Slovakian internationals Marek Nahlik and Michal Oravec have been making a big impact in what has been a difficult season so far for the London ice hockey team, writes Don McDermott.
The Raiders (6-1-8) currently sit in sixth place in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) Division 1 South, 12 points behind league leaders and defending champions Chelmsford Chieftains.
Though Nahlik has been a superstar, leading the team with 14 goals plus nine assists from 16 games. The forward has spent much of his 13-year professional career in his homeland, playing 11 seasons in Slovakia’s second division.
However, the 31-year-old arrived at the Raider’s with some experience of British ice hockey, having played for rivals Invicta Dynamos during the 2013-14 season. His 38 points from 22 matches turned heads throughout the national league as Invicta marched to the playoffs.
The Raiders’ own playoff ambitions hang in the balance this season after a continued struggle to pick up consecutive results. However, the form of Nahlik and countryman Oravec is keeping the hopes of the east London side alive.
Strict international rules
Oravec first played in England in 2006 for Solihull Barons. Since 2012 the 34-year-old veteran has played for both Invicta and Streatham Redskins, notching 127 points in 99 matches. For the Raiders this season, he has picked up 16 points in 15 games.
It is not uncommon for international players to be the strongest players on British ice hockey teams. The talent pool in the UK is much smaller than in countries such as Russia, Canada and Slovakia, where ice hockey has always been a popular sport.
As a result, British ice hockey has laid down strict rules on how many international players each team is allowed to have on their roster. The NIHL Division 1 allows just two non-British players per team.
Raiders Head Coach Alan Blyth will be hoping the form of his two Slovakian forwards can spark an improved all-round performance from his team when they host Oxford City Stars on the 28th November. They will travel to the Lea Valley Ice Centre on the back of a home defeat.