New Season
The hockey season is back, and you can follow it all with us right here on BIH.
Stats Centre
We are working on an archive of matches, stats and players from BIH in the past few years.
Berlin Calling
As I type I have two hockey related matters on my mind. Firstly is tonight’s Challenge Cup Semi Final second leg in Dundonald between the Giants and the Devils. And secondly is my impending trip this weekend to the O2 World Arena in Berlin to watch Eisbaren Berlin take on Kassel Huskies in the DEL.
Let me begin with talk of tonight’s game. By the time you read this you’ll probably already know the out come. The Giants go into the game 3 goals down and my journey to that game brought to a close my last blog. Needless to say as a mid week adventure to South Wales, my journey was not without incident.
Traffic can never really be quantified. Reporters on the radio never give you an accurate indication of just how long you could be stuck, frustration building as you constantly assess “how long will it take me to get there if this continues?” and “will I make face off?”. My last venture to Cardiff was many years ago when the WNIR was still home of the Devils. They have, of course, since moved to a “Big Blue Tent” in Cardiff Bay and as such the friendly voice of the Sat Nav was entrusted to guide me to the door. Unfortunately things didn’t really turn out that way.
Some of these new rinks, as I had previously found out in my attempts to find Manchester Phoenix’ Altringham home a few years previous, hold post codes that do not accurately reflect their location. New builds especially, and it sends your expensive technological guide slightly potty as you drive in circles looking for your destination.
My journey only came to an end after I called a friend at the rink and she was able to give me some guidance. I arrived to find them slightly bemused by my plight, standing at the front door. Five minutes before face off.
The Giants fans count for this game was a mere four. To be expected mid week in a place such as Cardiff. Thankfully I did know the other 3 quite well (not always the case) and as such we gave a good account of ourselves in the away block, despite the disappointing scoreline. Our noise all too much for one near-by Cardiff fan who shot us looks of disparagement on more than one occasion.
So, a round trip of over 400 in one evening only to witness a pasting of my team. Granted I’ll admit its not the best feeling as you drive back the road you came. But would I have it any other way? Absolutely not. I guess it’s the mixture of watching the sport you love, the team you follow and representing your fellow supporters in the stands when they can’t be there to cheer on the team themselves.
I arrive back at 1.30am, and am in work for 7am. Tired. But still pleased I made the trip. That will be my last “away” game till February, and it’s best to make the most of them.
As I said, second on my mind is this weekends trip to Berlin.
It has been a few years since I’ve visited Eisbaren, but the memories of that trip are still forefront of a lot of the hockey “banter” that circulates between my friends and I. This trip will be all the more different as it will be my first visit to Eisbaren’s new home. They moved to the O2 World Arena in 2008, leaving the Wellblechpalast behind for a home that holds almost 10,000 more people.
This seasons visit offers more in the shape Jeff Friesen, former San Jose Shark, New Jersey Devil, Anaheim Duck etc etc etc. as well as Denis Pederson. While the EIHL touts “former NHL players” whose careers may have stemmed to 5 or 6 games. The DEL draws bona fide former NHL players, who though maybe “mature” in their years. Still have the skill to entertain.
But that’s not the main draw. The main draw is the atmosphere. Speak to anyone who has experienced hockey in mainland europe and they will tell you of the fans approach to the games. Nothing like anything seen here in the UK. Standing on the terraces (or Fankurve) is an experience in itself. Noisy, action packed, reacting to every event on the ice and with its own tribal chants, beats and even movements (at one point everyone on the terrace ducks down on as a man shouts before all jumping up and clapping the regular beat that seems to resonate round the arena on a permanent basis). After a few of the “local ales” you’ll believe you are one of them.
So to say I’m looking forward to it is a distinct understatement. Roll on Friday.
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
