S E P T . 2 0 2 0 | I S S U E 1 PIRATE NEWS An official publication of the University of El Dorado 1 3 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 DEJA VU AS A R T I C L E S I N S I D E : PHANTOMS AND PIRATES CONTINUE TO REVIEW OF PHANTOMS FRIENDLIES THRILL by Mark Dean, University President LOYALTY PARTNER SCHEME LAUNCHES OPENING FANS SOCIAL EVENT GAME PREVIEW H U L L P I R A T E S V M I L T O N K E Y N E S L I G H T N I N G The predicted demise of Sheffield Steeldogs, The Pirate’s impressive start to the ‘friendly’ following an exodus of players during the season saw them extend their form from the summer, proved to be premature after their Playoffs, with two wins over Peterborough friendly fixtures with MK Lightning. Phantoms. Hull’s emphasis remains firmly on Sheffield demonstrated the magnitude of the attack and judging by its performance against task facing the former EIHL side in their the Phantoms, the Davies-Hewitt- efforts to make an impression in UK ice Chamberlain axis is already firing. Add to this, hockey’s new second tier. While the two two potent imports in Peter Fabus and Olegs defeats may not be a reliable marker, given Sislannikovs and only the strongest defences the breadth of talent among MK’s ranks, in the National League will be able to resist there is a sense that MK will take time to find their onslaught. Where Hull may struggle is stability after last season’s office upheaval. when and if they encounter such a defensive unit. Where MK may struggle is in defending their net. Brandon Stones, who has endured some Kevin Phillips is tasked with coaching a unit tortuous performances against Hull, has a that defends high but as a consequence, shortage of game time as first choice exposes netminder Ash Smith to an netminder and in these circumstances, MK abundance of shots (42 in the home fixture would be expected to circle him with a steely against Peterborough). At the tender age of defence. Instead, they have recruited a unit 20, he is a treble winner but is one of the that looks short of numbers and experience. youngest goalies in the league and between In offence, there is an odd blend of old and five to ten years from the peak normally young players with none at peak age. Russ associated with netminders. Shielding him Cowley and Leigh Jamieson have pedigree in from an excess of shots remains a priority and abundance but at 36 and 34 respectively, their will be a challenge for Assistant Coach, ageing legs will be sorely tested this Phillips. campaign. Hailed as one of the best signings of the summer, Cale Tanaka is the wrong side It might be argued that there are few of 30 and his figures from last season do not takeaways from friendly fixtures but this inspire confidence. That places a heavy coming weekend’s ties against MK are likely reliance on import forwards, Tomas Kana and to demonstrate where Lightning’s sights are Ari Närhi. If these two unknown quantities set. Hull can only do what they did against can strike a rich stream of scoring, MK can the Phantoms and showcase what is the most surround them with capable supporting impressive and exciting forward line outside players but that is a large ‘if’. MK have enough the EIHL. Should these sides repeat the quality to avoid being cannon fodder for their thrillers witnessed last week, and establish a National League rivals but this may be a pattern for the season, fans can expect an season of consolidation. exhilarating inaugural National League campaign. GAME REVIEW H U L L P I R A T E S V P E T E R B O R O U G H P H A N T O M S No matter what the sport, there is a tendency Sunday’s game in Hull was played out in front for friendly fixtures to attract age-old of an impressive early season crowd. No such adages. There is no such thing as a friendly thing as a friendly? Within minutes of the is a case in example. Who could expect faceoff, both sides crashed into the tie as if Peterborough Phantoms and Hull Pirates to their lives depended on it. By the end of the take this particular adage so literally over last first period, twelve players had sat out weekends’ two-leg affair? penalties. At times, individual battles littered the ice, threatening to overwhelm the officials Billed as an opportunity for the Phantoms to who had a torrid night maintaining control. revenge their defeat to Hull in the 2018/19 Nevertheless, between the repeated Playoff Final, few supporters believed that skirmishes and penalties, the most sublime the meeting amounted to more than a casual hockey was played out. warmup. Yet instead, fans were treated to a pair of enthralling games. Peterborough established a 2-0 first period lead and carried a 5-3 lead into the third In Saturday’s first leg in Peterborough, Hull period, Glenn Billing and Conor Pollard being Import’s, Olegs Sislannikovs and Peter Fabus the outstanding players for the Phantoms. made their debuts soon after landing in the When they extended the lead to 6-3, it UK and will be relieved to open their points appeared as though Hull would revert to tally. However, it is the tried and trusted unit damage limitation but instead, the mercurial of Davies-Hewitt-Chamberlain that wreaked line of Hewitt-Davies-Chamberlain struck two havoc among Phantom’s defence. Thanks to goals. Jordan Fisher then collected his their goals, Hull emerged 4-3 victors in second of the night with less than three overtime, courtesy of a match-winning goal remaining minutes on the clock or rather a from Bobby chamberlain, assisted by Matty clock that was infuriating malfunctioning. Davies, notably the same combination that inflicted defeat on the Phantoms during the With fans guessing at how much time Playoff Final. remained before the final hooter, they were treated to gripping end-to-end hockey. GAME REVIEW H U L L P I R A T E S V P E T E R B O R O U G H P H A N T O M S (For the third time in the last three games between these sides, the match entered overtime. How Peterborough must have hoped to break their sense of Déjà Vu. Hull simply set about repeating history. After only fifty three seconds of the restart, Hull’s Player Coach, Hewitt, took the puck along the full length of the ice to score a stunning solo goal. What of that other adage: you can’t take anything from friendlies. This may be true because it is impossible to predict who will win the National League by simply extrapolating these results. However, what we can foresee is the likelihood that these two teams will be there or thereabouts when the 2019/20 Playoffs take place. will appear on our Pirates website. A new innovation for the 2019/20 season is the start of fan's social events. These are in the planning Fans stage but will feature regular weekly and monthly events. Pre- match gatherings are planned to take place at Taphouse in Humber Street, Hull. Families are welcome Social at the bar where the innovative Street Food kitchen serves food on Sunday afternoons prior to face off. A full list of events is being planned and will be published in this News newsletter and our website. Support the Pirates at Taphouse: before every game, fans are invited For the 2019/20 season, Hull Pirates Media and to gather at Taphouse to enjoy a Social Team are bringing together a group of beer, coffee, soft drinks and Street partners under a Loyalty Partner Shceme. These Food. Taphouse is preparing a partners are drawn from local companies or bespoke ale for Pirate fans and companies with a strong local connection. Pirate cocktail along with a range of special food and drink offers. The list of partners is growing but currently includes a list of companies handpicked by Media Team co-ordinator, Ian Mowforth: Taphouse, Ambiente, Megan Una, Artisan Fine Art, Zinc Hair Salon, Pro Sports Cars, BeCoffee and Berts Pizzeria. Over the coming weeks we will feature each partner and a full list of partners and their loyalty SPONSOR NEWS 2019/20 Sponsors 29 sponsors signed for the Joining the Hull Pirates for the 2019/20 2019/20 National National League season are title sponsors League Smailes Goldie and Henderson Employee Season Benefits. Over 27 sponsors have been signed up with the Pirates in addition to the title sponsors. There are 27 sponsors joining the two title 'I am sponsors humbled by the response of existing These include: Bench Buddy, ESS Ltd, Southwood and new Garden Centre, Village Gym, Village Hotels, Great Newsome Brewery, PBS Construction, NFU Mutual, sponsors Skaters Edge, Back to Chiropractic, RPS Construction, to support Tech Repair Base, Electric Center, Complete the Pirates Refrigeration Services, Ayre Dental, Edmundson Electrical, Whites Ship Hire, Trophy Supermarket, new MWJ Trophies, Trent Design and Engineering, Bauer, season,' Abbotrack Security Solutions, Yorkshire Maintenance Andre Co Ltd, Acklams Coaches, Megan Una and KEYO Payette Agricultural Services Ltd. NATIONAL LEAGUE NEWS EXCITING FRIENDLIES SET AN EXCITING PRECDENT FOR THE NEW NATIONAL LEAGUE Friendlies may not prove anything in terms of the season to come but the ones played last weekend set a tone for attacking, free-flowing ice hockey that will whet supporters appetites for the forthcoming season.