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Post by Claret & Blue Army on Jan 20, 2005 22:27:50 GMT 1
Please post your commiseration messages to the Panthers & Steelers here. Bad luck to both  Still as neutrals you can enjoy an excellent final |
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Post by Rich on Jan 20, 2005 22:38:47 GMT 1
Bad luck guys. Your dominance has been ended and the former Big 2 from the BNL (as well as Dundee) are now the Big 2 in the Elite League where it all matters.
Maybe Mr Simms can once again add his knowledge and wisdom on BBC WM.
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Post by JP on Jan 20, 2005 22:56:58 GMT 1
Badluck to them both  NOW..there's a REAL Challenge Cup Final ;D |
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Post by GazzatheDevil on Jan 23, 2005 12:45:14 GMT 1
Well thankfully Cardiff have staked their claim to be a big club in the Big league again after our abcense from it for a couple of seasons.
Nice to see a club like Coventry can stay stable for a number of years and rise to be a big force in hockey.
Here's to many more years of Blaze and Devils in finals eh?
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Post by Big Dave Steeler on Jan 23, 2005 16:16:49 GMT 1
Form is temporary Class is permenant Lets see eh |
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Post by JP on Jan 24, 2005 4:02:27 GMT 1
Who has class?  Let's hope he doesn't mean the 'Family' eh? |
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Post by Big Dave Steeler on Jan 24, 2005 11:21:47 GMT 1
Who has class? Let's hope he doesn't mean the 'Family' eh? Any teams mentioned |
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on Jan 24, 2005 19:15:57 GMT 1
Blaze and Devils are definately the new big hitters in the UK game along with possibly the Giants.
Internal strife and complancency will get other teams nowhere....and don't we just love it ;D
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Post by Big Dave Steeler on Jan 25, 2005 0:54:42 GMT 1
Blaze and Devils are definately the new big hitters in the UK game along with possibly the Giants. Internal strife and complancency will get other teams nowhere....and don't we just love it ;D I would probabily agree with ya on one team, and unfortunatly it aint the one in burbery!! Devils have for years been one of THE forces within UK hockey, and Belfast have established themselves very nicely amongst the british circuit. As for Cov, cant argue with the success you have got off the rink (By the way sally, fancy a job marketing in Sheffield, ya'd get them all in with that santa outfit, im sure we could get summat sorted for all seasons ) but IMO not YET established. But now doubt, that it wont take long. |
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on Jan 25, 2005 19:06:11 GMT 1
By new big hitters I was referring to the subtle change in the scope of the game from the old ISL.
When the Elite league was in its infancy in the early autumn of 2003 many perceived that it would always be just the old "big two" that would clean up (Which in fact they did last year) and that the rest would be scrabbling for the crumbs.
This year has seen a levelling out of that situation and growth on and off the ice with the 3 I mentioned, sadly for the game this year has not been kind to the Steelers and Panthers off the ice with falling attendances, grumbles about the direction of the game (Some fair points mentioned though) and apparent dissention with either the coach or owner.
While this is happening there the seeds are being sown for dynastys to cultivate (Certainly at Cardiff & Coventry) to maintain the new found interest that has occurred this year or in Cardiffs case a return to where they were in the olden days.
Belfast have a unique situation in being a cross community outlet which will have the focus of the city for all the right reasons.
On the ice each of the above 3 has no reason to complain thus far Giants sit atop the Elite League whilst Blaze & Devils finally drag our BNL rivalry with a top flight pot up for grabs.
Being established is more than just staying in existance for a number of years, it is also mixing it with whom you're not supposed to be even within reach of and getting the reaction that other fans fear our team (And Devils/Giants too) is also a mark of credit that we have arrived.
Last year you could argue we were punching well above our weight- this year we are not out of place with all of our collective achievements so far
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Post by Big Dave Steeler on Jan 26, 2005 0:15:09 GMT 1
Cant argue, that you have well established yourselves as an EIHL team, and you do have a great set up down in Cov.
The problem that really [bleep] me off, is that EVERYONE knows where (with regards to sheffield) the problems are, and the old git who owns us will not do a sodding thing about it!
However, what we are seeing, are teams which have foundations to be safe and secure for years to come, and not have reckless owners at the helm. This can only be good for the sport, as we do not want sorry repeats to happen like in Ayr/Manchester/ (1st time)/Newcastle (1st time) and countless other teams.
At last, IMO things are starting to look good for the future of UK Ice Hockey!!!
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Post by Claret & Blue Army on Jan 26, 2005 18:13:13 GMT 1
My post was a bit long winded but it was the infrastructure that I was referring to. Ours is fine, so will Cardiffs be once the rink situation is sorted out and Belfast have the potental to be the biggest ever.
Agree that Sheffield problem stems from NL (If I can put a name to him), but this is a situation that has dragged on for a while now and with each passing day makes the propensity for bouncebackability even harder.
Nottinghams fans seem to have a massive beef with Paul Adey which results in a similar scenario although one that is easier to change than the Sheffield one.
Just before Christmas the signs were that anyone of 5 teams could win the title which was a good thing but two appear to have pulled away slightly with the 5 point gap at present the biggest there has been for some time.
The competitiveness this year is a good argument for NOT inviting the BNL teams lock stock and barrell into the Elite league as it will dilute this more than people think
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Post by Big Dave Steeler on Jan 27, 2005 1:22:38 GMT 1
The competitiveness this year is a good argument for NOT inviting the BNL teams lock stock and barrell into the Elite league as it will dilute this more than people think Bloody hell A Chaventry fan that i CAN agree with. You are spot on, shame the hockey community live in an 'egg-shell' community, where we have to be bullied into this 'lovey-dovy' society where we have to have everyone, for loving sake Cant argue with the rest of ur statement mind ya!!! |
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