Coach Enio Sacilotto, who received a big blow when French Canadian tough guy Mathieu Raby changed his mind about joining the Bees at the last moment last week, was forced into trying to find a replacement at short notice. An ALP spokesman said. �The pool of players around this time of year is very small compared to other years and Enio has had to try and finalise the team with the players that are available. Raby, at the time, was the most suitable player on paper but when that fell through, Enio had to start again. Luckily, Tuomo Kyh� (pronounced Kooha) had in the meantime become available and whilst not the same kind of player as Raby, he will bring his own style of hockey to the team which we believe will be just as valuable.�

The 25 year old, 6�1� 220lb defenceman has been playing for Vipiteno in Italy the first part of the season and previously has been with Pori Assat in the Finnish Elite League for three years. He has been described as a big aggressive defenceman, an above average skater who works very hard and with a great shot. With just under 24 hours before the signing deadline, Kyh� brings the Bees� roster to 19, with 18 players fit to play at the present time.

Scott Bailey, Dominic Amodeo and Greg Burke are all rushing to London in time to dress for tomorrow night�s crucial clash with the Sheffield Steelers at the London Arena (face-off 7pm)

Bailey has played in goal in the NHL for the Boston Bruins and joins the Knights from the Anchorage Aces in the WCHL. Amodeo has a wealth of experience in Europe and flies in from EHC Basel in Switzerland. Burke arrives from the Guildford Flames but has been with the Knights previously in their Play-off winning season in 1999-2000. He also has ISL experience with the Nottingham Panthers while Bailey and Amodeo played together with the Charlotte Checkers in the ECHL in 1993/94 season.

The Knights have been blighted by long term injuries to key players all season and the three new signings will add considerably to Coach Bob Leslie� s options. Commenting on the three signings Bob said. �Greg Burke is coming back to London, he�s very excited to get the chance again to play in the ISL. We needed somebody to come in and be very intense on the ice and he�s a very intense player, he likes to play hard. We�ll need him because we have been short staffed and he can play both forward and defence. He�s a good addition for us. Scott Bailey has been an NHL goalie, he�s played with the Boston Bruins, so we hope that when he comes in here he can find that form and help us on to the final four and win the playoffs. Don Amodeo has scored at every level he has been at, he�s a very talented player and we need someone to score goals and we�ve been struggling to score. He�s going be a good offensive player for us.�

Coach Blaisdell spoke about the latest Steelers acquisition. "We are delighted to sign Mark, I was impressed with him last year in London where he had a great play offs scoring 9 points in 7 games. He fits the bill for what we are looking for and I see him being our third line centre. Chris McSorley gave us a great reference and we have been scouting him over the past few weeks. All we have seen and heard has been excellent."

Sacilotto said. �I�m just not sure what the problem is. Eric Bertrand, who left the Bees in November to go to the DEL (German elite league), put me in touch with Mathieu and everything seemed to be just fine, Eric even recommended to him where he should live. We got his work permit and were planning on having him here to play against Belfast on Wednesday. I have tried a few times over the weekend and today to get in touch with him and left messages. So far he hasn�t got back to me. It could be he has a problem with his current team, maybe it�s because he has a very young baby, not even four weeks old yet. I can only speculate. Whatever the problem, I am trying to get hold of him to see if there is a way we can get over it. We still want him to come.�

In the meantime, Sacilotto is in a race against time to find a possible replacement with the signing deadline just over 72 hours away. �It�s not easy,� said Sacilotto. �I thought we had finalised the team and now suddenly I am having to start all over. There are a few guys out there but we have so little time now.�

Chris Lipsett - Sheffield Steelers
Following a review of a 5 + game penalty for checking from behind during a Sheffield Steelers Vs Bracknell Bees game played on Sunday 27th January. The ISL Disciplinary Committee have suspended Chris Lipsett for 1 game and fined him �250.

However, Bob revealed the names of two new players, currently having their work permits processed, who will be joining the squad as soon as their paperwork is completed. They are forward Dominic Amodeo, and ex-Boston Bruins netminder Scott Bailey. The signing of Sergio Momesso and Mike O'Neill does not now seem likely to go ahead as previously thought as reported in the Ice Hockey News last week.

Raby contacted the Bees office in ALP on Friday afternoon to discuss flight arrangements. Just hours later, coach Enio Sacilotto received word that Raby no longer wanted to come.

Sacilotto said. �I�m just not sure what the problem is. Eric Bertrand, who left the Bees in November to go to the DEL (German elite league), put me in touch with Mathieu and everything seemed to be just fine, Eric even recommended to him where he should live. We got his work permit and were planning on having him here to play against Belfast on Wednesday. I have tried a few times over the weekend and today to get in touch with him and left messages. So far he hasn�t got back to me. It could be he has a problem with his current team, maybe it�s because he has a very young baby, not even four weeks old yet. I can only speculate. Whatever the problem, I am trying to get hold of him to see if there is a way we can get over it. We still want him to come.�

In the meantime, Sacilotto is in a race against time to find a possible replacement with the signing deadline just over 72 hours away. �It�s not easy,� said Sacilotto. �I thought we had finalised the team and now suddenly I am having to start all over. There are a few guys out there but we have so little time now.�

Speedy winger Joe Ciccarello returned to the Hive on Thursday after coming out of semi retirement. The 28 year old Canadian/Italian agreed terms with coach Enio Sacilotto at the beginning of this week and made his second Bees� debut in the game against Sheffield Steelers on Thursday evening.

The Bracknell Bees have made their final signing for the 2001/2002 season, six days before the signing deadline, defenceman Mathieu Raby. Six foot, four inch Raby is set to make a big impact and comes with a reputation of being a player who will take no nonsense. Last season with the Quebec Citadelles, Raby scored 3 goals and 3 assists and racked up 193 minutes in penalties.

The Giants went into tonights game against the only team that could stop them, the Bracknell Bees needing just a point to secure the league title. The Giants needed to come from behind to secure the title as they were trailing 2-1 with just 3:28 left on the clock, but up stepped defenceman Chad Allan scored the equalising, and league winning goal.

The Final was originally due to be held in London and a provisional booking was made. However, after consultation with potential franchise holders and new investors, the Superleague Board decided that placing one of its prestigious Finals in Belfast could bring significant long-term benefits for the League and the sport. The Board took into account the fact that last year�s Challenge Cup Final, which was held in Belfast, was a such huge success. The event drew a capacity crowd that generated an amazing atmosphere, and fans were left with many memories of a fabulous ice hockey day out in wonderful Belfast.

Superleague�s Events Manager, Hannah Tattersall, said. �Changing the venue for a Final is not an easy decision, and this is not one that has been taken lightly. However, I�m confident that this is the right decision as the Odyssey Arena is a fantastic platform to stage this superb Final. I�m in no doubt that fans either returning to Belfast, or making their very first trip, will find the people of the Emerald Isle very hospitable and welcoming. And with such a sophisticated venue hosting the Final and the promise of yet another cracking Superleague event, fans are going to have a day to remember!�

Ian Taylor, Chief Executive of the Superleague, said. �It is always difficult to decide which of our magnificent Arena�s to use for our Finals events. I have no doubt that fans who do attend the Final will be given a memorable and warm welcome by the people of Northern Ireland and the fantastic Odyssey experience.�

Tickets will go on general sale on Thursday 24th January 2002 from the Odyssey Arena Box Office in person or by calling 02890 739074, from Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster on 0870 243 4455 (24 hours) or on the internet from www.ticketmaster.ie. An allocation of tickets will be reserved for the two Finalists and released on 11th February 2002 (details to be confirmed).

Bracknell coach Sacilotto said, �We had already recently lost a player (Eric Bertrand) to a German team and here it was happening again.

The ISL want �50,000 from each team in the league to cover costs for December's loss-making 'All-Stars' Game. However, Manchester, Sheffield, Belfast and Nottingham's owners are expected to refuse to pay the 'ransom'. The league apparently need the cash to stop them from falling further into the red, but the team's owners are loathe to part with the cash. The board meeting is expected to take place today. More news as it happens. As reported by the Express newpaper.

The Steelers had put in the request for the game to be postponed due to their abnormal amount of injuries based on medical advice and for commercial reasons. Steelers will still play their game on Thursday 8th January in London against the Knights.

Paul Kruse
During the Sheffield Steelers v Moscow Dynamo exhibition game played on Thursday the 27th December 2001, Kruse received a match penalty for excessive rough play. Following a review by the ISL Disciplinary Committee Kruse has been suspended for two games and fined �250 for his actions, which were considered reckless. In addition he was warned as to his future conduct.

Ryan Bach
At the culmination of the Sheffield Steelers v Bracknell Bees Sekonda Superleague game played on Saturday 29th December 2001, Bach was awarded a Gross Misconduct penalty for verbal abuse of the official. Following a review by the ISL Disciplinary Committee Bach was suspended for 1 game (which was served against Manchester Storm on Sunday 30th December 2001) and fined �250. In addition he was warned as to his future conduct.

Mike Blaisdell
At the culmination of the Sheffield Steelers v Bracknell Bees Sekonda Superleague game played on Saturday 29th December 2001, Steelers coach Mike Blaisdell was awarded a gross misconduct for abusive and threatening behaviour towards the official. Following a review by the ISL Disciplinary Committee he was suspended for 1 game (which was served against Manchester Storm on Sunday 30th December 2001) and fined �250. In addition he was warned as to his future conduct.

Sheffield Steelers
Late last night the Sheffield Steelers completed the signing of former Bracknell Bee's winger Chris Brant, his registration has been accepted by the ISL and Brant will play this evening against Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland. Coach Mike Blaisdell said "Chris is an excellent addition to our squad, I am delighted he is with us, his experience both in North America and in the ISL will be invaluable, we have no option but to throw him in at the deep end in Belfast as we are so short handed"

Bracknell Bees
The Bracknell Bees are in dispute over the no show of new Bees signing Daniel Goneau. Goneau was due to arrive on Christmas Eve, he is registered with the Bees and they currently hold his International Transfer Card. This is the second player that Bracknell have lost this season, after Eric Bertrand joined the DEL.Head Coach Enio Sacilotto is already looking for a permanent replacement should Goneau not come to Bracknell but at present the club is in a waiting game.

The Times newspaper has reported that JOHN NIKE, owner of the Bracknell Bees, has been awarded the OBE in the New Year's Honours List. Congratulations to Mr. Nike who has been honoured for his "services to business and community in Bracknell".

Other
Also don't forget you can catch action from the Panthers game against DYNAMO MOSCOW, played games against the Superleague's Manchester Storm, Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers. A one-hour programme can be seen on Sky Sports this weekend. The programme will also include action from Dynamo Moscow's other games against Sheffield and Manchester. It is scheduled to be shown as follows :

Saturday 5th January - Sky Sports 3 at 1800
Saturday 5th January - Sky Sports Extra at 22.30
Sunday 6th January - Sky Sports 3 at 15.30.

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