Flintshire Freeze sizzle then fizzle out in 10 – 1 win.

Sunday night and once again the Freeze welcomed local rivals Lancashire Raptors to Deeside Ice Rink for another game sponsored by Specsavers.  They may only have brought a squad of 10 players and there were only 2 refs available but the crowd was boosted by new supporters from Freeze team sponsors Urenco and Specsavers and it was the biggest so far this season.

On 18 seconds Andy Chappell found himself in the sin bin for 2 mins for elbows, but this did not stop the Freeze piling on the pressure. They were soon scorching onto the scoreboard when Steve Fellows converted a pass from Gary Dixon at bang on 2 mins for a shorthanded first goal. Just over 4 mins later, a Mike Jones pass found Si Furnival in front of goal waiting to slot the puck straight through the middle of the Raptor’s crease to make it 2-0. Play briefly went to the Freeze net but Phil Crosby was in for a quiet night as the action was clearly at the other end. Fellows soon found Furnival once more goal hanging to lift in the Freeze’s 3^rd. Within 40 seconds of the restart James Parsons made his first appearance on the score sheet for the night when he nattily turned in a Marc Lovell shot to make it 4-0. Still not half way through the first period and Furnival got his hat trick when Chris Varney found him in a familiar spot again in front of the Raptor’s net. The Freeze really sizzled in this purple patch of the 1^st period – 4 goals in just over 3 mins – and shots went in thick and fast. Callum Ruddick hit the post and Lovell shot wide but then it seemed the Freeze forwards eased off the gas. Dixon got into a kerfuffle with the Raptor’s Paul Mercer on the boards and both were off for 2 mins for charging and roughing. With teams back to full strength, a Freeze shot slipped behind Phil Pearson between the posts for Raptors and bobbled tantalizingly close to the goal line but seconds later Aled Roberts made it actually count when he squeezed a slinky 6^th past the post just inside the last 2 mins of the period. Period score 6-0.SOG made Freeze – 34 Raptors – 3

The second period started and it was just like ‘For whom the bells toll’…  but don’t panic – it was just a false fire alarm. And another. And another. It could have been the bell for ‘seconds out…round 2!’ as the crowd, now swelled by bikers and boarders from the newly opened Extreme sports zone, saw Dixon in the bin for 2 mins for interference and swiftly joined by Furnival for an uncharacteristic case of unsportsmanlike conduct which saw him off ice for 10 mins. The fire alarm was still intermittently interfering with the game but in just under 6 mins Chappell ignored the distraction and got focus back on the ice with a jinky run to slide goal no 7 under the splayed legs of the Raptor’s minder. Parsons got sent off for 2 mins for charging but apart from a couple of saves from Crosby, all attention was again at the other net even when the Freeze were a man down. But when the Raptors go a man down for high sticks, Freeze take full advantage when a Gavin Austin pass gives Parsons the powerplay goal.

Period score 8-0.SOG made Freeze – 15 Raptors – 2.

Inside 4 minutes of the 3^rd period and Parsons got his hat trick and it was 9 -0. A minute later and Dixon decided to entertain the crowd by using his fists to dispute the Raptor’s only goal of the night which nevertheless broke Crosby’s hopes of a shut out for the game. The Freeze minder hotly disputed it, but 9-1 it was, and the ensuing disagreement meant Dixon found himself once more in the bin for 2 mins for charging and 4 for fighting alongside Raptor’s Mercer who got 4 mins for fighting. Once more, twice in two games now, the penalty calls after the goal saw the restart from in front of the Freeze goal and not the centre circle. Amongst all the confusion, Freeze Captain Lovell coolly slotted home goal number 10. Raptors went a man down for a tripping offence with less than 8 mins on the clock but Freeze could not capitulate. The game, which had started with such a bang, and had all the whistles and bells (curse those fire alarms!) seemed to fizzle out to a lacklustre end

Final score: 10-1. SOG made Freeze – 17 Raptors – 7

Total . SOG made Freeze – 66 Raptors – 12

Total penalties incurred: Freeze – 24 mins, Raptors – 10

MVP: Freeze – 10 Andy Chappell

Raptors – 10 Mike Vigelskas

Flintshire Freeze sizzle then fizzle out in 10 – 1 win.

Sunday night and once again the Freeze welcomed local rivals Lancashire Raptors to Deeside Ice Rink for another game sponsored by Specsavers.  They may only have brought a squad of 10 players and there were only 2 refs available but the crowd was boosted by new supporters from Freeze team sponsors Urenco and Specsavers and it was the biggest so far this season.

On 18 seconds Andy Chappell found himself in the sin bin for 2 mins for elbows, but this did not stop the Freeze piling on the pressure. They were soon scorching onto the scoreboard when Steve Fellows converted a pass from Gary Dixon at bang on 2 mins for a shorthanded first goal. Just over 4 mins later, a Mike Jones pass found Si Furnival in front of goal waiting to slot the puck straight through the middle of the Raptor’s crease to make it 2-0. Play briefly went to the Freeze net but Phil Crosby was in for a quiet night as the action was clearly at the other end. Fellows soon found Furnival once more goal hanging to lift in the Freeze’s 3^rd. Within 40 seconds of the restart James Parsons made his first appearance on the score sheet for the night when he nattily turned in a Marc Lovell shot to make it 4-0. Still not half way through the first period and Furnival got his hat trick when Chris Varney found him in a familiar spot again in front of the Raptor’s net. The Freeze really sizzled in this purple patch of the 1^st period – 4 goals in just over 3 mins – and shots went in thick and fast. Callum Ruddick hit the post and Lovell shot wide but then it seemed the Freeze forwards eased off the gas. Dixon got into a kerfuffle with the Raptor’s Paul Mercer on the boards and both were off for 2 mins for charging and roughing. With teams back to full strength, a Freeze shot slipped behind Phil Pearson between the posts for Raptors and bobbled tantalizingly close to the goal line but seconds later Aled Roberts made it actually count when he squeezed a slinky 6^th past the post just inside the last 2 mins of the period. Period score 6-0.SOG made Freeze – 34 Raptors – 3

The second period started and it was just like ‘For whom the bells toll’…  but don’t panic – it was just a false fire alarm. And another. And another. It could have been the bell for ‘seconds out…round 2!’ as the crowd, now swelled by bikers and boarders from the newly opened Extreme sports zone, saw Dixon in the bin for 2 mins for interference and swiftly joined by Furnival for an uncharacteristic case of unsportsmanlike conduct which saw him off ice for 10 mins. The fire alarm was still intermittently interfering with the game but in just under 6 mins Chappell ignored the distraction and got focus back on the ice with a jinky run to slide goal no 7 under the splayed legs of the Raptor’s minder. Parsons got sent off for 2 mins for charging but apart from a couple of saves from Crosby, all attention was again at the other net even when the Freeze were a man down. But when the Raptors go a man down for high sticks, Freeze take full advantage when a Gavin Austin pass gives Parsons the powerplay goal.

Period score 8-0.SOG made Freeze – 15 Raptors – 2.

Inside 4 minutes of the 3^rd period and Parsons got his hat trick and it was 9 -0. A minute later and Dixon decided to entertain the crowd by using his fists to dispute the Raptor’s only goal of the night which nevertheless broke Crosby’s hopes of a shut out for the game. The Freeze minder hotly disputed it, but 9-1 it was, and the ensuing disagreement meant Dixon found himself once more in the bin for 2 mins for charging and 4 for fighting alongside Raptor’s Mercer who got 4 mins for fighting. Once more, twice in two games now, the penalty calls after the goal saw the restart from in front of the Freeze goal and not the centre circle. Amongst all the confusion, Freeze Captain Lovell coolly slotted home goal number 10. Raptors went a man down for a tripping offence with less than 8 mins on the clock but Freeze could not capitulate. The game, which had started with such a bang, and had all the whistles and bells (curse those fire alarms!) seemed to fizzle out to a lacklustre end

Final score: 10-1. SOG made Freeze – 17 Raptors – 7

Total . SOG made Freeze – 66 Raptors – 12

Total penalties incurred: Freeze – 24 mins, Raptors – 10

MVP: Freeze – 10 Andy Chappell

Raptors – 10 Mike Vigelskas

Sponsor a shirt!

Do your bit to support the Freeze, shirts are still available to sponsor, go to FANZONE on our website to see the available shirts then contact us either by email or leave a message on the ‘sponsor a shirt’ topic on our Forum. Shirt sponsorship is only £35.

Thanks for your support

The Freeze team.

Solway Sharks show their teeth in 1 – 11 showdown with Freeze

Solway Sharks, the runaway leaders at the top of the division, returned to Deeside Ice Arena for a second time for the teams second of four meetings this season. Freeze have greatly improved since their 1-16 loss at the start of the season, so the team (and the fans;-)) were keenly anticipating a matching improvement in performance and the score. The game on Sunday night duly delivered.

The Sharks were the first to take a bite out of the score sheet just inside a minute when a pass across the goal face from the night’s top point scorer Reynolds (4 goals 5 assists) allowed Hendersonto lift the puck over Freeze net minder Matty Compton’s stick. In reply, the Freeze forwards tried a few forays up front and the defence dug deep – Ainsley Keeler marking his return to the side with a very cool clearance in front of the Freeze posts. Si Furnival slapped a couple of shots wide and a Gavin Austin shot bounced off Shark’s keeper Russell’s pads as the Freeze kept the Sharks busy in defence for a while. But Reynolds linked up again with Hendersonto get his 2^nd of the night just inside 8 mins. Another familiar face returning to the Freeze fold, Gary Dixon, tried to make some headway up front but was held back and play was soon down the other end.Compton then saved only to see the rebound fall to Reynolds to get his first of the night. Eventually the ref saw an even more blatant hooking penalty by the Sharks and they went a man down. Unfortunately Freeze were left discombobulated that the ref actually called in their favour, and the circling Sharks took advantage with Reynolds grabbing a short handed goal to take it to 0-4. When the Sharks took a 10 mins (harsh!) illegal equipment (helmet) call, the Freeze forwards saw their chance and went for it hard this time. A frantic frenzy of goal mouth action had the fans on their feet until finally the puck settled softly and sweetly in the back of the Shark’s net. The home fans went crazy and so did the on ice action. When it was finally sorted (well.. sort of.). the goal was given to Peter Norgate and it was 1-4. Freeze then immediately had Norgate in the bin and Sharks had two in there for roughing with one a plus 10 mins for misconduct. Interestingly the refs decided to restart from the Sharks end and not from the centre spot as penalties were conceded after the goal and with the Freeze 5 on 4 as coincidental penalties had been called. Period score: 1-4. SOG made Freeze – 9 Solway – 15.  (Well done Matt!)

Second period – and the Sharks actually needed an extra minute to score this period with Reynolds getting their 5^th at 1 mins 56secs. Both teams came out keen, and Freeze showed they meant business playing some of their best hockey to keep the Sharks at bay. But when Steve Fellows had to sit out 2 mins for hooking after a desperate defensive move, a Solway charge in front of goal sees the puck bobble in to take it 1-6 on a power play. This stage of the game was action packed. In the Freeze goal, Compton is called on to make save after save, but it is a breakaway from top scorer James Parsons which incites the Sharks into an illegal check from behind and gets a rare penalty shot for the Freeze. It slices off the Shark’s net minder’s stick to the home crowd’s disappointment. As Shark’s Tonnar sat out 2mins for roughing, they took advantage of a disappointed Freeze and Reynolds grabbed his 4th goal of the night whilst they were shorthanded.Compton once again found himself in the middle of a goal mouth kerfuffle and then found himself off the ice for 5 plus match for slashing giving Phil Crosby time to face 9 shots between the posts for the Freeze. Period score: 1-7 SOG made Freeze – 5 Sharks – 20.

Third period and, back with a bang, the Sharks score again within a minute and soon follow it up with another after a rare loose pass behind the net from Marc Lovell and it is 1-9. In the meantime, Freeze’s Kenny Williams was dismissed from the ice for 5 plus match for a check to the head which appeared to be caused by an accidental flailing elbow. Once the blood is cleaned from the ice the Freeze, a man down, rely on some fine saves byCrosbyin the net as play is hardly out of the Freeze end. Just over halfway through the period, the Sharks change net minders. But it is the Freeze defence who worked hard to run down the 5 minute penalty keeping the Sharks forwards from scoring right up to just 24 seconds remained. Two seconds after Williams 5 min major had expired, the Sharks scored again to make the final score 1-11. Freeze found themselves with a man advantage for the last 2 minutes of the game but, despite some brave efforts just couldn’t find the back of the net. Final Score 1-11. SOG made this period Freeze-8 Sharks 26

Man of the Match: Sharks – 44 Reynolds, Freeze – 40Crosby

Total shots faced; Freeze Crompton- 26, Crosby -35: Sharks Russel-18. Rae – 4

Freeze Add Two Players To Roster

With the transfer deadline just days away the Freeze are happy to welcome back two former Freeze players.

Gary Dixon has rejoined his local club after a 3 month break from Hockey. Dixon started the season well with ENL 1 side Blackburn Hawks, but due to personal reasons could no longer commit to the traveling schedule which some weeks saw three long journeys up the M6. Gary started last season strong with Flintshire as club captain but felt he needed to test himself in the higher division becoming an instant hit with the Hawks, helping them to the playoff final. 

Flintshire’s Hockey coordinator Ian Foster said ‘Gary, for many seasons now has been one of Freezes strong players, he came through our junior system and played for the Freeze from the age of 16. Both myself and coach Karl Creamer were keen to have Gary back at the start of the season but it wasn’t to be, that said he’s here now and we look forward to him finishing the season where he should, in his number 9 Freeze jersey! Our thanks go to Specsavers Flint who sponsored the transfer’.

Ainsley Keeler had also made a return to Flintshire after a slightly longer time away than Dixon.
Ainsley has not played for 3 seasons now and last iced for Manchester Phoenix ENL after previously also playing for Freeze and again like Gary, coming through our junior system.
Flintshire veteran Ste Fellows said ‘Its great to see Ainsley back on the ice and even after all this time you could see he’s a strong skater and will make a difference to which ever of our forward lines Karl decides to put him’.

Coach Karl Creamer is more than happy with both additions and said ““It was great to see  Gary back on the ice this week in practice with the Freeze. He is a good two way player and his experience will certainly help the team. Ainsley has only trained with us once but he showed the coaches enough for us to want to get him signed up. We’ve got a really good team at present with a great team spirit. Both players are very useful additions for us but they will have to work hard to earn their place on the team as I’m sure nobody is going to want to give up their ice-time too easily.”

We could see both line up to face Solway this Sunday if all paperwork gets completed on time in what could be a tough game for The Freeze and the new additions. Come along and show your support for your Flintshire Freeze!

Doors open 6pm face off 6.30pm. Juniors only £1 with full paying Adult, £5.

Freeze share points with Hull Stingrays in thrilling draw

Hull Stingray’s first visit this season to Deeside Ice Rink on Sunday was a fast paced game which ended all square at 2-2. Hull turned up in blue shirts with ‘Jets’ written on them and were too late to take part in the warm up, but, this didn’t stop them taking on the Freeze for their closest game so far this season.

Both teams came out the 1^st period hitting hard and players on both sides took heavy checks as they tested each other out. Hull’s Beach was in the sin bin after just 1 minute for boarding – the first of four boarding penalties on the night – setting the scene for the tone of the game. Up front for the Freeze, sharp shooter James Parsons tried his best but nothing was getting past Brummitt in the Hull goal, who’s form on the night showed just why he is also Hull’s Elite team’s back up net minder. When Andy Chappell took 2 mins for boarding it was Matty Compton in the Freeze goal who was under pressure, pulling out all the stops with some great reflex saves. At one stage the puck did bobble over the line into the net but the goal was disallowed for high sticks. Hull kept up the pressure but Compton again saved and held onto the puck. From the restart, on fire forward Si Furnival picked up the puck and headed goalward only to see his shot clutter down off Brummitt’s chin guard to be safely held on his chest. The game continued at a frenetic pace up and down the ice until Hull were first on to the score sheet with a goal from Ward in just under 7 and half minutes.  Parsons tried to even the score shooting in a loose puck after Hull’s defence tried to pass across goal but to no avail. Lovell atried a shot wide and Parsons performed a spectacular dive to the ice when a low check up-ended him as he was speeding in for another shot. Another attack saw him bundled into the Hull net after being brought down again on another charge (lets hope there is a photo on the website!). At the other end a Hull shot pinged off the post but the period ended with a flurry of activity at the Hull goal – but it was the same story as the rest of the 1st…nothing would go in.

Period score 0-1.SOG made Freeze – 17 Stingrays – 15

A disagreement at the Hull net saw the 2^nd period start with Parsons and Ward in the sin bin for roughing inside 1 minute. Callum Ruddick joined them for cross checking and the Freeze were down a man for a while. Back to full strength the Freeze continued to pile on the pressure forcing Hull into some desperate defending.  Just after 6 mins, Hull’s frustration shows and they were down to 4 out players after another boarding call when Parson’s is slammed into the boards. Freeze took advantage by throwing more shots in, until a Hull interception found Ward, keeping his eye on the puck as it flashed across the crease. He failed to see Captain Marc Lovell coming in to defend. Their ensuing collision in front of the net resulted in Ward crashing hard … head first into the boards behind the net. This, to the crowd’s bewilderment, resulted in Lovell getting 2 mins for boarding (which by definition should surely happen on the boards?). The collision didn’t seem to impair the Hull player much as he had a hand in their second goal skilfully scored by Hackford from a shot whilst on his knees to take it to 0 – 2.  Less than 2 minutes later, Freeze make it onto the score sheet when a goal mouth scramble saw Parsons add to his points tally, ably assisted by Lovell, and it was 1-2. Compton continued his great work between the Freeze posts keeping the marauding Stingrays at bay. With just under 3 minutes left on the clock for this period, defender Mike Jones made a great pass down the ice to Parsons waiting on the blue line. He immediately set his sights on the Hull goal and a lovely pass to Chappell, speeding goalward in support, resulted in goal number 2 for the Freeze – much to the home crowd’s relief.

Period score 2 – 2.SOG made Freeze – 14 Stingrays – 12.

The third period started with Freeze a man down with Steve Fellows in the sin bin for an interference call at the end of the 2^nd.  But the Freeze held firm. Compton in goal made saves from left, right and centre …pushing them wide, lifting them over, and holding shots in a great display of goal keeping. Play was fast and furious, end to end, and both teams gave it their all. Furnival and Hull’s Ralph were sin binned for 2 mins for high sticking after they got up close and personal.  But Ben Simister’s 2 minutes looked far more personal when he got 2 mins for holding after lying on top of a Hull forward in front of the Freeze net (oh, please let there be some photos on the web!). Compton continued his sterling job in goal with more great saves and, up front, Simister tried a shot and attempted a wrap around for the rebound. The last 2 minutes of the game saw both teams throw everything into winning the game. Parsons tried a slap shop but Hull’s Beach picked up the loose puck and flew down the ice to go 1 on 1 with Compton. The Freeze net minder, of course, held firm and the game ended with both teams sharing opinions as to ‘who should have won’ in a kafuffle at the Freeze net. Compton had the last say with a doink on a Hull player’s helmet getting him 2 for high sticks.  A great game for the fans, … but will the Freeze regret this with such a close fight for play offs?

Period score 2 – 2. SOG made Freeze – 16 Stingrays – 11

Total penalties incurred: Freeze – 16 mins, Stingrays – 10

MVP: Freeze – 33 Matty Compton

Stingrays – 23 Dan Hackford

Total shots on goal: faced by Freeze: 47, by Stingrays: 38

Flintshire Freeze deny defiant Fylde Flyers in 15-6 goalfest

After what seems an age, we saw the return of senior hockey on Sunday night as the Freeze welcomed colourful (tangerine shirts!) Blackpool side, Fylde Flyers, to the Deeside Ice Arena. And the game proved just as colourful for the home fans with goals and incidents a-plenty(see the website for photos!)

Freeze were first on the score sheet on 3:33mins when Andy Chappell assisted James Parsons’ first goal of the night. Inside 2 minutes, Parsons grabbed another from a Marc Lovell flick across the crease which went in off Flyers’ net minder Heyes’ skate heel. This was just the start of a bad night for the ex Freeze back up net minder, letting in 15 of the 43 shots against him, compared to Matty Compton between the Freeze posts, who only let in 6 of 36 shots – putting on another fine display with some spectacular saves. But the Flyers did get past him – their first coming quickly when Fylde high scorers Veldze and Caunce teamed up to take advantage of a Freeze defence discombobulated at a delayed penalty call to score taking it to 2-1. The Freeze pairing of Parsons and Chappell  looked impressive and worked hard up front, but it was a neat back-handed pass behind him that enable Aled Roberts to assist Parson’s for a fine goal to make it 3-1. At the halfway mark, Flyers cranked up a gear with Valdze forcing saves from Crompton with some shots from the blue line and Freeze found themselves defending with players in the sin bin. Flyers took advantage to get a shorthanded 2^nd. Veldze felt confident enough to pick up the puck on the halfway line, pirouette away from a Freeze defender and fire in a shot – but Compton held firm between the posts to make yet another great save. At the other end, Parsons bagged his hat trick (in the 1^st period!!! Go Snipper!!!) with the sweetest backhand shot for an unassisted short handed goal with 5 mins left. Defiantly, Flyers Valdze squeezed one past Compton to make it look close at 4-3. Freeze responded by throwing everything at the Flyers goal but didn’t score despite their t efforts.

Period score 4-3.SOG made Freeze – 14 Fylde – 13.

Second period – and I will have a pint of whatever the coach gave the Freeze lads in the break…they came out looking fierce and totally dominated play this period (Elvis who?). Even though Flyers called their bluff with the first goal (but their only goal this period) inside 35 secs to make it even at 4-4. The Freeze took their time and both sides settled down to some end to end play for the next 5 minutes. Then, the fast improving Mattie Wainwright in defence took the puck from a Flyers’ player to pass to Captain Marc Lovell, lurking on the blue line, to slot in a fine shot to retake the lead to 5-4.  A flurry of shots on the Flyers’ goal pays off with Wainwright assisted Furnival to yet another goal, to be quickly followed by his hat trick when he took the score to 7 – 4 assisted by Roberts. Compton saved a shot from Caunce but the play went straight to the other end with a poor clearance from Heyes falling straight to the stick of Chappell for a gift an of unassisted goal number 8 for the Freeze. Steve Fellows was rewarded for a solid game by getting on to the score sheet and Lovell also showed his class with his 2^nd goal to take it to 9-4. Flyers’ Veldze tried to shine by dummying to Caunce with a back pass though his legs across the Freeze goal… but Compton stood firm, unfazed, to pull off another cool save. It was Freeze’s Captain Lovell who showed his class at the other end to take the home team to double figures assisted by the on-form Parsons.

Period score 10-4.SOG made Freeze – 17 Fylde – 13.

The third period saw both teams finding their feet until Parsons swiftly scored 2 goals to take his tally to 5 for the night and the score to12-4. The game got grittier when Parsons went toe to toe with Flyers’ no 8 Melbourne after some synchronised tripping and falling to the ice (see the website for some interesting pictures of this particular kafuffle) and both cooled off in the sin bin for 4 mins. The niggles continued with both teams taking penalties until Williams ends the tetchy play with a great goal to make it 13-4. Veldze even tried a shot from in front of his own goal but there was no denying Freeze’s hold on this game. Compton pulled off save after save, whether slap shots or bouncers, or even on his knees. But play was mainly at and around the Flyers net. Fylde called time out after D Man Callum Ruddick smoothly slotted in goal number 14 for the Freeze. This tactic played off (make note Freeze coaches!) as they scored 13 secs from the restart but Lovell soon stuck the nail in the coffin with an exquisite unassisted goal for his hat trick 15 -5. With less than 30 secs on the clock, Flyers sneak in another consolatory goal and the games ends 15 -6. Flyers netminder Heyes collapsed on to the ice and had to be stretchered off after the final whistle. Yeah, that is the kind of pressure the Freeze put on visiting net minders. Hoo – hah!!!   Eat our ice, suckers!!!

Final score: 15-6. SOG made Freeze – 12 Fylde – 10

Hat tricks scored;

James Parsons: 3 goals

Si Furnival : 5 goals

Marc Lovell: 3 goals

MVP: Freeze – 5 James Parsons

Fylde – 16 Richard Hulme

Total shots on goal: faced by Freeze: 36, by Fylde: 48

Total penalties incurred: Freeze – 18 mins, Fylde – 12

Freeze pair step up

Both Flintshire Freeze captain Marc Lovell and top point scorer James Parsons have recently been called up to play for EPL side Telford Tigers and both have not looked out of place when asked to step up two Division.

Freeze coach Karl Creamer has strong links with Telford since first playing in the Shropshire sides inaugural season in 1985.

Since Creamers friend Tom Watkins became Head Player Coach of the EPL side, Creamer has also had a role filling in on the Telford coaching team.

When asked if the Freeze had a player to fill a short term gap he of course thought of Freeze captain Marc Lovell.

Creamer said “Last season my good friend Tom Watkins became the Head Coach (Player/Coach) of the Telford Tigers EPL team having previously played for ten seasons with the Coventry Blaze in the Elite League. Tom is also the Assistant Coach of the GB U20′s and very recently had four players from the Tigers selected to

play for their country in the World Championships in Germany. This left quite a gap in the Tigers team. I was asked by Tom if I had a player on my team that could make the step-up to EPL standard and ‘guest’ for the Telford Tigers. I immediately thought of Marc Lovell, he’s been there, done it and got the t-shirt, having previously played for Telford at this level. Marc played for the Tigers against the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday 10th

December and played very well”.

The Tigers were again short for this Saturdays game and requested the services of Lovell and another, Creamer of course thought of the inform Parsons. Creamer went on to say “Then Tom asked me if I had another player that I felt could ‘do a job’ for

the Tigers! I then thought our leading points scorer James Parsons, who has

been playing great for us so far this season. Marc was down to play for the

Tigers again on Saturday 17th December but couldn’t due to work commitment

so James made the journey by himself. James, as did Marc, did the Flintshire

Freeze proud and played great.

Both Marc and James gave a good account of themselves and could legally play

another two games this season for the Telford Tigers while still playing for

the Freeze and I am hoping that I can get them the opportunity to do so”.

Photographs by Matt Giles Photography

www.mattgilesphotography.co.uk

]]> http://www.flintshirefreeze.co.uk/1000-1000.html/feed 0