The British Hockey Thread 2016-17

[Calv]

Often the stuff I read in this thread reminds me of the WHA from the 1970s - never a dull moment!

Maybe you should move to Britain and re-live that era of ice hockey.

We also still have enforcers too! (Brian McGrattan, Patrick Bordeleau, Jay Rosehill)
The biggest problem is the lack of governance at the moment, hopefully this will change soon.

[marksbros6]

I do wonder what the point was of the other 9 EPL teams entering the league this season? Should have just left the league trophy on Wayne Scholes' doorstep and been done with it!

It's hilarious I suppose that he's regularly sinking 6-figure sums into buying the second-tier title of the 4-th (?) tier sport in this country (after football, rugby, cricket..?)

[Calv]

Next season you can get used to the Steelers winning the league every season

[marksbros6]

Well that's just it! Last chance to win something in my lifetime...and the OTHER orange team has bought it 'on credit'

[MWE]

Next season you can get used to the Steelers winning the league every season

Haha probably won't win it this season

[Calv]

Next season you can get used to the Steelers winning the league every season

Haha probably won't win it this season

Looks too tight to call at the minute, I thought the Devils were going to run away with it at one point but it could go to Cardiff, Sheffield, or Belfast right now

[MWE]

We are loseing 5-1 to Belfast now haha

[Calv]

We are loseing 5-1 to Belfast now haha

Looks like I jinxed you!

[matbur]

Don't post a lot here, big EHM, Devils fan.

Didn't expect to see such one sided wins for Cardiff and Belfast!

[Calv]

Don't post a lot here, big EHM, Devils fan.

Didn't expect to see such one sided wins for Cardiff and Belfast!

Nottingham are incredibly inconsistent, turned it on in the Continental Cup but have struggled in the league. Saying that, they just won 8-3 this evening!

[Calv]

Looks like it's over for the Phoenix https://t.co/RO6mj7f0n5

[archibalduk]

Sad to see. But equally it has been a massive shambles for quite some time. It couldn't really go on like that.

[Calv]

Boothroyd moves to Hull, a much needed addition to the blueline as they've been giving up a huge number of shots recently.

Playoff tickets sorted Looks as though Nottingham have already sold out all of their allocation (just under 1900 tickets) , so now some of their fans will end up in other teams' blocks. I wonder if there's a better way of sorting this, I think this stems from the fact that Panthers tickets go on sale to season ticket holders first, which then means that when the tickets go on general sale, Panthers fans have a smaller selection and therefore buy their tickets early. Other teams fans maybe aren't so quick to buy tickets because their tickets go on sale at the same time. Perhaps a fairer way is to put the other teams' tickets on sale first, and then sell the Panthers' tickets after Although I guess there is nothing to stop Panthers fan buying early in that case either.. Maybe they should go back to selling them through the clubs.

[marksbros6]

I'll be at the Coventry playoffs this season (first and last chance I'll have to go).

Don't imagine MKL will see the Finals weekend next year, but might make the trip anyway)

[Calv]

Player skates off way too son during the national anthem, gets a 10 minute misconduct penalty before the game has even started. Bizarre! https://youtu.be/QgtKBlxn8Us?t=17s

[marksbros6]

Too right!

Should give 2 min minors to all those players who don't clear the ice after warm-up too!

#zerotolerance

[A9L3E]

Hmmm... while I do not think that national anthems should be performed in sports events other than national team competitions, when the national anthem is mandated by the competition, leaving the blue line early can be considered very impolite indeed.

[Calv]

The swedish invasion continues

Zajkowski did wear some pretty cool set-ups under his time in Modo

He never really took the final step to become a trusted SHL keeper though, especially the part where he could cramp up during any game because of not drinking enough beforehand

This has also happened this season, in one game he went off just before penalty shots because of cramp and the backup had to come in cold straight into the penalty shootout! He's been very hot and cold this season (like the entire Braehead team), I saw him recently and he let in 5 goals off 26 shots and was replaced by his backup. He seems quite weak on his glove side.

Of the other Swedes in the league:
Daniel Ahsberg has been very poor.
Robin Bergman is finally finding form (and the net).
Mikael Lidhammar is also finding form after he started the season late due to medical issues (he previously had cancer, I believe).
Erik Lindhagen seems to be one of Nottingham's most consistent performers.
Christoffere Bjorklund has been taking flak from the fans for his weakness at the back.
Yared Hagos was a late addition to the Sheffield squad, doesn't offer too much going forward, but solid in his own end.
Markus Nilsson is another fans favourite because of his work rate and skating.
Andreas Valdix, another solid player but he's missed some time due to injury.

[MWE]

You forgot Anders Franzon who also plays for the Steelers he's not very good either

I like Hagos doesn't offer a lot scoring wise but he has a bit about him doesn't get bullied as much as some on the team.

[Calv]

Nice little artice in the hockey news: http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/artic ... chise-eihl

Also, looks like KHL London are looking for potential sponsors: https://twitter.com/davidcarnell/status ... 1349541889

[Calv]

260 Penalty minutes in Belfast against Cardiff this evening, after this incident: https://twitter.com/tigertemme/status/8 ... 1218724865

I went to Sheffield this evening to watch Sheffield - Manchester, pretty poor performance from the Storm who lost 3-1. They only looked like scoring on a 6 on 4 at the end of game with the netminder pulled. Dundee are closing in behind them now, fortunately Blaze still seem to be terrible so we might make the playoffs!

[Calv]

260 Penalty minutes in Belfast against Cardiff this evening, after this incident: https://twitter.com/tigertemme/status/8 ... 1218724865

Gamesheet has been updated and it's up to 380 PIMS! http://eihl-stats.stats.pointstreak.com ... id=2920784

[archibalduk]

At my first game in four months right now. Watching the Flames most likely struggle against the Lightning!

[marksbros6]

Darn Arch. Was in Basingstoke and was toying with popping across for that one.

[archibalduk]

It wasn't the best game. MK were mediocre and the Flames fairly poor. Some unusual line choices and tactics. Putting Lane on the first line at times was a strange one. As was calling a timeout with only 12 seconds left and then pulling the goalie. It was far too late by then. We managed to miss two penalty shots as well.

Now my flight home is indefinitely delayed due to fog at home. Not the best of weekends!