The announcement by the Elite League that it was changing its Conference format has been met with a barrage of criticism from fans across the country.
Changes to the structure were ratified at an EIHL board meeting which sees the previous two Conference system of five teams each replaced with three Conferences, containing four teams apiece.
The addition of Guildford Flames and MK Lightning to the league, along with doubts over the futures of Dundee Stars, Fife Flyers and Edinburgh Capitals has led to the EIHL agreeing a new structure.
Our latest Twitter Talk feature looks at some of the reaction to the news:
EIHL announce new conference structure: https://t.co/Drj9c7xh1M #EIHL #BIHL pic.twitter.com/xsIODKd2yC
— British Ice Hockey (@BritIceHockey) April 27, 2017
Wasn’t a fan of two conferences. Three is ridiculous. @officialEIHL
— Rachael H (@redredraz) April 27, 2017
I wonder if Neil Black is now regretting publicly stating that a 3 conference format would never be implemented in the EIHL… #uturn
— Thomas Graham (@Thomas_Graham92) April 27, 2017
@chrisgllovell @officialEIHL The big 4 teams wanted it that way – more big games vs each other = more people coming to see them = more money.
— Mike Critchell (@mdcritchell) April 27, 2017
@officialEIHL @Popppppy Playing the same teams every week. Way to make the product boring 👎
— Martin Weller (@mweller) April 27, 2017
Nice to know us Cardiff Devils fans saw our team win the last league title that meant something….
— Mark Finn (@Finny__) April 27, 2017
Gutted that we’re not gonna play blaze as often! 🙈 #EIHL
— Fran Hatton Murden🎶 (@Franmurden) April 27, 2017
@_PeterSpencer @HockeyFightsUK @BBCSheffield @BBCSport @steelershockey @officialEIHL @EIHL_fights @FrozenSteelMNL @BritIceHockey I think I’d go with these 3: the Sturgeon conference, the firey-weather conference and the NHL graveyard conference… #eihl
— Simon Kimbrell (@simonkimbrell) April 27, 2017
@dazz20 it will only be a fair league when we play each other equally like any other sport in this country
— Johnathan Williams (@WildthingJ74) April 27, 2017
@officialEIHL This format will only work if the play offs become the main championship. EIHL needed a shake up but im not sure this is it.
— Mike (@Mike_theowl) April 27, 2017
British hockey fans: we could just do like Europe and have one league?
EIHL owners: NAH! Let’s copy the NHL with only 12 teams! https://t.co/LO5Vza7cS9— 2 for flinching (@CBealphotog) April 27, 2017
Fantastic news! Great to hear a compromise could be reached regarding a three conference structure. Common sense prevails. #EIHL https://t.co/cGbxCdXoRo
— Matt Ford (@Matt_Journalist) April 27, 2017
I wish @PanthersIHC could swap with @Mcr_Storm just so we don’t have to play Sheffield every other damn game! #EIHL #Bored
— 🇬🇧Charlotte🏳️🌈 (@Nott_Chi) April 27, 2017
@mmacleod80 @sonofbonzo1 @JaynexNewton @jenniefirtree Great, when is an agreement not an agreement? When it’s an EIHL agreement…the tail has officially wagged the dog
— Craig Williams (@JCW110470) April 27, 2017
This format change just strengthens my belief that I’ve made the right decision not to renew my ST after 15 years.
— Rob Scott (@robbbscott) April 27, 2017
@JCW110470 @mmacleod80 @sonofbonzo1 @jenniefirtree This has to be one of the worst decisions in the EIHL, clearly only benefitting certain teams and forgetting about the rest of the league
— Jayneboy (@JaynexNewton) April 27, 2017
EIHL really is a beer league what a joke need a proper playoff structure for conferences to work
— phil jones (@philjones3) April 27, 2017
@BritIceHockey This is ridiculous – put the best/most supported teams in one conference to disadvantage them and advantage the poorer teams! #beerleague
— Nick Stevens (@clausstevens) April 27, 2017
@TomWalkeden That would be fine if the league wasnt the big trophy but in EIHL it is. League isn’t a level playing field.
— Dorian Franklin (@dozfranklin) April 27, 2017
Most uninspiring outcome possible! Only the EIHL could make such a hash of things… https://t.co/xRYlFlHjjQ
— Ross Kerr (@RossKerr__) April 27, 2017
Creating what’s essentially an exhibition league as a way to solve the money troubles of the smaller clubs is absolutely classic EIHL.
— Nathan (@cricketcelt) April 27, 2017
Really unhappy with the new conferences in the EIHL. Nothing is making me want that season ticket.
— Sam Burkin (@SamBurkin) April 27, 2017
@Richard_J_Allen That’s undoubtedly good news, but wish we got to see the new teams more. Really don’t fancy playing the Panthers that often.
— Tony. (@DISGU15ED) April 27, 2017
New league system seems fine to me.. 2×6 or 3×4 it doesn’t really matter.. Aslong as we have 12 eihl teams n UK hockey expands I’m happy
— Greg Porter (@BlazeFanGreg) April 27, 2017
@BraeheadClan @officialEIHL @BritIceHockey @intuBraehead @BraeheadClanOSC @SNPA_10 @purplearmypod @TheEveningTimes @BBCSportScot @WeAreSTV2 @scotsunsport How to make the Scottish fans bored with the game. How will the Clan improve playing weaker teams all the time?
— MAUREEN MURRAY (@WeeMo09) April 27, 2017
Decision made by the EIHL is best for the league as a whole – shame the same few ‘loud’ individuals are not interested in that!
— Ronnie Nichol (@RonnieWNichol) April 27, 2017
(Image permission: Scott Wiggins)
