Features

Its squeaky bum time, as they say...

Thursday, 27th March 2008

Another look at the 2007/08 Elite ice hockey league (EIHL) season and how the playoffs are shaping up all from a fans point of view exclusively here at www.manchesterphoenix.co.uk

Business end of the season, Step up Hockey, Ruthless commitment, Squeaky bum time! Numerous names I have heard for the EIHL playoffs but all the buzzwords mean nothing when everything can be defined in ones…

One Weekend.
One Venue.
One Final.
One Champion.

Well here is a brief run down of the teams gunning for that glittering trophy and the bruising battles of playoff hockey leading to Nottingham.

That’s two trophies in the bag already for the Blaze this season and hats off to them for their hockey style and consistency. Playoff hockey is somewhat an art, an art in which the Blaze can perform if they focus. Having won the Challenge cup twice and League Leaders trophy three times Coventry would love to win the playoffs a feat they have only achieved just once. But don’t think that I’ve etched the Blaze name on the trophy just yet, Edinburgh play with no fear against Coventry and this season turned them over three times, twice in Coventry making the 1st v 8th playoff game not as straight forward as it seems…

Sheffield Vs Manchester

Two pre season friendly’s between the Steelers and Phoenix were perceived as the war of the roses and two thrilling and entertaining games they were, how very fitting that the last two games in each barn will be a re-enactment of the war. Despite the five places separating these two teams in the league this is as even as a playoff game gets. Each game this season has been a close and thrilling encounter and whilst the league standings paint a Steelers victory, a 4-0 hammering back in January by the Phoenix in Sheffield will linger on Matsos’ mind. Can Manchester stop Sheffield from reaching Nottingham for a second season running?

Nottingham Vs Cardiff

Very questionable moustaches and lots of champagne were the toast of the town in Nottingham last time around. The Panthers were backstopped by a superb netminding performance for the entire 06/07 playoffs, and in a re-enactment of last seasons final Askey and his defence need to pull one out of the bag if they are to progress against a rough and ready Devils side. One of the finalists from last season won’t be joining the party this time and the team from South Wales will be trying to make up for what turned into disastrous injury plagued middle season after a promising start.

Belfast Vs Newcastle

Talk about an even match up! These two teams have been yo-yoing up and down the league table all season. Both have occupied the top spot for a short period and both have looked like a team to challenge Coventry all the way. Its three wins a piece in clashes this season and a convincing win for either side is highly unlikely. The Vipers strung a breathtaking run of playoff performances to take the crown in 05/06 and a similar performance will herald success as regular season performances against the likes of Nottingham haven’t been convincing. Can Belfast turn over what was an abysmal season start and bring triumph back to the Odyssey?

Ok well that’s the games briefly summed up so enjoy round one of the 2008 BMI Baby Elite Ice Hockey League playoffs and lets hope that the Phoenix make the weekend for the second time in history.

Ben Haddock

PS: Reward your curiosity, watch some PLAYOFF HOCKEY!