29th Nov
Bracknell lost 4-3 away at Ayr tonight. More details will appear here when I have them.
28th Nov
Bracknell snatched an away win at Sheffield tonight, despite a poor performance. Both teams struggled to score, and it was only in the 49th minute that Sal Manganaro managed to break the deadlock in Bracknell's favour. Colin Ward doubled the lead four minutes later, and Jeff Johnstone ensured the win with an empty net goal two minutes from time. Brian Greer won man of the match for his shut-out. A full report will appear here later.
28th Nov
Apparently, Barry McKinlay has been banned for the rest of the season by the UHL.
25th Nov
Mark Bernard will miss the rest of 1998, as he will have to undergo a hernia operation. He is expected to skate again on Jan uary 2nd, and it is hoped his first game back will be against Nottingham on January 10th.
The club have yet to decide whether any replacement will be signed. Craig Still of the Hornets deputised on Sunday.
24th Nov
Bracknell only played one game at the weekend, at home on Sunday against Ayr. The game finished 3-3 and leaves Bracknell fourth in the table. Sal Manganaro gave Bracknell an early lead, but Ayr finished the first period 2-1 up. PC Drouin levelled the scores midway through the match, Ayr again took the lead in the 53rd minute only for Chris Brant to tie up the game with just 17 seconds left on the clock. More details will appear here later.
Mark Bernard missed the Ayr game through injury and could be out for up to four weeks.
According to The Buzz Box Bary McKinlay faces a life ban from the UHL, a 10 year jail sentance and a $10,000 fine, after just one game back for the Thunder Bay Thunder Cats. Apparently, after being sent off the ice with a Misconduct, in the locker room he lashed out with his stick in frustration at a curtain. The broken stick hit two girls (neither of whom were seriosly hurt), and a police officer arrested Barry for a Physical Abuse of a Child, and Barry spent the weekend in jail. Once again, it seems the American justice system has abandoned all logic!
Meanwhile, the row over Barry McKinlay's departure continue's, with the club release their version of the events over the weekend. Here is the official press release:
COACH REBUKES MCKINLAY OVER HOME
DAVE WHISTLE IS UPSET WITH DEFENCEMAN
Bees defenceman Barry McKinlay returned home to Thunder Bay after just two months with the Sekonda Superleague Bracknell Bees. In the Bracknell News, McKinlay lashed out at management and stated the reason for leaving was the condition of the property he was living in. Coach Dave Whistle is stunned by the comments and stated this was not the issue for his departure. "I had a meeting with Barry McKinlay as he was talking to players from the first week he was here, saying he was going home as his wife was unhappy. Despite confronting him with what was being said, McKinlay denied it and stated it was just a malicious rumour. Last week I called McKinlay in for a meeting as I was unhappy with the continual rumours of his pending departure."
Whistle went on to say, "I have put it to McKinlay about being unhappy and he has been given every opportunity to state the reasons of his unhappiness. McKinlay insisted that he is leaving due to family illness and the property is not an issue as the landlord had taken the necessary action in regard to the issues raised by the McKinlays."
Chief Executive Martin Weddell stated, "I had heard the rumours and asked Dave Whistle to speak to McKinlay as I did not want another Wayde Bucsis situation.
As regards the property, it was an externally rented, fully furnished house. Each season we spend a great deal of time searching and securing suitable furnished property. In this area property is scarce, but the letting agents we work with managed to find sufficient property this year. McKinlay's property had some issues that needed attention which were taken up with the agent and landlord. Remedial action was taken and no further issues were raised by the McKinlays. Everything possible was done to make things acceptable but clearly McKinlay is playing two sides of the field. The Club released McKinlay from contract without any financial penalty due to the severe illness of his mother."
After the Bracknell News contacted the Club, Administrator Jane McDougall and Dave Whistle challenged McKinlay over the comments. McKinlay was adamant that the report was incorrect and the reason for leaving was due to family illness.
Coach Whistle concluded, "Britain is very different to home (Canada) and player expectations are very different, particularly with regard to housing. Myself and the players that were available checked the rented properties as to their suitability. Fully furnished property in this area is scarce and very expensive, but we do operate with quality Letting Agents."
20th Nov
In an interview with the Bracknell News, Barry McKinlay has suggested it was down to problems with the club management that he finally left the club. He claims that he was living in sub-standard accomodation, and the club would do nothing about it. He claims he was very happy with the hockey here, and his family's personal problems were beginning to resolve themselves. Learning his mother was dying of cancer was the last straw.
One unconfirmed rumour going round at the weekend was that Barry had asked to go home because of his mother's cancer, and was offered three weeks. When he said three weeks might not be enough, he was told not to bother coming back. As I say, just a rumour, but it does tie in with today's news.
If this is true, then Martin Weddall and Jane McDougall really have to ask themselves what is going on. The rumours about Norm wanting to leave as well say it is because he's fed up with the management and the sub-standard accomodation. Will he be the next to leave? For Barry McKinlay, arguably our best player, to leave because of a reason like this is disgraceful, particularly in a so-called professional team.
17th Nov
Bracknell's management today confirmed that Barry McKinlay has played his last game for Bracknell. Although playing outstandly for Bracknell, he has decided to leave for personal reasons (it's rumoured his wife can't settle), and he will fly back to Thunder Bay next week. This is a massive set back for the Bees, as his departure will severly weaken the already strugling Bees defence.
There are also unconfirmed rumours emerging that Norm Dezainde is also soon to leave
15th Nov
In a close-fought match, Bracknell were downed 4-3 at home by Nottingham. Although taking the lead in the 2nd minute, Bracknell conceeded three goals before again scoring. A further goal by Nottingham was cancelled by Bracknell in the last ten minutes but, despite an illegal-stick call going their way, they couldn't claw back to parity. Still, against the team currently sitting second in the table this was an excellent result. Overall, the Bees can take some heart from this weekend's performances. More details will appear here, later.
Also, rumours are emerging that Barry McKinlay may be returning to Thunder Bay soon, as his family are unable to settle. No idea yet how authentic these rumours are.
14th Nov
Bees won tonight, away at London. The final score was 4-3 to Bracknell, but they had to battle back from behind, only scoring the winner 47 seconds into Overtime. More details will appear here later>
14th Nov
Plenty of news to catch up with. Bracknell have gone from bad to worse, sandwiching two defeats by Cardiff, home and away, with their only win in the last nine games, beating Newcastle 5-1 at the Hive.
The poor run has led to much speculation over the safety of player's positions on the team. No player is safe, no matter how good their reputation, or how long they've been with the club. Dave Whistle was quoted in the Reading Evening Post (27/10/98) as saying: "I'm not afraid to make changes. I'm very upset about the way we played at Newcastle and the players know that. There was a lack of effort and I'm not going to put up with that. we can't afford to have 14 guys trying and five who are not working hard. the team has been built around everyone working hard. recently its been different guys having off days on different nights. The players have the next couple of weeks to prove they are worth a place but if it turns out the same guys aren't performing then I will cut them." Whistle insisted that no one is safe from the chop including established fan's favourites. "It won't make any difference if the players have been here for a while. It was a poor defensive effort from the team. We gave up far too many chances. they outworked us and we looked tired. We played well in Ayr and should have won. I expected the same effort against Newcastle but it wasn't there. My biggest concern is the defence because we are conceding far too many goals. We're not working hard enough in our own zone and that is where games are won and lost. Everybody has defensive responsibilities and at the moment I'm looking for an improvement from goaltending, defence and forwards."
Reports have emerged that there are rifts and dissent in the camp, and Dave is striding to remove this. Then, in the Reading Evening Post on the 10th, this article appeared:
Whistle Blasts Sloppy Defence
Bees' coach was fuming as his side made it six defeats from their last seven Superleague games. He said, "We are making too many defensive mistakes and Cardiff punished us. We were outnumbered on rushes. We were not making good passes and we were pinching when we should not have been. By pinching I mean that we were taking risks by diving in for the puck with no cover when we should have been patient and backed off. The effort was there from the guys but we didn't play smart hockey and Cardiff deserved to win." Whistle was annoyed that his side did not put more pressure on Stevie Lyle. We did not go to the net for our second or third shots. You expect the goalie to make the first save but you have to be alive for the rebound. we weren't driving to the net and forcing chances. He admitted he had made his feelings felt in no uncertain terms during the second break on Sunday evening. "I ripped into them a bit. I shall be looking at the video of the game and going over what happened in detail." And in his clearest indication yet that changes in the side may not be far away, he added, "I shall be thinking over where we might need a little bit of help."
Under Superleague rules a team cannot have more that 20 players. So before he can bring anyone else in he must either release someone from the current line up or deregister Frank LaScala. But whistle has promised under fairness to Frank, his place is safe while he recuperates.
"To get someone in, I will have to cut someone now or deregister Frank. But I would still have to cut someone once Frank is fit and can be registered again." whistle though was pleased with the contribution of new signing Chasse, who was playing his first competitive game for seven months.
Chasse said, "That's the first time I have scored on a debut since junior games, and it is always a relief to get that first goal. I felt a bit rusty and I have not played without the red line before. The refereeing was a bit different. They let some stuff go that would have been penalised in North America, and vice versa, but I enjoyed the game and the fans were great."
Whistle added, "I thought Denis had a good game and I am pleased he got off the mark in his first game. But we need some of the other guys to get among the goals.Its been the same players recently, and I built this team around having nine or ten scorers." Whistle declined to say which forwards he is unhappy with. But at least five players have not been able to average more than a goal every four Superleague games. Injuries have handicapped Joe Feracciolli (one goal) and Paxton Schulte (no goals). Dale Junkin's solitary effort is at least backed up by seven assists, while Norm Dezainde and Jeff Johnstone will be looking to improve on just two apiece.
Alex - Bracknell has one of the strongest sides in their history, on paper at least, and their excellent start to season has on helped to fuel people's expectations. That they are doing so badly is disappointing (although, let's remember they are still fourth in the league, higher than they've ever finished before). However, whilst Whistle is constantly blasting the players, one must also ask how with such a talented team, he is unable to take them onto greater heights. Presumably, if no-one's position is safe, then this must include Whis, who is still in only his first season as a coach.