After another breathless weekend of action, what caught our eye from the rounds of games just past and other matters? We rounded up the five things we learned.
- Ice hockey still has work to do get mainstream media attention
If the GB snub on this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year shows us anything, it’s that there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to getting the attention of the top media outlets.
The fact there wasn’t so much as a mention for the second straight gold medal that takes the national team in the top tier of the World Championship for the first time in a quarter of a century is really poor for a ceremony that’s supposed to celebrate a year of sporting achievement.
When you consider the games were broadcast on Radio 5, to not even merit a mention is disappointing for what was achieved and the enormity of it under Pete Russell. It’s a big year ahead for ice hockey. But you would hardly know it if you watched the BBC.
- Latest Glasgow and Fife meeting could be interesting
On the back of an impressive weekend of results and the impending arrival of Guillaume Doucet, Glasgow Clan go to Fife Flyers on Saturday in a game that’s very interesting for both teams.
Saturday’s 3-1 success for Flyers over Guildford Flames has got them with three wins from their last four after a poor run of six straight defeats, but now, they seem to be finding their way again as they close in on the top three.
Fans are in for a treat and with Saturday the first of two meetings before the end of the calendar, they’re certainly ones to watch.
- Scott Matzka was a special guy
To be fair, that’s not something we’ve literally just learned, but the outpouring of tributes and kind words said about him is a true reflection of how he was seen and loved by many within the game.
Cardiff fans have posted in their droves as well as ex-team-mates to share their love and memories of a man who may have only stayed for two years in Wales, but left a lifetime of impressions.
He was special in every sense of the word and the tributes paid to him in the coming days and weeks will be richly deserved.
- Kirky is tearing it up in Peterborough
Another three goals on the board this week has taken Liam Kirk to double figures as his recent run of points and goals helped Peterborough Petes to two wins out of three.
He’s really starting to tear it up in the OHL and his story continues to grow, with a piece in the New York Times profiling him and his journey to Canada this weekend too.
People are starting to take notice of the Yorkshire product and we can only hope his story continues to add chapters until he gets where he wants to go.
- Steelers looking to the past for future glory
Another member of Sheffield Steelers team was announced as coming back when John Armstrong confirmed his return from financially troubled Medvescak Zagreb.
That’s four from last season’s team under Paul Thompson back in orange, joining Eric Neiley, Ben O’Connor and Jonas Westerling on the roster as they try to claw their way back, but it’s a different club to the one they left.
Thompson is gone of course and Sheffield, while performing better than they did earlier in the season, still have plenty of work to do. Will it pay off for them as the season goes on?
