Cesky joins Bison and Fojtik heads north to Tigers

A number of weeks ago a rumour was doing the rounds that the Bison were set to sign Jarolsav Cesky from the Telford Tigers. The questions at the time were who would make way from their import list to accommodate Cesky on the roster; with the presumption that they would not be capable of funding a 5^th import. Well the most likely candidate at the time was Joe Rand. Rand stepped up to the Bison and EPL from the Wightlink Raiders and ENL 1. Questions were asked at the time of his announcement of whether he would fit in and be of good enough quality for the EPL. Well he has shown himself capable having put up 10 points from 12 games; with 4 goals and 6 assists.

Many could not fathom why the Bison would need to sign a player such as Cesky with the amount of firepower and top draw forwards that had joined Coach Sheppard over the summer. With the likes of top Brits Greg Owen, Joe Miller and Joe Greener joining ex-Bison  Greg Chambers, Rand and Sheppard himself on the forward lines the Bison should not be short of scoring ability. However it has not worked out that way after 13 games played.

They have currently only scored 37 goals compared to the 22 conceded (+15 difference), but in stark contrasts to Guildford’s 65 GF, Bracknell’s 50 GF and Manchester’s 47 GF.  The lowest goals against figure is in no small part due to having arguably the best British netminder in the EPL; in the form of Stevie Lyle. So what isn’t going right for the Bison and why aren’t they getting the goals. The only people that know this will be Coach Sheppard and the players themselves; however Sheppard has obviously felt changes are needed to light up the score boards for the Bison.

The shock twist in this saga came earlier this week when Coach Sheppard announced that his import defenceman, the 6ft 5” Czech giant Tomas Fojtik, had been released by the club.

The following day, and much to everyone’s surprise, Cesky had been announced as leaving the Tigers to become a Bison player for the remainder of the 2012-13 season. What was even more shocking was Tiger’s player-coach Tom Watkins announcing that Fojtik would make his way north to join the Shropshire side. So seemingly a straight swap of players between the two clubs. Well not quite!

Cesky joins a team currently in 2^nd place in the league standings from one that is currently in last place; however coming off their first 4 point weekend of the season. Cesky himself the hero of the hour, with his hat-trick giving the Tigers victory over the MK Lightning on Sunday.

Fojtik leaves a team that has seemingly been the best defensively this season. As mentioned above that has a lot to do with the Bison having the best netminder in the league. Lyle has faced 363 shots (second highest of all netminders) however only conceded 19 goals. This gives a goals against average as 1.7 goals a game and a save percentage of 94.77 (correct as of 24.10.12).

So you could say that what the Bison will miss from Fojtik in defence will be levelled out by what Cesky will bring on offense. Well that isn’t always the case. It will take Cesky time to settle into the Bison’s system of play and to find that ability to click with his line-mates; therefore the goals may not come flowing immediately.

So who is to replace Fojtik? It would appear that “Mr Basingstoke” Tony Redmond will switch from offense to defence. Redmond is a two-way player and can play either position confidently and to a high standard; just the type of player you need on your team for situations like this. Chambers may also find time on the defence. He proved in 2011-12 whilst at Guildford that he can play in defensive positions to a high standard; however it would not make sense to take your highest point scorer away from where he would be best utilised.

So it is more likely that it’ll just be Redmond dropping back to join an all British defence; the only team in the EPL to do so.

So what will the Tigers now do without their out and out scorer? It surprised many when Cesky was announced as signing for Telford. Having seemingly left Swindon for Europe he made a u-turn decision to remain in Britain and the EPL. Cesky gave the Tigers that out and out scoring ability that they had lacked in recent seasons and he proved with his hat-trick against the Lightning that he was doing his job perfectly. Although Fojtik will boost the defence at Telford it is now hard to see where the goals at the other end of the ice will come from.

However an interesting observation could come from ex-Tiger Josh Bruce asking to be released from his contract with the Slough Jets.

Bruce left Telford during the off season to join the Jets for 2012-13. In the Jets’ press release it made mention to Bruce remaining (living) up north and travelling south at weekends; which he has found hard and therefore has asked for the release.

So could Bruce be set to re-join the Tigers and give them the required depth on the forward lines they will now lack? Bruce isn’t a high scorer by any means and only managed 41 points from 15 goals and 26 assists last season. This year he currently has 6 points from 11 games; so isn’t going to directly replace Cesky if he does re-join the Tigers but will put points on the board for them none the less.

It is an interesting move by the Bison to sacrifice a little in defence to have a bit more up front on offense. Only time will tell whether it was a correct move by Sheppard to make.