10 in 10: Fife flyers

A look back:

2012/13 had lots of highs and lows for the flyers. After a disappointing 2011/12 campaign, they knew the upcoming season needed improvement. They lost goaltender Garret Zemlak, one of the best goalies in Flyers history. But his replacement Bryon Pitton was worth it. A few shutouts, and some great saves proved Pitton to be a fan favourite and so was his brother forward Jason Pitton who was Flyers top scorer. They had some great games this season, beating Sheffield and Belfast. Highlights here of the giants game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peBC72ljqQs They also made the playoffs for the first time in the EIHL era but lost the quarter final 5-4 aggregate to Nottingham panthers, who would go on to win the grand slam. Despite that they won the first leg 4-2. Highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju28l0CD28o

A look forward:

Not many changes this year but they do have a new goalie, and some new forwards, including Matt Reber. Could it pay off this year? its all to play for!

Our next team: Hull stingrays. see you tomorrow!

10 in 10: Edinburgh Capitals

A look back:

Well, what can I say, the past few seasons have been dreadful for caps. Its been difficult. At the start of the season, they knew they had to do something about it. The first few months of the season went as everyone thought. They were very unlucky. They even lost 10-0 to Nottingham panthers once. Caps curse looked to continue, BUT... the turning point of the season was to come. A Saturday night game up in Sheffield, with caps bad season, Sheffield were going to win of course...... or were they? 1-1 with five minutes to go, and caps scored, that goal was their turning point of the season. After that, they were stunning everyone and couldn't stop.  Who would of thought they'd help  Nottingham win their first league title? They kicked the panthers up the backside just three days later with the same score line, beat Sheffield AGAIN on penalty shots later in the season to keep away from the top two, Panthers and Giants, then beat Belfast 3-2 to get Nottingham one win away from their historic league title, which panthers grabbed on their first chance! It was caps best season in years! highlights of both caps wins over steelers here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X8eZ2-Kr0g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db_tqvBDoTc

A look forward:

The majority of  Caps roster returns this season, and will all look to get that silverware they kraved for years. Is this their best chance yet? Playoff contenders if you ask me...

Tommorows team will be: Fife flyers. See you then! 

10 in 10: Dundee Stars

A look back:

Stars regular season didn't really go to plan as they missed the playoffs for the first time in their short franchise time. Despite being strong contenders for the Gardiner conference and starting the regular season with the best home record in the league, they slipped and were terrible defensively.  But goalie Nic Riopel was a quality goalie, with the best save percentage in the league and was always on his top game. But like Garret Zemlak proved in Fife, a good goalie needs good defense. Even though they had a great goalie, the defense needed to up their game. They had good forwards though including former Nottingham Panthers Sami Ryhanen and former Braehead clan forward Mike Wrill.

A look forward: 

With lots of new players, even a new goalie, Dundee look stronger than ever! This team will make the playoffs i think, and possibly favorites for the Gardiner conference. If they improve on defense, then this team will be dangerous.

Tommorows team will be: Edinburgh Capitlas! See you then!

10 in 10: Coventry blaze

A look back:

Blazes regular season went up and down but they the good stuff came more than bad by just a bit. They manged to grab an NHler Matt Beleskey during the lockout. He made a big mark in Coventry, and scored lots of goals.

The blaze had lots of youngsters which was helping the blaze with good speed and some great attack. The reason they ended up with an empty trophy cabinet was because they got carried away,e.g. they threw away a 3-0 lead in Belfast to end up loosing 4-3 in the shootout. One week later they led 2-0 against the Nottingham panthers to end up getting blitzed 8-3. If they can hang on to these leads this time round, the future will be bright. Avoid mistakes, and keep the physical play up, this franchise can be a contender. 

 They even reached finals weekend but lost the semi final against giants 5-1. They beat Sheffield in the QF 6-5 on aggregate, highlights of the winning game here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjRcS8e7g_0

A look forward:

With new coach, new goalie and a whole band of new players, a new era dawns for the blaze and should get back to winning ways! It looks big this season...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jhuDEvTquE

Join us tommorow, when we review Dundee Stars.

10 in 10: Cardiff devils

A look back:

Cardiff Devils regular season went good and bad really. The first half of the season was great. They were a strong team. Players like Mac Faulkner were on fire and goaltender Phil Oaser were coming up big. 

  Just as Cardiff were racing up the table though, the course of there season changed completely as top scorer Mac Faulkner ended his season with injury and netminder Phil Oaser left to go to Norway. 

  More players were lost in Cardiff with injury but additions of players such as Luke Ferrara and Josh Batch got there season back on track, they reached their 10th playoff weekend in a row, the only team to do that. 

  Despite failing to win the playoffs, devils showed true character and came back from the down! 

A look forward: 

A strong roster this year. Dan Lacosta(Former NHLer) in goal with big additions ,such as returning to wales Matt Myers, who played for panthers too. This season looks big for Devils!! Could this be their year? 

Tomorrows team is Coventry Blaze. 

10 in 10: Braehead Clan

A look back:

Last season was a disaster up in Glasgow, clan having a terrible season. Things didn't go to plan and they only just just clinched a playoff spot, BUT after the nightmares of the season, with loss after loss, they started getting more wins and as they picked up, they raced to a Gardiner conference championship, finishing top of the division and Braehead beat Dundee to seal the top spot on the tense Conferenc. Highlights of that game here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkbRWp_qGDk

They reached the playoffs but sadly lost to Cardiff 12-9 on aggregate. But they won 7-5 in a action packed home game against Cardiff Devils before getting beat 7-2 in wales to end a topsy turvey season.. Highlights here of the home leg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poidRE6vmqc

It was mainly goaltending that was clans down side, Garret Zemlak, who had played amazing in Fife, joined clan but didn't fit in and ended up being released because of not being able to get comfortable in Brahead, so Zemlak moved to Belfast. His replacement was Daren Machesney who did well to join mid-seson and played great hockey. Not only did clan change goalie,  but coach too, Paul Gardner replacing Jordan Krestanovich .

A look forward: 

Clan are rising this season. After Machesney left to be a teacher, AHL star joined them in Kyle Jones. Like mid season last year, they changed goalie and coach, former Sheffield coach Ryan Finnerty joined them. 

The changes look bright for them, could this be the start of a comeback?

Tommorows team is: Cardiff Devils

Sorry i couldn't do hockey chat last night, i was busy but I will let you know as soon as possible when i have time.

s

10 in 10: Belfast giants

A look back:

Day one of our 10 in 10 series sees us look at the Belfast giants. They missed out closely on both the playoffs and elite league loosing out to Nottingham panthers on both competitions. They did beat Nottingham panthers at something though, winning the Erhardt conference.

 With Grahame Walton having a testimonial season for his tenth year in Belfast. At the end of the season, he retired, but he was a great player and never gave up. He'll be remembered in EIHL forever. His final home game in Belfast, and conference presentation is on this video(scroll to Giants vs Capitals and click that to view). http://www.u.tv/tags/chapters.aspx?tagguid=C44939AB-797B-4214-97CE-E8D947CDF6C5

They had a great team last season, but despite being runners up of two cups, they had a conference title, which was clinched in Sheffield, heres highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX2HfDWXtmQ

A look forward: 

A lot of changes have been made in Belfast, including addition of new coach Paul Adey. Their new ear video says it all.

http://vimeo.com/65853360

Lots of old faces have returned to Belfast to try and bounce back from the heartbreaks of last season, and will defend that Erhardt title with true potential. Especially with big additions to the team including Calvin Elfring, whos thrilled to be in Belfast. Not to froget Chris Higgins. Belfast are exited. Will this be their year? Its all to play for in season 2013-14.

10 in 10 is back tommorow when we review Braehead clan.
And hockey chat starts on Twitter tommorow at 9:00PM @EIHLnation

Who wants hockey? Build up week starts tomorrow on EIHLFN

With the season almost here, Eihl nation is starting build up week (well 10 days actually) starts tomorrow,with lots of build up posts. Things we will start:

10 IN 10: 

As you may know, NHL started their 30 in 30 series, each day they do one team and review and show the teams highlights from last season, well guess what? We are starting one here on this blog! Each day, we will review a team with some video highlights of that team from last season. We will start tomorrow with Belfast Giants.

Facebook and twitter hockey chats:

Lets gossip hockey, ill be interacting with fans on Facebook and Twitter, talking hockey! Join us Tomorrow evening, between 7:00 and 9:00. Or if not, Wednesday night instead.

Top 10s: 

On one night we shall do top 10s of things like goals, save and fights.

See you tomorrow! With day one of 10 in 10 episode 1: a giant era.

Signings update- August 12th 2013

Braehead- The clans off-season gets better and better with addition of Nathan Moon and Julien Corriveau.(goalie announcement tomorrow.

Dundee- With stars roster coming along nicely, they now have former Braehead player Brock McPherson, and signing  Nikita Kashirsky.

Fife- Despite being the only team without a goalie, Flyers do sign a great player in Andy Contois. 

Posted at 10:37PM 

Clan goalie announcement on Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, the Braehead clan shall finally announce their new netminder. Its been a long wait for the club and the news will finally be released. Last seasons goalie, Daren Machesney departed the club to be a teacher but he did a good job in net and the saves he made were in style.

Posted at 11:1PM

signings update 04/08/2013

Braehead: Two signings for the clan with Nathan Moon and Ray Macias, the clan roster is almost complete.

Sheffield: Gord Baldwin, who is raring to go and is a great defenceman.

Fife: Thomas Muir re-signs for a third season with the Scottish club, Fife roster looking good with lots of familer faces returning.

Sorry about the short post, been busy lately but during the new season these posts will be more interesting with quicker posts.

Posted at 1:06 PM