Winter Olympic dream over for Welsh ice hockey stars

A wrist injury suffered by Phil Hill added to the woes of Team GB’s ice hockey side, whose hopes of making their first Winter Olympics appearance since 1948 ended over the weekend.

Following an opening 6-2 loss to hosts Latvia last week, they went down 4-2 to France on Friday (February 8) afternoon, before losing 6-0 to Kazakhstan on Sunday (February 10).

The wrist injury suffered by Hill ruled him out of the Kazakhstani tie, with fellow Cardiff-born stars Jonathan Phillips and Matthew Myers unable to help their side to victory against sides ranked above them in the current world rankings.

Cardiff-born netminder Stevie Lyle was left out of the final match so that Hull Stingrays’ Ben Bowns could make his international debut for GB.

The French (14^th) and Kazakhstani (17^th) sides both place higher than Team GB in 21^st, and the French match in particular saw them put in a good account of themselves with a terrific third period comeback.

But it was again ill-discipline that cost Team GB, with two of their four goals coming on power plays, with Hill’s first-period injury also limiting their chances.

Against Kazakhstan, GB fell behind after just 30 seconds, with their opponents never looking back.

Ill-discipline cost them again, with one of Kazakhstan’s goals coming from a five-on-three after penalties against Phillips and team-mate Rod Sarich.

However, there is good news for Devils fans regarding Hill’s injury, with GB head coach Tony Hand saying: “Phil went for an x-ray and the good news is that this showed there was no break.”

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Welshmen can’t help Team GB win in Latvia

Three Cardiff-born stars were among the Team GB side who went down 6-2 in their opening Winter Olympics ice hockey qualifier in Latvia on Thursday.

Netminder Stevie Lyle and forwards Jonathan Phillips and Matthew Myers were aiming to help Team GB qualify for their first Winter Olympics since 1948, but were powerless to stop a Latvia side ranked 10 places above them in the world rankings.

Latvia took the lead early on before Robert Dowd equalised for Team GB, but the hosts built up a four-goal cushion as the game wore on.

Craig Peacock netted a consolation during a power-play, before Latvia restored their four-goal cushion.

Ill-discipline at times cost the team, with the Latvians capitalising on power-plays, but Team GB can be very proud of giving the world No11 nation a good game, particularly as many of Latvia’s stars ply their trade in the NHL.

Britain can still qualify for Sochi 2014, but have to beat France in their game on Friday and then Kazakhstan on Sunday, and hope that Latvia drop points in one of their two remaining fixtures as only the top team will qualify.

Kazakhstan have already shocked France with a 3-2 victory as Team GB played Latvia, so the Brits will be confident of all teams taking points off of each other.

Britain’s Peacock said: “Latvia are a very good ice hockey team but they scored three power-play goals and you can’t give a team of that calibre those sort of chances because they will put them away.”

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Devils lose Faulkner for season

The Cardiff Devils are today reeling from the news that top scorer Mac Faulkner will miss the remainder of the season following an injury sustained during a “dangerous” challenge from Belfast Giants’ Greg Stewart during their match on February 3.

Stewart didn’t endear himself with the Devils fans during that game, and as a result of two rash challenges, he has been handed a nine-match suspension by the EIHL disciplinary committee. But that will be scant consolation to the Devils.

A statement from CEO Paul Ragan read: “We have been dealt a huge blow by losing Mac to a season ending injury to his lower body that will require surgery to repair. We will stand beside Mac in a difficult time for him personally and now a challenging time for us as a club.

“Mac has been outstanding for us this season on and off the ice and he will continue to remain a big part of our Devils plans going forward."

Ragan added of the suspension handed to Stewart: “It is an important statement from the Elite League about its intention to protect our EIHL players from facing deliberate and dangerous play during matches. We will not comment further about the suspension levied against Mr Stewart.”

Belfast Giants head coach Doug Christiansen has confirmed that the club will appeal against the ruling.

Faulkner has been in impressive form this term, with his 35 goals and 30 assists in 45 matches placing him third behind Dundee Stars’ Sami Ryhanen and David Ling (Nottingham Panthers) in the Elite League top scorers list.

The Devils will now search for a replacement to help their run of getting to the play-offs every year in the EIHL, finishing runner-up on four occasions.

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Devils find a replacement netminder with help from a former star

The Cardiff Devils coaching staff are relieved to have found a replacement netminder for recently departed Phil Osaer, with Canadian Chris Whitley flying in to sign, subject to a visa.

The Devils face a tough weekend with Sheffield away on Saturday, January 26, followed by Nottingham at home the following day.

The deal for the former Dundee Stars stopper was tied up in less than 24 hours, with Whitley due to fly in tomorrow (January 24) to practice with his new team-mates. He will wear the number 83 jersey.

Coach Neil Francis told the Devils’ website of his delight that they had been able to tie down a successful ‘keeper in such a short space of time ahead of the looming transfer deadline.

He said: “It’s been a manic few days for G [Devils’ head coach Gerad Adams] and I, with lots of emails and phone calls looking for the right guy at this stage of the season.

“We are very excited to welcome Chris to the team and he’s excited to be joining us. He was a handful to play against last year and always gave Dundee the chance to win games they perhaps shouldn’t have.

“Sometimes a change can ignite a team so hopefully this is the case as we look to finish strongly in the league, preparing us well for the play-offs.

“We are also searching for an additional import forward to boost our attacking options and hope to have some news on that shortly.”

Local media are reporting that former Devils star Scott Dobben put Whitley in touch with the club after hearing the Devils were looking for a new player. Dobben and Whitley were at college together.

During his time at Dundee, Whitley posted three shutouts, while facing more than 2,000 shots at an 89.7% save percentage. He made 1,797 saves, the third best in the league behind Fife’s Garrett Zemlak and Hull’s Christian Boucher.

Head coach Adams added: “We had a number of options who were mainly younger guys with potential, but once Chris’ name came up he immediately became our first-choice target.

“Having played in this league last year he knows what it’s all about, and hopefully that will cut down the bedding-in time that may be expected for a goaltender that would be new to the league.”

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Devils looking for divine intervention in goal

The Cardiff Devils are frantically searching for a new netminder after first choice Phil Osaer ended his second spell at the club prematurely to move to Norway.

Backup Joe Myers will now get a chance to start for the club tomorrow against the Edinburgh Capitals after the Scottish club confirmed they would be travelling to south Wales for the fixture after reassurances from their travel operator.

Manager Gerad Adams and bench coach Neil Francis are now scouring the UK and abroad for a suitable replacement for Osaer.

It is the second time the 32-year-old has left south Wales for Norway, having quit in 2008 to sign for Sparta Warriors, after returning in this year’s off season.

He said: “When I came back to Cardiff, my desire was to be here for several years and to help build a side that would win championships. It’s truly disappointing and I am devastated to be leaving, however myself and my family are excited about a fresh start.”

Early rumours circulated about a return to the club for Cardiff-born Stevie Lyle, but these were quickly quashed by local media sources and the Devils have now also confirmed this on their website.

Adams said that although Osaer will be missed, he understands his reasons for leaving.

“This is a huge loss for us” he said. “Phil is not only a great goalie but also a model professional and has a positive attitude. He will be very tough to replace, indeed at this late stage of the season.

“Phil was made an offer he couldn’t refuse so to speak, and it could open further opportunities for him in the future. Though this is very hard for us we wish Phil the best of luck.

“We are looking at all possibilities and working very hard to find a new goalie.”

Fans shouldn’t be too concerned about Myers having to step in, after the local lad starred in a penalty shootout win against the Sheffield Steelers last month, saving three of the four shots he faced.

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