29th Sep
For those who have yet to hear, yesterday's live draw on Radio 5 paired Bracknell with Grand Slam Champs Ayr in the Quarter Finals of the B+H Cup. Interestingly, the station had an Ayr player on line and, when asked who he would most want to avoid, he said Bracknell. However, this was after the draw had been made, so take it with a pinch of salt...
28th Sep
Sorry for the delay, as it says on the index, I've been away for the weekend.....
Bracknell played Paisley Pirates in back-to-back matches in the B+H Cup Challenge Round this weekend. On Saturday, at the Hive, they beat the Pirates 11-1. Then, on Sunday, they travelled back to the Scottish West Coast and were again victorious, this time beating the Pirates 13-1. PC Drouin and Colin Ward both scored hat-tricks for Bracknell, whilst John Reid scored Paisley's only goal. The out-standing Craig Lindsay again played in nets for Paisley, facing a total of 66 shots and deservedly earning Pirates MOM. Brian Greer played for Bracknell, stopping 24 of 25 shots. Greg Burke was the Bees' MOM.
Speaking to Frank LaScala during the match, he believes it will be 3 months before he can walk unaided, and five months before he will be fit enough to play. He is looking at returning late February.
23rd Sep
Bracknell travelled to Newcastle tonight, and won 6-5. This result means they top Group A, and so play Paisley Pirates in the next round of the B+H Cup. According to the BNIHL Official site, Bracknell's scorers were Joe Feraccioli, Paxton Schulte, Colin Ward, Rob Stewart, and two from Norm Dezainde, whilst ex-Bison Kevin Conway got a hat-trick for the Riverkings. More details will appear here later.
23rd sep
Teletext reports that frank LaScala has been released from hospital, but will be out for at least two months. He has had to have two pins inserted in his leg.
23rd Sep
This article was in today's Electronic Telegraph:
THIS WAS supposed to be the season when Bracknell Bees were left behind by the 'big boys', their Superleague status threatened by the progress of the likes of Manchester and Sheffield and the introduction of the London Knights. To add insult to injury, they also lost highly respected coach Jim Fuyarchuk to London. Yet the Bees are not ready to play second fiddle just yet and, under untried coach Dave Whistle, have made an impressive start to the season, pulling off the surprise of the Benson and Hedges Cup qualifying round when they defeated Ayr Scottish Eagles, last year's grand slam winners 5-1. Bracknell conclude their cup qualifying round tonight when they travel to Newcastle knowing that runners-up spot in Group A and an attractive challenge round tie is assured. Success has come with a man at the helm who has proved that an impressive North American coaching pedigree is not necessary to thrive in the Superleague. Whistle used to ply his trade with the lowly Romford Raiders before getting his chance as a player at the top domestic level with Bracknell. He was a surprise choice as coach when Fuyarchuk left but, having brought in six new players, he has brought a welcome buzz to the Bees.
19th Sep
Bracknell beat Grand Slam Champs Ayr 5-1 at the Hive tonight. This should ensure Bracknell finish second in the group, and so meet the third placed team in Group C in the next round. More details will appear here later.
15th Sep
After an MRI scan on his leg, it has been revealed that Frank LaScala has broken this fibia, and could be out for up to three months. He will undergo an operation in a couple of days where the club will learn the full extent of his injury, and the duration of his recovery period. The official line on replacements is that no thought will be given to replacements until they know how long Frank will be out for, and that there is no panic yet. however, as more rumours surface, including now rumours from cardiff, linking Merv the Perv to the club, it seems almost inevitable.
14th Sep
Frank LaScala's season could already be over. He took a bad hit at Cardiff on Saturday, and his knee is badly injured. He's going to hospital today for an MRI scan, to asess the full extent of the damage. Obviously, so soon into the season, this is a big disruption to Dave whistle's plans, but rumours that he has signed Merv Priest already as a replacement have been denied by Jane McDougall. Despite these denials, however, more rumours are surfacing, including some confirmed by "those in the know" - ahem. We probably won't know, however, until the results of Frank's MRI are known.
13th Sep
In the return match, Bees beat Cardiff Devils 9-3 at home, scoring four goals in the final period to be assured of the result. Star of the night was defenceman Shayne McCosh, with his hat-trick. However, home debutant Barry McKinlay also impressed, and scored his point of the season. Full Stats
12th Sep
Bees were beaten 3-0 by the Devils in the Welsh Capital tonight. In a tempestuous match, two players from each team were thrown out of the match. Both Sal Manganaro and Paxton Schulte made early exits for the Bees.
11th Sep
Accordin to tonight's Reading Evening Post Bracknell are expecting a full team against Cardiff on Saturday. Todd Kelman is back in training and should play, whilst Shayne McCosh has recovered from a slight shoulder injury picked up in Ayr and Dale Junkin has got over a mild bout of flu. Barry McKinlay has arrived and will definitely be playing.
9th Sep
Bracknell lost 5-1 at Ayr in the B+H Cup tonight. Bees solitary goal came from Rob Stewart in the third period. A report will appear here soon. Todd Kelman was missing through injury, and Barry McKinlay didn't arrive in the country soon enough.
8th Sep
According to today's Reading Evening Post, Barry MacKinlay will only fly into the country tomorrow morning, and so will not travel up to Ayr for tomorrow's B+H clash against the Eagles.
5th Sep
Bracknell beat the Riverkings 4-3 at home in their game of the season tonight. the result points them joint top of Group A in the B+H Cup, behind Ayr only on goals scored, after the Eagles beat Cardiff 5-4. More details will appear here when I have them.
2nd Sep
Bracknell have confirmed that their new signing is 31 year Barry McKinlay, formally of Thunder Bay. A press release is below, and his career stats have been added to the Player Guide.
BEES MAKE BIG SIGNING
BEES BOLSTERED BY MCKINLAY
Sekonda Ice Hockey Superleague Bracknell Bees have already made a flying start to the season, recording 24 goals in just two challenge games whilst conceding only 5 goals. This was achieved with three key players not icing: Goal ace Colin Ward and new forward Frank LaScala. The third player not to ice is new signing Barry McKinlay.
The new look Bees are an instant hit with the fans and look set for greater honours this season. With the addition of big defenceman Barry McKinlay, the Bees are a team that will compete for all honours.
Barry McKinlay was born 08-08-1967 in Edmonton; shoots right and weighs 230 lbs. Coach Dave Whistle knows the defenceman as McKinlay played in his hometown of Thunder Bay, and is well known in the ice hockey fraternity as a player with a very strong pedigree. McKinlay's statistics include: Named All Star player. Defenceman of the Year 1993-94, 1994-95; 1995-96 and 1996-97. The highest scoring defenceman in the UHL and franchise history. First defenceman to score 100 goals. 12th Round draft pick for the Montreal Canadians.
Bees star Chris Brant is reputed to have one of the hardest shots in the Superleague, but by all accounts that crown could be relinquished to big shot McKinlay.
McKinlay is set to join the Bees squad in preparation for their first Benson & Hedges home game against Newcastle on Saturday 5th September.
30th Aug
Bracknell won the return leg of the challange series against Slough tonight, downing the Jets 13-2. More details will appear here when I have them.
30th Aug
Bracknell won their first game of the season last night - a challange match against Slough. The Jets were destroyed 11-3 at the Hangar by a Bees team icing without the returning Colin Ward or new-boy Frank LaScala. The scoring for Bracknell was fairly well spread out, although the Chief, Sal Manganaro and Paxton Schulte all scored a brace a piece. Stats are available here.