1-3-1. No its not a new scoring system, a team’s record, or the start of a bad joke. It is in fact the Tampa Bay Lightning’s formation. Hockey has been entirely dominated by 2-3 for, well forever.
I would like to start with a nod in the direction of the Edmonton Oilers. I wrote previously in this blog about the New York Islanders illustrious history and subsequent decline, well the Oilers have taken this further, much further.
Although they haven’t entirely sorted out the geography yet, this winter will see the return of the NHL to Winnipeg after a 15-year absence.
Next up the North East Division and we’ll be looking at the Buffalo Sabres. An NHL team since 1970 they’ve been to the Stanley Cup finals three times but never returned with the Cup.
While it might still be a long way off, the opening of the football season, and the formality of the cricket has brought my attention back to that most noble of winter time pursuits, staying up late into the night watching NHL on the tele.
» Stanley Cup Review
» Sir Stanley's Preview
» Round 1, and there was Game 7s aplenty
» Close season across the pond
» The Buffalo Sabres
Adam Walker
- We're battling hard
- We're ready for the semis
- Great start in Glasgow
- I can't wait to get started
- The summer has gone quick
Alex Birch
Andy Pierce
- Lightning need a spark
- Szucks to be me, Roman
- Lightning face the music against pumped-up Flames
- Blaz has MK buzzing
- Emersic has Lightning on cloud nine
Chris Gent
Christopher Beal
Craig Simpson
- NIHL and the media
- The Billingham 'evolution'
- Here come the girls!
- A day in the People's Republic of Sheffield
- It's hockey, Jim, but not as we know it
Dave Simms
- Good luck to The Sheriff
- The old arguement of spending
- Telling who is who?
- Something about Dundee I like
- It's not Nottingham's fault
Elliott Stanley
- What a difference since November
- Being away from the carnage
- Cardiff are the real deal
- Three wins in three for Panthers
- Lots to talk about in Pantherland
Emma Boultby
- Panthers left to lick their wounds
- Green leads Panthers revenge
- Sheffield smarting, Panthers revenge?
- Two thrilling Panthers games for Clan
Gareth Chalmers
- The failure of Newcastle
- Ijshockey in Nederland
- What next for North East hockey?
- Trip to see Italian A2 hockey
- Now the busy period is over
James Broughton
- So what next for the Steelers?
- The Evolution Of Chad Huttel
- Where are they now: Evan Cheverie
- Where are they now: Peter Campbell
- Bah! humbug!
James Gordon
James Reeve
- No blog posts in this category
Katy Madgwick
- I am serious sports journalist, hear me roar
- It's that Ole Devil called Voth again
- Sat on by Giants... but still in the hunt
- The Vipers week that was
- A week of up and downs
Lawrie Hill
- Wirll-winds hit Dundee
- Bowen arrows into Dundee
- Young Star becomes a Phantom
- Better the Devil... you get to know!
- Little but Large for Giants
Lee Sims
Luke Catterson
Mark Duell
- Hitting the road
- Has Corey unlocked the magic formula?
- First month's report
- Clan's gain could be Corey's biggest mistake
- Is it the Muppet Show?
Mat Young
Michael Black
- NIHL Round-up: Week twenty six
- NIHL Round-up: Week twenty five
- NIHL Round-up: Week twenty four
- NIHL Round-up: Week twenty three
- NIHL Round-up: Week twenty one
Patrick Smyth
- Lets get Physical, Physical!
- Every day's a school day
- The long wait is almost over
- Know Your (So-called) Enemy
- Bradley Voth is coming to town - Part 1
Promotion
Russ Morrell
- It's tough at the top
- The two sides of hockey
- Another season over
- When is enough really enough?
- New year, new start?
Seanna Murdock
- A round-up from Door 19
- Fighting will always be
- Watching from over the pond
- Eventful Giants weekend
- Interview with Jon Pelle
Stephen Dowson
- Defending the mice
- Big Day, Big Moves, Big Worries
- No shock at Simon leaving
- We'll meet again
- House of Dows
Stewart Roberts
- 20 years, was BIH better of worse?
- Replace the EIHL's messy start with an Autumn Cup
- Full of contradictions
- Historic weekend but where were GB?
- Omigod, I agree with Dave Simms!
Tom Forster
Vicki Smart
- Phoenix rise for the new season
- An evening of introductions
- Seeing the game in a different way
- Happy Shirt Launch, Phoenix fans!
William Lyon
