Gala Night 08
03 June 2008
The Aberdeen Oilers gathered on the beach to celebrate a successful first ever season for the team and club. Only the best spot on the beach would do to host such a celebration and soon BBQs were lit and stomachs filled with delicacies. Captain Osku Rantala stepped forward to say a few words of congratulations and thanks to all the members for their contributions to the clubs first year success and announced the presentation of the first Oilers club awards. Club members had voted and trophies were presented to the winners: Billy Brown (Rookie of the Year), Linda Glass (Most Improved Player), Osku Rantala (Most Valuable Player), Lorna Teal (Team Player) and Neil Shaw (P!OTS). The committee awarded the infamous “IBK award” to John Taylor for outstanding team spirit contributions of the most varied nature, ranging from his musical talent to rink board domino demonstrations, with the key event being the discovery of the crusher tactic (RIP the park bench). Osku Rantala went on to present the captains award to Sascha Fässler and Lorna Teal for their part in getting the club off the ground and letting floorball take over their lives (and the spare room). Once everyone had been suitably thanked and made special, celebrations ran their course and as the evening continued, the Oilers once again demonstrated what they do best…
Oilers at British Championships
03 June 2008
Day 1
The Aberdeen Oilers took to the skies on May bank holiday weekend on their way to the British Floorball Championships 2008 in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The atmosphere was tense as Aberdeen set up to face off against the mighty London Vikings. After conceding an early goal the Oilers managed an equaliser. The first half however ended 7-2 to the Vikings and on realising their opponents were barely breaking sweat the Oilers threw a few more attempts in a goal ward direction, putting a total of 6 into the Vikings net. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, the game ended 13-6 to the Vikings, a truly formidable opponent.
The Bournemouth Bullets were next up and the Oilers managed to take the lead. More in control of this game than the first the Oilers showed their team spirit once again and started pulling ahead towards the end of the game. Billy Brown, in his first ever floorball tournament, put one into the net in the final minutes sealing the game 5-2 to the Oilers.
Day 2
The Oilers headed off with positive minds to fight for their place in the semi-finals against Brighton Rock. The game couldn’t have been closer. At a score line of 2-1 to Brighton Rock, the Oilers regrouped to try and find the equaliser and with only about 8 minutes to go it came… the score was 2-2…. Or was it? The goal was overruled; the score back to 2-1, and even the awarded penalty shot did not help in the quest for the semi finals place. In the dying minutes of the game the rush for the goal returned the opposite, and the Oilers eventually lost 5-1, with maybe the lack of experience of playing against more faster paced skilful teams showing. Nevertheless, the games were enjoyed, a lot was learned and new inspirations for training were found.
Aberdeen win silver in Scottish League Cup
09 May 2008
The Oilers faced off against 06/07 league champions Glenrothes Grrrowl in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup. A tough start for Aberdeen early in the morning, but spirits were high and the Oilers put on the pressure from the first whistle. The game was a physical game with lots of goals and closely fought. Aberdeen managed to make the most of a late lead and the game ended 9-6, a great result putting Aberdeen in the semi-finals against Balwearie Thunder. Games between Thunder and Aberdeen are always well enjoyed and this was no different providing another very close game where Aberdeen scraped a 3-2 win to put them in the final of the league cup. The opposition was Chapel, league champions who had defeated both Balwearie Ligtning and Dundee Northern Lights for their place in the final. Chapel were unbeaten so far this season and the red army was determined to try their best to change this. The game started well with Aberdeen earning an early lead but Chapel caught up and the game stood at 3-2 to Chapel for a long time with the Oilers looking hard for an equaliser. The third closely fought game of the day for Aberdeen who had, without doubt, had a tough draw.
Oilers Captain Tops League Stats Table
10 April 2008
Aberdeen Oilers Captain, Osku Rantala, AKA “the Tractor” tops the Northern leagues Stats Table for the season 07/08. With 21 goals and 15 assists Osku has done a fine job for his team this season and will surely be looking to improve on his position of Scotland's premier points scorer when the Oilers travel south for the Scottish Cup later this month and the British Championships early next month
Kongsberg Maritime Ltd to sponsor Oilers
01 April 2008
The Aberdeen Oilers have recently secured sponsorship from Kongsberg Maritime Ltd (Camera Division) to support their quest in the British Floorball Nationals. The Oilers would like to express their gratitude for the generous support of the company and hope to prove their worth when they travel to Stratford-upon-Avon on May bank holiday weekend to compete amongst the 8 top teams of the UK. Kongsberg Maritime Ltd is the world's leading manufacturer of specialist television and telemetry equipment for harsh environments, and can trace its history back to the birth of the UK North Sea oil industry, in 1975. A recognised global innovator, the company designs and engineers quality camera systems covering the spectrum of available technologies, for a diverse range of markets (www.kongsbergmaritime.com). Aberdeen is home to the UK Headquarters, which provides sales, rental and service & operations support for the entire range of Kongsberg Maritime products and systems.
