Great Britain: EIHL discussion thread

[Siamese Dream]

They don't want to go back to 10 imports, and one guy even said scrap import limits and go back to the super league system because that worked so well last time

I really don't buy the argument that less imports means the top teams buy all the good Brits and the small teams struggle. Dundee are crap because their only good players are Rhyanen, Wirll, and Bagron. Not because the other teams have better Brits.

They also think because of imports being 11 this has been the best season ever, no, imports were at 11 only a couple of seasons ago. This season has been better because of the conferences.

There's also the typical "I don't care about nationality I just want to see my team win with the best possible product" responses. But what they don't seem to realise is this isn't premier league football and the standard isn't going to get any better if we just continue to just bring in 3rd rate North Americans and don't develop homegrown talent.

 

[AlanHUK]

For the first time in my lifetime Panthers are league champions

 

[Geo73]

Clan have won the Gardiner Conference, despite being woeful all year.

 

[Alpine]

I'm happy for the conference winners
But would someone please explain why if the league champion has already been decided there's playoffs?
With Challenge Cup, Playoff Cup and Conference winners (which worked by the way) isn't the league starting to be like your grade 4 field day where everyone gets participation medals?
Just asking.

 

[Siamese Dream]

I'm happy for the conference winners
But would someone please explain why if the league champion has already been decided there's playoffs?
With Challenge Cup, Playoff Cup and Conference winners (which worked by the way) isn't the league starting to be like your grade 4 field day where everyone gets participation medals?
Just asking.

Because the playoffs are just a home and home, 1 semi final game and 1 final game, so they aren't very meaningful. The teams can't get/cant afford the ice time to have longer playoffs without having a much shorter regular season, and anyway they would run through the World Championships.

Plus it's just British sporting culture, there are no playoffs in EPL football. But EIHL has to have some form of playoffs, because that is hockey culture.

The challenge cup is again another British sports culture thing, because we have the FA and League cup in football, LV = cup in rugby union, challenge cup in rugby league.

 

[Alpine]

Because the playoffs are just a home and home, 1 semi final game and 1 final game, so they aren't very meaningful. The teams can't get/cant afford the ice time to have longer playoffs without having a much shorter regular season, and anyway they would run through the World Championships.

Plus it's just British sporting culture, there are no playoffs in EPL football. But EIHL has to have some form of playoffs, because that is hockey culture.

The challenge cup is again another British sports culture thing, because we have the FA and League cup in football, LV = cup in rugby union, challenge cup in rugby league.

So why isn't there a Coupe de France thing that is open to all 4 Divisions and has a final drawing of 13,000 plus. Wouldn't it work for EIHL, EPIHL, NIHL. SNL?
But I do understand Final 4 weekend as a celebration of the season,

 

[Siamese Dream]

So why isn't there a Coupe de France thing that is open to all 4 Divisions and has a final drawing of 13,000 plus. Wouldn't it work for EIHL, EPIHL, NIHL. SNL?
But I do understand Final 4 weekend as a celebration of the season,

No the gap in standard is too large

If my team played a team like the Chelmsford Chieftains we would probably lose by 15 goals let alone an EPIHL or EIHL team.

To put it into perspective, Gosport Devils got promotion from NIHL South2 to South1 and improved their team for this season, they have won 2 games out of 31 with a goal difference of -147, they have had 10 goals scored against them 10 times.

 

[Siamese Dream]

Nottingham Panthers forward David Ling is named Ice Hockey Journalists UK’s Elite League Player of the Year.

Edinburgh Capitals player-coach Richard Hartmann is named Ice Hockey Journalists UK’s Elite League Coach of the Year.

Best British Netminder: Stephen Murphy (Belfast Giants); Best British Defenceman: Jonathan Weaver (Nottingham Panthers).

Best British Forward: Craig Peacock (Belfast Giants); Best U21 Young Player: James Griffin (Coventry Blaze).

IHJUK Elite League All-Star First Team - Craig Kowalski; Mike Schutte, Eric Werner, David Ling, Bruce Graham, Mac Faulkner.

IHJUK Elite League All-Star Second Team - Nic Riopel, Robby Sandrock, Drew Fata, Sami Ryhanen, Rene Jarolin, Ash Goldie.

 

[Chris 84]

pleased for ash goldie getting some recognition as he's been outstanding this year despite the overall problems that the clan have had.

 

[Siamese Dream]

Playoff matchups:

Nottingham Panthers v Fife Flyers
Belfast Giants v Edinburgh Capitals
Braehead Clan v Cardiff Devils
Sheffield Steelers v Coventry Blaze

 

[Alpine]

Glass breaks in Fife. 68 seconds to be played before game in Nottingham.
I hate 2 game total goal series
Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRL0GwzPoGc

 

[AlanHUK]

Panthers squeaked through against fife, and then didn't look good at all in the 2nd leg of the cup final, they really need to step it up on Saturday.

 

[Siamese Dream]

So it's Nottingham v Cardiff and Belfast v Coventry at finals weekend

 

[clatchie]

Shocked we beat Sheffield, but can't say I'm looking forward to next season any more.

 

[Siamese Dream]

Shocked we beat Sheffield, but can't say I'm looking forward to next season any more.

Why is that?

 

[Siamese Dream]

Nottingham Panthers will play Belfast Giants in the playoff final tomorrow

 

[AlanHUK]

and it's live on sky sports 3

 

[howeaboutthat]

Nottingham Panthers win the play offs and most of the fans of the nine other teams disappear to sulk.

GET IN THERE!! No one likes us, we don't care.

 

[Siamese Dream]

Nottingham Panthers win the play offs and most of the fans of the nine other teams disappear to sulk.

GET IN THERE!! No one likes us, we don't care.

It's hilarious that everyone hates them They're like the Vancouver or Pittsburgh of the EIHL

I'm perfectly neutral when it comes to the EIHL, so congratulations to the Nottingham Panthers

 

[howeaboutthat]

It's hilarious that everyone hates them They're like the Vancouver or Pittsburgh of the EIHL

I'm perfectly neutral when it comes to the EIHL, so congratulations to the Nottingham Panthers

Yeah, it was quite pathetic how much many Steelers, Coventry and Devils fans were falling about the arena in their attempt to show their hatred of Panthers by cheering their little lungs out for the Giants.

As much as Vancouver or Pittsburgh are disliked can you honestly imagine an NHL fan jumping up and down screaming if another team scored against them?

I loved it today, loved the disappointed look on all those sad faces.

 

[AlanHUK]

Nottingham Panthers win the play offs and most of the fans of the nine other teams disappear to sulk.

GET IN THERE!! No one likes us, we don't care.

It was a beautiful day

 

[Siamese Dream]

Brad Leeb announces his retirement on twitter

 

[3 Minute Minor]

Brad Leeb announces his retirement on twitter

**** I feel old. I remember watching him play in the AHL when he was 23ish and he was putting up 30+ goals

 

[Shrimper]

33 is young to retire though isn't it?

 

[howeaboutthat]

33 is young to retire though isn't it?

I think he probably realised he could never top his amazing season at the Blaze and wants to end on a high.