2008–09 Guildford Flames season

During the 2008–09 season, the Guildford Flames participated in the semi-professional English Premier Ice Hockey League. It was the 17th year of Ice Hockey played by the Guildford Flames and the second season under Paul Dixon as head coach.

2008–9 Guildford Flames
League3rd EPIHL
2008–9 record34-17
Goals for230
Goals against173
Team information
General managerPaul Dixon
CoachPaul Dixon
ArenaGuildford Spectrum
Average attendance1499
Team leaders
GoalsMiloš Melicherík (33)
AssistsMiloš Melicherík (56)
PointsMiloš Melicherík (78)

During the summer Dixon worked to improve the defensive line by shipping out Dominic Hopkins and Ben Johnson, replacing them with 17-year-old Steven Lee[1] who had already played two seasons with Elite League side Hull, and bringing toughness to the team in the form of Mark Williams[2] from Romford. Other departures included fringe player Ben Duggan who was replaced by Matt Hepburn[3] from the juniors. The main talking point over the summer was the departure of long time top goal scorer Jozef Kohut,[4] leaving the team with what many believed was a weak offence.

After an indifferent start to the season with 3 wins and 3 losses, it was announced on 9 October that the Flames would travel to Slovakia and take part in an exhibition against Extraliga side Poprad in a game opened by the Queen during her state visit to the country.[5] After a poor run of results in November and a multiple game ban for import Vaclav Zavoral, the decision was taken to sign Czech Martin Bouz.[6] A surprise departure was the main feature of January with Mark Williams[7] leaving to pursue work commitments and to play closer to home with the Romford Raiders.

League table

Final Table

Team Pld. W OTL/SOL L GF GA Pts.
Peterborough Phantoms ** 543831327516679
Milton Keynes Lightning * 543461422115974
Guildford Flames * 543431723017371
Slough Jets * 543122121717964
Bracknell Bees * 543012317614861
Romford Raiders * 542732419725957
Sheffield Scimitars * 542252718720249
Swindon Wildcats * 542322915719448
Telford Tigers 541753218624539
Wightlink Raiders 541423818932130

[*] Secured Play-off Berth. [**] EPL League Champions

Peterborough are EPL League Champions 2008/09

Premier Cup table

Final Table

Team Pld. W OTL/SOL L GF GA Pts.
Peterborough Phantoms * 181314885427
Guildford Flames * 181215805625
Slough Jets * 181215775125
Bracknell Bees * 181107624422
Sheffield Scimitars 18927635520
Telford Tigers 18927687020
Milton Keynes Lightning 18828595818
Swindon Wildcats 18909535418
Wightlink Raiders 185013539910
Romford Raiders 182115481105

[*] Secured Semi-final Berth.

Premier Cup Finals

Aggregate Scores

Semifinals Finals
      
1 Peterborough Phantoms 6
4 Bracknell Bees 4
1 Peterborough Phantoms 9
2 Guildford Flames 7
2 Guildford Flames 5
3 Slough Jets 3
  • Peterborough Phantoms are the EPL Cup Champions 2008/09

Playoffs

Aggregate Scores for quarter-finals

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
1 Peterborough Phantoms 10
8 Swindon Wildcats 4
1 Peterborough Phantoms 4
4 Slough Jets 2
4 Slough Jets 7
5 Bracknell Bees 5
1 Peterborough Phantoms 5
2 Milton Keynes Lightning 4
3 Guildford Flames 11
6 Romford Raiders 5
2 Milton Keynes Lightning 3
3 Guildford Flames 2
2 Milton Keynes Lightning 8
7 Sheffield Scimitars 6
  • Peterborough are the 2008/09 EPL Playoff champions

Results

September
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
20thBracknell BeesHomeWon 4–11,737League/CupJoe Watkins
21stRomford RaidersAwayWon 8–2Not ReportedLeague/CupN/A
27thSwindon WildcatsAwayWon 3–2Not ReportedLeague/CupN/A
28thWightlink RaidersHomeLost 4–61,157League/CupPaul Dixon

October
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
4thMilton Keynes LightningAwayLost 6–5 (OT)1,093League/CupLukas Smital
5thTelford TigersHomeLost 3–41,538League/CupLukas Smital
11thSheffield ScimitarsHomeWon 3–2 (SO)1,249League/CupJoe Watkins
12thPeterborough PhantomsAwayWon 7–3526League/CupJoe Watkins
15thPeterborough PhantomsHomeWon 4–2945League/CupJoe Watkins
18thSlough JetsAwayWon 6–5649League/CupLukas Smital
19thWightlink RaidersHomeLost 4–51,424LeagueStephen Lee
24thHK Aquacity ŠKP PopradAwayLost 6–54,500ExhibitionN/A
25thBracknell BeesHomeWon 1–01,542LeagueNick Cross
26thTelford TigersAwayWon 4–3 (OT)675League/CupRick Plant

November
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
1stSlough JetsHomeLost 2–31,308League/CupLukas Smital
2ndSlough JetsAwayLost 5–6 (OT)320LeaguePaul Dixon
8thSwindon WildcatsAwayWon 6–3754League/CupLukas Smital
9thSwindon WildcatsHomeWon 4–21,568League/CupNeil Liddiard
15thSheffield ScimitarsAwayWon 7–4364League/CupRick Plant
16thMilton Keynes LightningHomeLost 2–41,161League/CupDavid Savage
19thRomford RaidersHomeWon 6–21,016League/CupAlex Mettam
22ndWightlink RaidersAwayLost 5–4509League/CupStuart Potts
23rdTelford TigersHomeWon 4–21,368LeagueAlex Mettam/Mark Williams
29thRomford RaidersHomeWon 7–21,238LeagueMartin Bouz
30thBracknell BeesAwayWon 4–0Not ReportedLeague/CupJoe Watkins

December
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
6thMilton Keynes LightningAwayLost 2–5809LeagueN/A
7thSheffield ScimitarsHomeWon 4–31,568LeagueLukas Smital
14thPeterborough PhantomsAwayLost 2–4542LeagueJoe Watkins
26thBracknell BeesAwayLost 1–2910LeagueDavid Savage
27thPeterborough PhantomsHomeWon 6–5 (OT)1,623LeagueLukas Smital
28thTelford TigersAwayWon 5–4Not ReportedLeagueOllie Bronnimann

January
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
1stBracknell BeesHomeWon 4–11,753LeagueMartin Bouz
3rdSlough JetsAwayWon 7–3751LeagueJoe Watkins
4thSlough JetsHomeLost 5–31,421LeagueNick Cross
11thWightlink RaidersHomeWon 7–21,552LeagueNeil Liddiard
17thRomford RaidersHomeLost 3–41,535LeagueStuart Potts
24thSwindon WildcatsAwayLost 2–4902LeagueLukas Smital
25thSwindon WildcatsHomeWon 8–22,124LeagueVaclav Zavoral
31stWightlink RaidersAwayWon 6–5 (SO)560LeagueLukas Smital

February
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
1stMilton Keynes LightningHomeWon 5–41,336LeagueTerry Miles
8thBracknell BeesAwayWon 4–3 (OT)N/ALeagueOllie Bronnimann
14thPeterborough PhantomsAwayWon 4–2493LeagueN/A
15thSlough JetsHomeLost 3–21,634LeagueJoe Watkins
19thSlough JetsHomeDrawn 1–12,057Cup Semi-final (1st Leg)David Savage
21stPeterborough PhantomsHomeWon 5–31,551LeagueBen Austin
22ndSheffield ScimitarsAwayLost 5–4627LeagueN/A
25thSlough JetsAwayWon 4–2702Cup Semi-final (2nd Leg)N/A
28thWightlink RaidersAwayLost 3–2 (SO)582LeagueStuart Potts

March
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
1stMilton Keynes LightningHomeLost 4–21,442LeagueMilos Melicherik
7thTelford TigersHomeWon 4–11,923LeagueRob Lamey
8thRomford RaidersAwayLost 3–2382LeaguePaul Dixon
14thTelford TigersAwayWon 5–3450LeagueN/A
15thSheffield ScimitarsHomeWon 4–21,332LeagueTaras Foremsky
18thPeterborough PhantomsHomeWon 4–31,347Cup Final (1st Leg)Rick Skene
21stMilton Keynes LightningAwayWon 4–3 (SO)965LeagueNick Cross
22ndSwindon WildcatsHomeWon 6–11,252LeagueDavid Savage
26thPeterborough PhantomsAwayLost 6–4 (Lost 9–7 on Agg)N/ACup Final (2nd Leg)Unknown
28thSheffield ScimitarsAwayWon 4–2757LeagueUnknown
29thRomford RaidersAwayLost 8–6N/ALeagueOllie Bronnimann

April
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceCompetitionMan of the Match
4thRomford RaidersAwayWon 6–4N/APlay-off Quarter-final (1st Leg)Lukas Smital
5thRomford RaidersHomeWon 5–1 (Won 11–5 on Agg)2,126Play-off Quarter-final (2nd Leg)Rick Plant
11thMilton Keynes LightningSkyDome ArenaLost 3–2 (SO)N/APlay-off Semi-finalOllie Bronnimann

Points for the 2008/09 season

Final Standing

Name Pld. Goals Assists Points Pims PP SH GW OT EN
Milos Melicherik 572256784053610
Lukas Smital 593145768053500
Taras Foremsky 533337707862400
Rob Lamey 602534592040300
Rick Plant 551934537901510
Stuart Potts 611037474311100
Ollie Bronnimann 602118391621300
Paul Dixon 57730373230000
David Savage 6117193610260000
Vaclav Zavoral 4614183221521200
Martin Bouz 261215273200310
Nick Cross 291311237430001
Neil Liddiard 58717249611000
Steve Lee 561112236141200
Terry Miles 50516212600000
Rick Skene 52311148000000
Mark Williams * 301346200100
Ben Austin 611341600000
Matt Hepburn 38022000000
Callum Best 35011000000
Joe Watkins 54011600000
Andrew Sumner 1000000000
Alex Mettam 9000000000

[*]No Longer on Active Roster

Goaltender Stats 2008/09

Final

Name Mins Pld. GA GAA Shots Saves Save % SO Record (W-L-OTL-T)
Alex Mettam 460:00192,4782192000,91306–1–0–0
Joe Watkins 3232:211693,132189517260,911232–17–4–1
Empty Net 7:473–3–-––

Special teams

Final

  • Powerplay 42 for 204 – 20.6%
  • Penalty Kill 241 for 293 – 82.3%

Penalty Shots 08/09

Final

Skaters
Name Shots Goals Pct. %
Martin Bouz 5480
Lukas Smital 7228.6
Taras Foremsky 4125
Vaclav Zavoral 300

Goaltenders
Name Shots Saves Pct. %
Joe Watkins 211466.6

End of Season Awards

The traditional End of Season Awards dinner was held on Monday 30 March 2009. The following awards were given out:

Most Sportsman like – #37 Ben Austin

British Player of the year – #8 Rob Lamey

Players Player of the year – #8 Rob Lamey

Top Point Scorer – #21 Milos Melicherik

The GIHSC (Guildford Ice Hockey Supporters Club) Voted the following:

Supporters British Player of the year – #8 Rob Lamey

Supporters Player of the year – #77 Taras Foremsky

Roster

+Management

  • CEO Rob Hepburn
  • Commercial Manager Kirk Humphreys
  • Financial Controller Thomas Hepburn
Coaching staff
Goaltenders
Forwards
Defenders
  • 4 Neil Liddiard – Alternate Captain
  • 6 David Savage
  • 22 Paul Dixon
  • 24 Mark Williams
  • 37 Ben Austin
  • 45 Steve Lee
  • 55 Rick Skene

References
  1. Official Release, Published Summer 2008
  2. Official Release, Published Summer 2008
  3. Official Release, Published Summer 2008
  4. Official Release, Published Summer 2008
  5. Official Release, Published 9 October 2008
  6. Official Release, Published 19 November 2008
  7. Official Release, Published January 2008
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