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It's the final countdown
And so it comes to be, the final weekend of another Elite league season. This means one thing, the end of season play-offs in the National Ice Centre, Nottingham and four teams are in the running following the conclusion of the quarter finals last weekend just gone. For Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers, it’s an extra chance to add a bit more silverware to the cabinet but quite the opposite for the Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devils as they don’t to see such a positive season end without anything at all. Ironically these are the four teams who finished the regular season in 1-2-3-4 order, spooky that, so few can maybe argue that they don’t deserve to be there.
Let’s now look at each team’s chances, and again in reverse order of league position.
Nottingham Panthers
First up, Nottingham Panthers. To say he has coached a side to the Challenge Cup, Corey Neilson (the newest GB international) is not one for resting on his laurels and saying that is enough – he wants more. Panthers have been changed for the better since the arrival of Rick Strachan on the bench duties and go into their semi with the Steelers full of confidence, although Davey Graham wasn’t a bad coach too. It seems like Strachan is pulling the strings and Corey’s alleged massive ego problem has been calmed down to an extent where the giant defenceman can just concentrate on playing whilst Strachs sorts it from the side. The side has so much potential, and can score from anywhere in the team.
Key Man: David Clarke – The GB internationalist is having a great season, and is back to his best which can spell trouble for others.
Belfast Giants
Next, Belfast Giants. To miss out on the League by a single point, and then the Cup on aggregate by one goal is massive bad luck so Doug Christansen and his men will be hoping it is not third time unlucky when it comes to the play-off finals. Unlike the other contenders, Giants don’t have a proven scorer who always finds the net – they just rely on good old fashioned teamwork ethics and that’s all down to Doug. The defence is strong and in attack they have the ability to move the puck at lightining speed to create opportunity after opportunity. A team that should not be underestimated at all.
Key Man: Stephen Murphy – Best British netminder in the country by a long chalk. If Murphy is on his game; the Giants always have a chance of winning.
Cardiff Devils
Cardiff Devils. What a season they have had under Gerad Adams! At one stage of the season, they looked like they would be romping away with the League as everyone was just getting steamrolled by the big red machine from South Wales. Then a slight blip and it the end just the fact that the Steelers had one more regulation win meant the Championship drought from 1996 was extended. Brad Voth is probably wanting to go out on a bang as it is, as rumoured, his last season in Britain and Craig Weller has been an excellent signing for a side that always seems to fall short when they shouldn’t do. Their clash with the Giants should be a real treat.
Key Man: Jon Pelle – Proven goalscorer who always seems to be around to pick up the pieces in front of goal, teams must keep a very close eye on him.
Sheffield Steelers
Finally, Sheffield Steelers. After winning the league, Steelers were given what people thought was an easy quarter final against Dundee and when they went 7-1 ahead overall thanks to a Robert Dowd goal in Tayside, many would have wondered how many more they’d score. But the Stars got the Elite Champions rocking and it took an empty netter to secure the Steelers final four spot. Yet, Steelers are a side this season that are not recognisable from the team that so underperformed last season and Ben Simon has proved to be a great player-coach. If they’re focused on winning, they will really be hard to stop and a double looks possibility.
Key Man: Ashley Tait – Probably the best British forward of his generation. The veteran winger knows no bounds when it comes to winning and is often underestimated by others.
So that concludes my play-off finals preview, and who’s my money on? Hand on heart, I’m going for the Steelers but it’s going to take an overtime winner over a plucky Belfast to secure that second bit of silverware for Ben Simon’s men. Then again, it really is too hard to call. Two classic semi-finals on paper, let’s hope they live up to the billing given. Oh and finally, congratulations to Manchester Phoenix on winning the EPL title!
Follow me also on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hockeybhoy
Mark
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| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
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- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
