip to the Forum, to face a full strength Bombers team in front of a noisy crowd. Period scores of 1-1 & 2-1 saw us enter the last period behind 3-2. And when Ward scored at 46-17 with Craig Elliott in the penalty box, Bombers knew it was too early to start their celebrations. Jeffcock scored 3 minutes later for 4-3. Cooper assisted on a Florence goal at 55-09, and Jets were in with a chance. Bombers pushed hard and when a lucky bounce off Coopers’ stick flashed across the crease, Moutrey was there to skilfully convert the waist high puck to win the game 5-4.

The Bombers supporters were very appreciative of this display from the Jets team which finished the game with just 9 skaters. Anything like that display at full strength tonight will create a real spectacle.

Go Jets!

Clint.

Ps… we’re in Solihull tomorrow night for our second cup game of the season and back here to face Coventry Blaze a week tomorrow. Face-off is at 5pm.

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ENL1 Standings

	Team	GP	PTS
	Nottingham Lions	16	26
	Sheffield Scimitars	19	25
	Whitley Warriors	12	17
	Telford Titans	15	15
	Coventry Blaze ENL	14	12
	Trafford Metros	14	10
	Blackburn Hawks	13	7
	Kingston Jets	13	4