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House of Dows End of the Year Awards

House of Dows End of the Year Awards by Stephen Dowson

Hello everyone and welcome to the House of Dows. I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus whilst my professional life overtook my Hockey life for a brief period but now I’m back just in time to wave the season goodbye, and what better way to do it than with the First Annual House of Dows Hockey Awards 2010. Just rolls off the tongue.

 

Now I know what your thinking, how can I possibly write a blog on the end of the season when we still have games left to be played and the Playoffs still to come? That's because most of these awards have already been won and let’s face it, there are plenty of others who will spend their time speculating this weekend’s possibilities.

 

So without further ado, please dim the lights, and bear in mind that these awards as always come from Sheffield a fan:

 

The 'He's our saviour... No, wait' Award – This is the award given to the player who upon being signed was heralded as the Messiah, only to disappoint quickly.

And the winner is: Kevin Reiter

 

You have to feel sorry for poor Kevin, he could have won this award twice this year. After a miserable season at Basingstoke he was signed by the Steelers to replace Lehman, performed indifferently, then broke himself. Sheffield then went and signed the player they were looking at in the first place in Andrew Verner, whilst Kevin went to join the Vipers to replace the injured Robinson. Same fanfare, same result. He clearly rushed himself back too quickly from his injury and when he was eventually fit again found that neither Newcastle or Sheffield wanted him back.

 

The 'It’s a stupid trophy anyway' Award – Awarded to the player or team that performs the worst in any trophy event.

And the winner is: The Nottingham Panthers and their 20/20 cup exit

 

Now this isn't an excuse to laugh at the Panthers (who needs an

excuse?) but their attitude towards the 20/20 cup bordered on disgraceful. Their fans had taken this seriously, buying a good chunk of their ticket allocation in advance. The team was playing well and were deservedly one of the favourites coming in to the tournament. Granted they were given a tough tie but it was the manner in which they simply gave up against Coventry that really cheesed off their travelling support. All this in the Sheffield Arena as well.

 

The Seriously WTF Award – Awarded to the moment that made you say 'huh'?

And the winner is: The Braehead Clan

 

I mean seriously, where did this come from? In one of the worst financial years in this sports’ history in a league that can’t seem to support the teams it’s already got, suddenly a brand new team emerges and says they are going to compete in EIHL next year. Don't get me wrong, it is brilliant news, but you can’t sit there and say you saw that one coming.

 

The We've Turned the Corner Award – Awarded to the team that has turned so many corners in a season they are right where they started.

And the winner is: The Sheffield Steelers

 

Reiter out, Verner in, 'we've turned the corner.'- Still lose most games.

Win the 20/20 cup with Dan Green in goal, 'Corner turned.' - Still losing games.

Didn't embarrass ourselves in Europe 'Oh the Corner's here, where we left it.' - Came back to be continually beaten.

Semi-finals of Challege Cup 'Is this a corner?' - Get humped by Panthers.

Beat Panthers at home for first time this season three weeks ago 'Season starts here lads' – Sigh.

 

The Best Thing to Happen to the EIHL This Year Award – Awarded to the player, team or idea that really helps the EIHL.

Loads of contenders for this one, the 20/20 cup, the Braehead Clan, Hull being competitive. But for me there is only on winner...

And the winner is: Sean McMorrow

 

I'm gonna say it, I adore Sean McMorrow. He charismatic, funny, great with the fans and a heck of a fighter. He is what this league has been missing... character. He has sold tickets, not just in Belfast, but in every venue he has played in. Jeff Hutchins said to me that you don't need Enforcers to win this league and he's right, but you do need them to sell tickets. Ask Mike Sgroi.

 

The Worst Thing to Happen to the EIHL This Year Award – Awarded to the player, team or idea that really hurts the EIHL.

And the winner is: The All-Star game.

 

The league did almost everything right with the All-Star Game. Brits vs Imports – Good idea. Fans selecting the players on a smart website – good idea. Being smart enough to know that players like McMorrow should also play – great business sense. Forgetting to actually sell tickets, the programmes being late and the event being slightly shambolic – utterly stupid.

 

I don't really blame the league actually, clubs have got to take more ownership in promoting the event and putting on a show. But you don't have it mid-week in Ice Sheffield. Why don't we have an All-star weekend and really celebrate hockey in this country? Lets have the first game the EPL All-Stars game and then finishing with the EIHL All-Stars, on a Saturday, in Coventry. There you are, took me two minutes to fix that.

 

The Missed the Boat Award – Awarded to the player, team or the league when they really miss a good opportunity.

And the winner is: The EIHL, The BBC and the Winter Olympics

It was heralded as the game of a generation. Canada Vs USA, in Canada.

On the BBC and everything. Not one plug for British hockey, not one promotion to say where you could view a game in your area, the BBC website having no links to the British league. Don't get me wrong I thought the Beebs’ coverage of the actual event and the other games had been good. Brent Pope is an excellent co-commentator and did a really good job of explaining the subtle aspects of the sport. As fans we really have to do more to put pressure on the BBC and Sky to cover our sport, with more fan assisted content there really is no reason for both networks to continually ignore us. And as a side point to Sky, seriously, change the day of your EIHL coverage. Nobody wants to watch a game a full week after it happened. Show it on Monday or even Tuesday, I can avoid a result that long.

 

So thats my take on this season (so far) feel free to disagree with me in the comments box below or just yell at me on Facebook.

 

Till next time.

 

Dows

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