Nottingham Panda's Version 2.0

Stay Tuned - we haven't gone extinct yet!!!

Have A Happy New Year

Squealers 3 Panthers 2 - House of Tin - 03.11.06

Squealers clearly trying to fill the ice with sponsors

Panthers were generally awful, until the 3rd period.
They were much improved back @ the NIC on Sat night when we drew 2-2.
Unfortunately that sent those from Mordor through 5-4 on agg.

#78 Spen

ps. Sammo has got some good photo's from the other Panda's trip to Rouen & I'm trying my best to make him post them - he's just being very lazy!!!!

in honour of our Captain (& while all the other Panda's are in/coming back from France) I've adopted the lttle fellow in the sidebar - I'm not sure if he plays hockey but if you feed him some bamboo & he'll befriend you!

#78 Spen

WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

It's 9 from a possible 10 points so far! What a great start it has been! The only blemish on the card is the loss on penalty shots to the Belfast Giants.

So Thoughts on our side so far?

Clarkey is our leader!!

As Spen say's "CLARKEY IS OUR LEADER" The man has begun the season like a man possessed!! It's so nice the see a British player top of the scoring charts!

"Evan Lindsey makes a save!" Surprising I know! Not had the greatest start as a panthers goalie but the man is getting better and has made some very very important saves!

Defence looks great, Corey Neilson is going to be a Legend in the Black and Gold!

Also got to say I'm loving the Sean McAslan & Steve Simoes show!

Warren before the shootout competition!

Our leader Warren!! CRAP AT SHOOTING THE PUCK!!! Yep he gets on the Ice for the shootout competition and doesn't score a single goal! SHOCKING! Then tries to blame it on the amount of beer he's drunk, just because it's his birthday, AS IF MATE!

But to top it all off!! Picture this..... The usual crew sat in block 11! Singing our head's off! (Nothing strange there!) Then all of a sudden one of the stewards comes over and asks us the try and keep the noise down! KEEP THE NOISE DOWN! YOUR HAVING A LAUGH AINT YA! So that's it folks the panda's have had they're first arena warning to keep the noise down at the hockey, didn't realise we were in the Library! Still as churchill said! We will fight them on the beaches!

Anyway hopefully Warren, Keefe and co will let know about the Edinburgh double header weekend!! See you all at the Cardiff game on sat, make sure you have your drinking heads on as it's my birthday on Friday so it's party time!!

WOOOOOOOOOO

Sammo

Panthers 2 Pheonix 1

Some notes from last night:

• Warren is only 27, not 37 as mentioned during his valliant shooting attempt!
• Ted, I think has gone quite nuts! - what's with the mask young man?
• Keith's hat is class
• Clarkey is our leader!!
• I want written proof that SDS are really the best place to store my "records & information" in Nottingham
  
• What happened to Jackson Quinn?
  

#78 Spen

So lets begin with those crazy Goalies!!!!!

Firstly we'll begin with the re-signing of.......

#20 Geoff Woolhouse

Geoff is our young British back up for what is now his 4th season in the Black and Gold.

I'm personally pleased to see him back, still young lad I'm sure he can keep on developing and hopefully will become a great asset to the club. All in all a solid back up netminder and hopefully the best of him is yet to come. Keep up the good work Geoff!!

Our House in action!!!!!

Next we have a new signing.......

#31 Evan Lindsey

Evan will be our #1 Goalie this season having spent last season playing in the CHL for Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees (What a mouthful!) He also got picked for the CHL All star team last season.

I think he'll be a very good signing for us although I will miss Curtis! Good luck in Newcastle!! But not too much good luck ;-)

I remember when he was over here playing for the London Racers and he seemed like a good solid goalie but not a superstar! Although he did have a very poor defense in front of him that season!

One of the strangest things about Evan is that he is a goalie who has been drafted twice, first by Calgary in 1997 when he was a second round draft pick (32nd overall) and then again in 1999 he was drafted by Montreal in the 4th round (107th overall)

All I have to say is welcome Evan and I hope you have a great season between the pipes! The only thing is it might take some time to come up with a song/chant for you!!

Evan playing for the Killer Bees

Evan playing for the Racers in 2004

Stay tuned for the Defencemen, I'll be looking at them next!!

Keep it loud people!! Only 3 weeks til it's "LETS GO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!"

Sammo #86

So Then Panthers Fan's the New Season is Fast Approaching!!

So what has been going on in the world of the Panda's and the Panthers, well to be honest I'm not sure what the other Panda's have been up to!! I'll let them fill you in on what they've been doing but I've been away playing lots and lots of cricket and drinking stupid amounts of beer!!
(Now there's a surprise!!)

So What's been happening in the Panther world. Well it's been all change on the coaching front with Mr Blaisdail's contract not being renewed as it was felt a fresh approach was needed so up steps retiring GB international Mike Ellis. Hopefully he will give us the fresh ideas we need to bring home some silverware this year!!

Also last years captain Calle "The Moose" Carlsson is returning but as assistant coach to Mr Ellis as I will call him for now!! Both Mr Ellis and Calle are registered as played so if we have a short bench they will play!!

Over the next few weeks I will go through who we've signed for this coming season, starting with the goalies, followed by the defencemen and finally the forwards!! I'll not tell you who other teams have signed as let's be honest:
1) We don't really care!!!
and
2) I can't be bothered!!!

So there we are the build up has begun and I look forward to the new season!! One thing I did forget to tell you though is that Panthers will once again be representing GB in the
Continental Cup (Hockey's Equivalent to the European Cup!!)
So the Panda's will be off to France following the teams up's and downs!! Hopefully we should be able to keep you pretty up to date on things over there!!

So to finish off here's a few quick pics of the Coach and his assistant!!

New Head Coach Mike Ellis

New Assistant Coach Calle Carlsson

So that concludes it all for now!! Keep popping back for the Profile and opinions on the new signings and re-signings!!

Keep the faith!! Keep it load!!

Sammo #86

Yet Another Trophyless Season for the Panthers.......

....Still theres always next year!!!


Well that's it folks the end of yet another season for the panthers and despite the return of Mike Blaisdell we failed to win a trophy, but even though we didn't win to be honest we didn't have that bad a season, finishing 3rd in the league, but then again I know a lot of people were expecting more but I have to say I'm not too disapointed. So here is the roll of honour for the 2005/06 season:

League Champions- Belfast Giants
Challenge Cup Winners - Cardiff Devils
Crossover Cup Winners - Sheffield Steelers
Playoff Final Champions - Newcastle Vipers

Well Done to all the teams!! It was nice to see that the trophy's were shared round this year!!

Play-Off Weekend 08.04.06/09.04.06

No mass of words from yours truly, I'll leave that to the other Pandas - they are the ones who need to comment on 10-0 thrashings, car eating, organised dance routines & more leading upto the weekend. It was weird Panthers not being there, & then in the semi finals seeing both teams we wanted to make the final getting knocked out (the Panthers curse).

Thankfully the curse failed to show up on Sunday & the final went in our favour, the Vipers beat the Squealers 2-1, & sent the mardy "Hordes of Mordor" back up the M1 pronto.

Here are some random photo's I took...

Vipers vs. Giants (2nd semi final) Saturday

same game - hole in the ice being fixed

England & Scotland u-19's being friendly (Sunday)

he may have let in 4 - but we still want him to sign for Panthers
Scotland u-19's Super Human Goaltender

Ted, Sammo, & Dave find Andy makes quite a comfortable cushion
(Pandas have no sponsorship deal with Subway -honest!)

Vipers vs Steelers Final + random bloke waving his fist

Losers: Sheffield Steelers aka Shedfield Squealers

Winners: Newcastle Vipers aka Viper Grove

#78 Spen

ALLWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE!!!! D-DU D-DU-D-DU-D-DU!!!!!!!

Monty Python couldn't have put it any better. That just about sum's up last weekend. What Can I say about saturday.... We'll to lose 7-0 against the arch enemy the Steelers. Yup 7-0!! Despite the scoreline and watching Panthers playing so so poorly I actually had a really good night!! After coaching the Thrumpton Kwik Cricket kids in the morning I had a nice relaxing afternoon playing on the new Godfather game for the PS2. Then we set off to the Arena, Wykesie, Sammo Mum and Myself (Sammo) as we were parking Wykesie informed me that he'd got a ticket for playoff game 3 and not the ticket for playoff game 2!! So I had to go all the way home and pick up his ticket!!

So we arrive back at the Arena andnow it's started to pour it down with rain, great just what we need!! Anyway Mum gets into the arena and her hair is wet through!! She looked like a drowned rat!! Aaaaah!! I hear you say!! So inside we went to watch, what we hoped, a really great performance by the Panthers. Unfortunatly we were all very disapointed Steelers played well and we were poor so in all fairness we just ended up laughing rather that crying at the 7-0 scoreline. (one goal!! we only wanted one goal!!) Comedy moment goes to the horseman (truely a legend!!) stripping off in the middle of the second period during a break in play! It had the crowd in complete laughter!!

The other great moment was during the game. Panthers pull Curtis "What amI doing" Cruickshank and bring on Geoff "Our House" Woolhouse. Wooly face 1 shot saves it and then a fight breaks out downthe other end of the ice near the Steelers net. Steelers netminder looks like he's getting involved so wooly skates down the full length of the ice and by the time he gets there the fights finish and wooly then gets kicked out the game for crossing the halfway line!! Class!! ONE SAVE ONE FIGHT!! ONE SAVE ONE FIGHT!!

Still afer all the madness of the hockey was over we retired to T&D where on birthday boy Andy's arrival we got the entire bar singing Happy Birthday to him before Warren, Ted, Keefe and myself proceded to give him the Bumps!! Then Andy's mum cut up the Panda birthday cake and made sure everyone got a piece.

Our Captain Warren with Birthday Boy Andy and the Panda Cake!!

Then after a goods night sleep it was on to the madness in Sheffield in our return trip against the Steelers, just hoping for an improved performance. Well in all fairness we got it!! Much improved and came away with a respectable 1-1 result. Thanks to a blunder from Jody "Tango Man" Lehman and a determind finish from Super!! Super Matt!! Super!! Super Matt!! Super!! Super Matt!! Super Matty Myers!! (That's a song just for you Cat!!) Now we just have to hope and pray that Newcastle can beat the Steelers and that we can pick up two wins against the Bison.

On the way to the game Spen and myself were teasing Rhindsie with the thought of the Baywatch theme tune from the latest CD that spen created for me!! For some reason this is now craigs favourite song and can be seen doing an impression of the opening title accross a hockey rink car park near you soon!!

Another great comedy moment was during the 1st period break when Duffy appeared and said the game was pants!! Had he just watch the same period as us!! I DON'T THINK SO!! We played very well in the 1st!! Our powerplay actually played with POWER!! (Sorry for steeling your phrase Shaggy!!) and our penalty kill was working well (Killing like a sniper) So we just couldn't believe the words that had just come out of his mouth!! Although he does seem to have found himself some followers of the DUFFY CLAN although there is another name we game them but if you want to know that you'll have to ask either Cat or myself!!

Anyway I guess I've rambled on enough so see you all soon folks!! Most of you in Basingstoke I suspect!!

BAMBOOOOOO!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOO!!!

Sammo #86

Ok I've updated the links section(over there>>>) & have added Runnin' With The Dogs - you love our site, well we love yours - it's a kind of worldwide Ice Hockey love-in!!.

The Dogs in question are the UMD (University of Minnesota Duluth) Bulldogs & they are heading towards something called the Final Five, which I guess is some sort of play-offs (correct me if I'm wrong!), check out the link for some witty Hockey commentary & give a "Let's Go Bulldog's" shout in their direction!!.

#78 Spen

Squealers Away 04.03.06 - Random Photo's

#78 Spen

you might want to whisper it - but I'm going to see Panthers @ Sheffield tomorrow - about bloody time I hear Capt. scream! - can I point out there is no truth in the rumour i've been to more away games than home this season! - though tomorrow makes it a bit too close for comfort!

#78 Spen

It's A Trip Up The Road Tonight!!!

Tonight for a few of the Panda masive it's a trip up the road to watch Steelers take on the Vipers. Should be an interesting game, not really sure who to cheers for, still as long as it's a good game that's all that matters. One of us I'm sure will fill you all in with a full report! Hopefully we get to see Smergen-Bergen play.

Also tonight the Panda's will be helping to film an advert for Powerplay. Not sure of all the details yet but I'll get back to to you later on what it actually is!

So on Wednesday night Panther's took on the Caps. Good 4-2 win, Cookey 2+1 (Cookey's Sebby's Love Child) Solid performance, It was also nice to have everyone sat in the Block around us!! Shaggy from the Library, Cat and Ted and also Andy (minus a Dead Cat (sorry mate)) Considering there was no oposing fans to contest with we kept the noise levels quite well!! (Midweek games are always difficult)

Coming Soon............

Hopefully an announcement on the Friday night of Playoff Weekend!! Including the main Drinking Venue. (Fans from ALL teams are invited to this big social gathering!!)

Keep it loud people!!

Sammo #86

Nooooooo!!!! They've got rid of the wrong man!!

Well then folks we woke up in Pandaland this morning with the news that Panther's have cut Stefan Sjogren from the roster!! Big mistake I reckon:

1)Why get rid of a good D-man
2) We all know it should have been Stutter
3) Bowen on D Pleeeeeeaaasse (Give me a break!!)

But what the heck we'll just have to wait and see how it goes. But please please please Stefan don't sign for the Squeelers!! Go to the Cap's, we don't mind that!

Anyway on to other news (Happy News!!)

Firstly It's official the Panda's are now Cult Icons!! We are now recognised from Auckland to Zaire!!

Not only did everyone love our singing efforts so much last Saturday that we had 3 (YES THREE) threads on the Cage forum with us all in but we also got a huge mention by Mick Holland in the Nottingham Evening Post. We were described as "The Panda nutters of Block 11!" We truely do now rule the world!!

Anyhow seeing as we are now so famous we thought we'd branch out and are now arranging a trip to watch the Nottingham Lions take on Blackburn in Blackburn!! The game is on Sunday the 12th of Feb. This is an official Panda Team outing!! So if your interested in coming please speak to either myself or Shaggy!! T-shirt may also be available for the trip!!

Anyway stay tuned for more updates!!

Wooooooo!!

Sammo #86

If your proud to be a panther clap your hands!!

MOOSE!!!!!

Just a few pics from tonight!! Hopefully Warren can upload the others very soon!!

First up the Boy's Keefe, Warren and Duffy

Now Danny Scott does the MOOSE!!!

Bamboo!!

Sammo #86

Gutted!! What more can you say!!

Well last night we dominated the Squeelers and lost with 2.9 seconds left in the 3rd!! Not really got much more to say on the matter. I thinks the following picture says it all, although I have to say thanks to Keefe for the Songs and entertainment on Sat!!

WOOOOOO!!!

Sammo #86

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!

Yes a happy new year to all Panda's and Panda followers!

So yesterday we witness the Panther's going down to a 2-0 defeat by the Vipers. I have to say fair play to newcastle. They probably deserved to win in all honesty. Before the game we knew it was going to be a battle of the 2 best goalies in the elite league and I have to say it but Koenig is the best!! The way he can play the puck is awesome. So to sum it up, Panthers were crap up front and newcastle were good in defense. The major problem for me at present is the forwards are just not shooting the puck!! Someone has to go and the sooner the better!! We miss tessier and really need a sharpshooter to help Big Joe C. But anyway we'll see what happens tomorrow the the (aparrently IN FORM?) Bison are in town.

Anyway on to what the Panda's do best!!! RANDOMNESS!!!!

Here's the lastest pics!!

First of all the latest Panda Merchandise
available from Cat at all home games.
A real bargain at £1 per badge!!

Here is the latest picture of Baby Keelan -
Following in his fathers footsteps!! Thanks to Windy #00
for the picture.

Lets go sabres!! Nice to see my NHL team are performing well
this season. So time for a random picture!!

Well here's a pic taken at my bus stop on my way to work last
week. It was a lovely winter wonderland!!!!

And finally here's a picture of the Panda's very own mascot #21 Duffy!!
I found this picture on the wall in his house so the photo had
to be taken......What a lovely looking lad!!!!!!!!

Wooooooooo!!!!!

Sammo #86