Twitter Talk: Cup format fails to impress

The NIHL’s new twelve-team National Cup has received a largely negative reaction on a variety of platforms.

Six former EPL sides will join three NIHL North teams and three from NIHL South in the new competition, but fans say the format will lead to too many games against the same clubs.

Our latest Twitter Talk feature looks at some of the reaction to the news:

NIHL confirms national cup competition: https://t.co/nvjBZxxlAM #NIHL #BIHL pic.twitter.com/glByei7cFS

— British Ice Hockey (@BritIceHockey) June 15, 2017

More games against the same teams. Sadly this league structure has a shelf life of 12 months thanks to the usual self interest and politics. https://t.co/qYJCXwJrzu

— David Carr (@carrsy2) June 15, 2017

Can’t say I’m thrilled.. So many games against Streatham and London next season. Missed opportunity imho

— Mike Wright (@detroit97) June 15, 2017

All parties scrambled and they found an idea. Arguably too many games (not sure why there’s an Autumn Cup) but better than too few

— Banners On The Wall (@BannersOTW) June 15, 2017

Problem is nobody knows if the league will be as lopsided as the crossover cup do they

— John Akers (@jonakers27) June 15, 2017

I wonder whether there will be lots of wringing of hands followed by bending over backwards for NIHL teams should this format be unworkable

— Jules (@JulesItsjules) June 15, 2017

It’s all about keeping the EPL teams happy bud.Our league was fine,lets see how long before this league is done.Just look at the rosters.

— Simon Anderson (@Simonhockey45) June 15, 2017

No one is blaming the EIHA on this one. Clubs have let each other down AGAIN https://t.co/UP6CPP4upZ

— David Carr (@carrsy2) June 15, 2017

Should have been old NIHL teams in one and ex EPL teams in another everyone gets to play old rivals and freshens it up for the fans

— Peter Wicker (@Pete_wicker) June 15, 2017

I don’t understand why teams always want to play more games. Just don’t pay as much to players.

— Lee Harvey (@OswaldTCamel) June 15, 2017

Testing my maths but I think if we made the final in National Cup, Autumn Trophy & playoffs…should be 63 games max? Not bad at all #nihl 🏆

— Matthew Church (@MattCrunch) June 16, 2017

I’m sure the “national” cup could expand in future years and become just that without regionalised qualifiers.

— Craig Simpson (@craigsimpson42) June 15, 2017

(Image permission: John Scott)