It’s Christmas week and we’re in a good mood as we get ready to enjoy the festive season, but it didn’t stop us picking up what we learned over the course of the last few days.
1. Rod Stewart is a Lightning fan
We all know legendary singer Rod Stewart likes his sport, particularly football where he’s a well known supporter of Celtic, but it looks like he’s adopting Milton Keynes Lightning as his ice hockey team.
Of course, the fact his son, Liam was turning out for them may have something to do with it and going by the pics he had taken with the team and a few fans, he had a great time.
Stewart Jr. picked up a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 5-3 win over Basingstoke Bison in front of his old man as Lightning continue their resurgence in the NIHL National League and you can bet Rod will be back again soon.
Carlo Finucci sunk Manchester Storm in overtime in their Star Wars theme night for the second time (PHOTO: Mark Ferriss)
2. Carlo used the Force
Like Obi-Wan Kenobi slain by Darth Vader in the original Star Wars, Carlo Finucci struck down Manchester Storm to use the Force in helping him clinch an overtime win for Fife Flyers on Saturday in Storm’s theme night dedicated to the movie franchise.
He has previous for it before when he scored the OT goal that sent them to the final four of the play-offs in April 2018 and it’s fair to say he enjoys it.
So, like the films themselves, he’s had two of them. What do you think are the chance of him completing a trilogy?
It’s been a new challenge for Glasgow Clan coach Zack Fitzgerald (PHOTO: Al Goold)
3. Testing times in Glasgow
Zack Fitzgerald’s Glasgow Clan side – after going so well in the early part of the season – are in the midst of adversity after another pointless weekend left them with eight league losses in their last nine.
Injuries have hindered them and the effect of having as many as three or four players out a night is taking its toll on them as they slipped to seventh place in the standings.
With one goal scored in three of their last four league games now, the chances aren’t being buried and the Clan coach is learning quickly about the good and the bad of his job.
Thank you to my personal food chopper guy #AboveAndBeyond #BigMike #OfferedToChewIt 😂 @okey1717 pic.twitter.com/G6EPiaVAvB
— Robert Dowd (@dowdy75) December 22, 2019
4. Mike O’Connor – the ultimate Commerical Manager
Sheffield Steelers suffered a blow with the news that Robert Dowd would be out long term with a dislocated shoulder and a damaged acromioclavicular joint, requiring surgery.
So it’s nice that former GB legend and Steelers’ commercial manager Mike O’Connor dropped in to see him in hospital and helped Dowd out by cutting up his food, due to the seriousness of his injury.
It’s really good to see a man of his position go the extra length to help out one of his players and we wish Dowdy all the best in his recovery.
Murrayfield Racers had that winning feeling again at the weekend (PHOTO: Ian Coyle)
5. Murrayfield Racers have that winning feeling again
The SNL’s first cup final of the season saw Murrayfield Racers hold on to the Stuart Robertson Cup as they defeated Dundee Comets over the two legs to take the silverware.
Since they reformed last year, they’ve really taken to life in the SNL and have improved while competing in the the NIHL North Cup.
They’re certainly the team to beat in that league right now, but are a bit behind with fixtures right now against a Solway Sharks team with 12 out of 12 compared to only five played by Racers.
But don’t bet against them going by what they’ve done in the last couple of years.
