Double-Header against Solihull - Most important games of Metros' Season!
The weekend of 8th and 9th of May are most important dates of the Metros' season just passed. And even more significant for their season to come as these are the dates for the Division One promotion/relegation match-up against the Solihull Barons.
Kingston Jets were always in the automatic relegation place in Division One whereas the promotion/relegation match second-to-bottom spot was in doubt right up to the end of the season with Blackburn running into form and a couple of one goal losses for the Metros confirming them as Division Ones representatives in these play-off games.
From Division Two, the Newcastle Vipers were league champions and will take Kingston's spot next season. Second place was in doubt up to the end however, eventually Solihull edged out the Flintshire Freeze, on results between the teams, for the right to play-off against the Metros.
The Division One season, on EIHA instruction, ended on the 21st March with the Division Two schedule, and, therefore, the Barons, still playing games into mid-April. Consequently, there has been a Season End and Finished feel for several weeks. The boys have got to ramp back up to full competition mode to play these vital games seven weeks after the regular season ended. Imagine playing the Stanley Cup Final nearly two months after your last game? It's (for us) as bad as that!
Despite finishing twelve points clear of the Barons, two seasons ago, The Metros cannot be complacent about their chances as they lost eight of the regular squad last closed season and have had to rebuild the team for the campaign just finished. No doubt Solihull have had the same problems, but they have only lost four games all season. To run Newcastle as closely as they did shows that they are well above the Division Two standard and are serious candidates for a place in the top division next season.
Make a note for your diaries:
Come what may in these games, The Metros have their final game on 15th May (face-off 5.15pm in the Dome) in the annual charity bash against the Bradford Bulldogs. This game is for the Paul Fox Memorial trophy: Paul was Aran Fox (of Phoenix goalminder fame) father. All proceeds will go to the British Heart Foundation.
