Ice-hockey: Streatham suffer major blow as Antonov set to bid farewell
BY DAVID CARR
Streatham fans were left with mixed emotions this week after it was revealed top scorer Vanya Antonov would leave the club at the end of the month – with the South Londoners posting another big win that extended their lead at the top of the league.
Player-coach Adam Carr was adamant that the decision of Antonov, 22, to relocate overseas could be offset by the existing depth in his squad, and his team showed their firepower in a 12-0 demolition of Cardiff Fire on Sunday night.
Danny Ingoldsby hit a hat trick for the RedHawks in front of a packed Streatham Arena, that lapped up every goal from the league leaders.
“I said it when we signed him, but we were very lucky to sign Vanny in the summer and naturally everyone is disappointed that we wont see him on the ice in the business end of the season” admitted Carr. “Hockey is a short career though and Vanny is a smart kid with an exciting opportunity he can’t turn down outside of the game.
“Any team would miss someone of his talent on the roster, but we’ve got a strong squad this year and I have faith in the team that we will continue strongly.”
Antonov’s final game will be in Chelmsford this Sunday where the RedHawks take on the third placed Chieftains in what is almost a four-pointer, even at this stage in the season.
“Obviously it is very hard to leave the team at such a time” said Antonov, who has scored 22 goals so far this season.
“But the team has lots of talent and the atmosphere in the room is electric, there is definitely a special feel in the air.
“The team has bonded really well over the course of this year and I have no doubt that we will win some silverware in the coming months.”
The transfer deadline is at the end of the month, after which Streatham can make no further additions to their squad. Player Coach Carr has refused to rule out new additions, especially having released Finnish forward Johnathan Wallius earlier in the month.
“We have a couple of possibilities” said Carr. “But if they don’t come in then I still think we have enough in the team to get the trophies we all want to see this year.”
Streatham return to SW16 on the 1st February when Invicta Dynamos come to town.
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