LIVE SCORE UPDATES

Sheffield 3-4 Cardiff FINAL
Hull 2-3 Belfast FINAL
Edinburgh 0-7 Braehead FINAL
Coventry 6-2 Dundee FINAL

Saturday preview

Saturdays EIHL fixtures:

Nottingham panthers vs Belfast giants: Belfast giants return to Nottingham looking for revenge since the last they faced them, panthers won the playoffs against them. It completed a historic season for panthers and if they wish to do the same this season, tonights a must win game.

Cardiff devils vs Sheffield steelers: Cardiffs goaltending problems are put to the test against a steelers who look strong, despite a disappointing weekend last week.

Dundee stars vs Edinburgh capitals: Dundee are flying and look to keep it going against a struggling caps side who lost to the same team last Sunday 3-0.

Fife Flyers vs Braehead clan: Clan have had a mixed season so far as they take on bottom of the table Fife tonight who are struggling. They are yet to win. But they will be looking to finally get on track tonight.

If you are attending any of tonights games, I hope you have a great time getting behind your team. Its Saturday night hockey! Hope you enjoy. Match reports tomorrow of tonights games!


Posted by Rhys Williams

Weekend Review

Panthers have brilliant weekend, which is made even better with rivals Steelers loosing twice...

Sheffield steelers had a terrible weekend of hockey which saw them have two losses. The worst game of the season so far for them saw them get hammered by big rivals Nottingham panthers, 7-3 on Saturday in Nottingham! But a great result for panthers who had signed new d-man Nick Anderson in the week to replace injured Eric Werner.

  A dreadful first period for Sheffield which saw them go 3-1 down despite scoring first but three unanswered goals would give panthers the dream start including a great finish by David Clarke. Steelers got back into it with a nice shot to beat Kowalski in the panthers goal. But Chris Caparo wouldn't let it go and put Nottingham 4-2 up by the second break. The third would see panthers put the game away but steelers scored a cracker! Panthers though would press harder to win with three other goals. This would round off an amazing night for panthers with their best game so far! Leigh Salters fantastic seventh goal would grab him man of the match. HIGHLIGHTS HERE:

Sunday saw another great night for panthers, beating Cardiff devils 5-3 in Wales who have had 3rd backup Greg Balis in goal, who is sharing ice time with backup Joe Myers to replace injured keeper Dan LaCosta. But Sheffield's bad nightmare continued, loosing out to Braehead clan 5-4 after a shootout, to get revenge on all the defeats Steelers piled on them last season. And who else to get beaten by, than last seasons coach Ryan Finnerty. Wouldn't of thought of that 7 months ago! Ryan Finnerty beating Sheffield! Highlights of that big game here:  

Stars streak ended Friday, but doesn't stop their destruction of the EIHL...

Dundee won. Thats one sentence you'll hear a lot this season. Their streak was ended Friday by Belfast giants, loosing out 5-3. But that didn't affect them in the slightest. Saturday they would blitz Cardiff Devils 7-0 on a great night of hockey with a huge crowd at Dundee ice arena. The first period would have a brilliant start as stars went 3-0 up by break one. Brock McPherson would open the scoring,and start off an amazing night. Their would be two goals in the second and third from a range of players including two from Nico Sacchetti. 

  Dundee fans would go home with smiles on their faces, which would get ten times better with a second shut out in a row for stars goalie, Dan Bakala. They beat Edinburgh capitals 3-0 and yet again Sacchetti got two goals. Seems a pattern now, Bakala gets a shutout, Sacchetti scores twice! Thats happening often this season! Highlights of win over devils here: 

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

Blaze backup Goss to the rescue...

Coventry blaze had a great game at the skydome on Sunday. In a challenge cup game against Hull stingrays, it was at 13:08 that the disaster of loosing starting goalie Mike Zacharias occurred. But thankfully, it was young Brit Adam Goss that came to the rescue! He made some amazing saves, and led blaze to a high scoring 7-4 victory. It was one of Coventry's best performances of the season so far, with Adam Henrich opening the scoring for blaze. From that point on, they showed true character for the rest of the game but Hull did do well to keep the game in reach including Guillame Doucet scoring twice. He's turning into a goal machine isn't he! Blaze though dominated the game and deserved the win. Highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuLEpDcU46I&feature=c4-overview&list=UUmwcMWn7iQVvzx1DWD3hPhg

They also had a fantastic 2-1 shootout win at Fife on Saturday with a big crowd at the flyers barn. Flyers looked in control for most of the game.  They took a 1-0 lead via Steve Gunn into the first two breaks  and as the clock ticked down, it was looking to be flyers night but with nine minutes to go blaze finally got the goal they pushed for all game. It would be another goal machine for Coventry that scored, Michael Henrich. For what looked to be an easy win would then go to sudden death penalty shots! This shootout went on for a while but eventually a blaze goal followed by a flyers miss would turn an easy win into a turn around loss for Fife. 

A giant shocker for Clan...

Another good crowd in Belfast saw them stun Braehead clan despite a very tight game throughout. This game saw many turning points and this could go any way. Former giant Matt Towe scored against his fomrer club at one point. There were many turning points including a Colin Sheilds hat trick to have the game 4-4 going into the final minute. Overtime was on the horizon but with six point one seconds left, Chris Higgins scored and left clan stunned and the Belfast arena literally exploded with noise! Belfast fans had a great night and everyone in Belfast went home happy. Clan fans however weren't. They bounced back though with a 5-4 shootout win(report at top of post with highlights) in Sheffield for a mixed weekend. A 5-4 defeat and a 5-4 win. 

Stingrays comebacked by Capitals beofre blaze defeat for bad weekend...

Saturday in Hull was a bad one despite leading 2-0 ended up getting comebacked by Edinburgh Capitals for a 5-3 loss. It was followed by a 7-4 defeat in Coventry(report further up post) which led to a bad weekend. Its not been too good so far for Rays and after their brilliant pre-season, their was confindence and people thought this was their year. But shockingly, they've dropped and lost their spirit. This team is good though and can go far.  They can do it if they push a little further. 

EIHL TABLE AFTER THIS WEEKEND:

Pos	ELITE	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	PTS
1	Dundee	6	5	1	0	0	10
2	Belfast	4	3	1	0	0	6
3	Coventry	4	3	1	0	0	6
4	Nottingham	4	3	1	0	0	6
5	Braehead	4	2	2	0	0	4
6	Sheffield	3	1	1	0	1	3
7	Hull	3	1	2	0	0	2
8	Edinburgh	4	1	3	0	0	2
9	Cardiff	4	1	3	0	0	2
10	Fife	4	0	2	0	2	2

Dundee still lead the pack, is this their year? Its going to be close this year! All the teams look strong and we have a battle now! Its only week two. And we are already in full swing! Whats your thoughts? Comment below! 

Posted by Rhys Williams

  

LIVE SCORE UPDATES

Sheffield 4-5 Braehead  FINAL SO

Coventry 7-4 Hull FINAL

Edinburgh 0-3 Dundee FINAL

Cardiff 3-5 Nottingham FINAL

SATURDAYS SCORES IN MATCH REPORTS TOMORROW

Stars destruction finally halted by Giants

It took a while but with Dundee Stars wiping out every team in the league, they were finally defeated 5-3 by a strong Belfast giants side. A good crowd in Belfast which pumped up the side even more. Belfast had the control for most of the game as at one point they were leading 4-1 but Dundee roared back into make it 4-3 but Belfast weren't letting it go. They made it 5-3 to put the game and stars winning run away. For what proved to be a really great game of hockey.

Posted by Rhys Williams 

WEEKEND REVIEW

Stars of the show Dundee are on a roll.... 

Dundee are now the team to beat with their best weekend of the season so far. They played two top sides, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers. Both in front of massive home crowds too. It all started with a home smashing of the Nottingham Panthers, as they left them stunned with a brilliant 5-2 scoreline, for panthers first defeat so far this league season. Now, stars were officially the team to beat. A break on Saturday would make them fresh for Sunday, another hard test against the Sheffield Steelers and they also edged them 4-3 in a really tense game which almost saw a remarkable comeback for the steelers but stars just wouldn't let go. It would cap off an amazing weekend of hockey and really put Dundee in a great position and now know they are probably the best team in league right now. Highlights of the panthers game here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD0m7WNbRIA&feature=c4-overview&list=UUPkKGWPFn8EF5-dFEHT5Qlw

Coventry blitz Belfast and Fife for an amazing weekend...

Coventry blaze had a roarer of a weekend with their best game of the season so far stunning top side Belfast giants, with a unbelievable 5-0 shutout win. 40 shot shutout as well !

  As their hard fought game against giants(we'll get highlights of that ASAP) they iced to an easy 6-1 hammering of Fife which, like the stars, capped off an amazing weekend! Highlights of the fife match here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W65zceF138

One adventure of a weekend for Nottingham... 

Nottingham panthers continued their grand slam defense with a tough weekend in Scotland which was a dramatic three games in three nights. It was to be their toughest test of the season so far,with lots of drama. It all started with a 5-2 stuner by Dundee stars(highlights of the stars game on the top of the page) which was then followed by a unbelievable night in Fife. Saturday night, so a big crowd in flyers barn. 

 Brent Henley would get a one match ban by EIHL officals for a sucker punch, he missed the game against Edinburgh Capitals the next day. Also, Panthers worst injury loss of the season so far would come, loosing Eric Werner... for up to eight weeks with a broken leg. The game would end 4-4 and would go to a shootout after no score in Overtime. Panthers were doing well and it would go down to a tense shot, taken by flyers Dan Lacosta with one save needed by Craig Kowalski to secure a panthers win. 

 Lacosta would miss... from the referees view, but flyers and their fans would have none of it. The puck on the review did cross the line. Heres a clip of the shot: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPCmJKj1eHg&list=UU6XKTgEyiQj3eXbYkYu7Atw. Henleys sucker punch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhFIWwry2PI&list=UU6XKTgEyiQj3eXbYkYu7Atw

They followed this drama with a close 4-2 victory in Murrayfield against Edinburgh Cpaitals. Caps had a terrible weekend getting hammered by Sheffield Steelers (10-3)  as well.

Cardiff lose to Braehead, but stun Hull...

Cardiff Devils had a big weekend, with a loss to Braehead (4-3) without starting goalie Dan Lacosta, or backup Joe Myers, so Hull backup joined Cardiff, Greg Balis on a one off match with the starting role. The next night, he would go from playing with Cardiff to playing AGAINST them! Rays led 3-0 at one point but ended up getting stunned with a comeback by the welsh team. Final score: 4-3 to devils! 

Standings after weekend two: 

Dundee

Nottingham 

Coventry

Belfast

Cardiff

Hull 

Braehead 

Sheffield

Fife 

Edinburgh

                                              Well, the season looks great so far, can Dundee keep this up? Is this their                                                      year? Its going to be a real battle! We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please 

                                                 leave comments. 

Posted by Rhys Williams  

LIVE SCORE UPDATES

Edinburgh 2-4 Nottingham End of FINAL! 

Dundee 4-3 Sheffield FINAL!

Hull 3-4 Cardiff FINAL! 

Dundee in dreamland after beating Nottingham 5-2

Last night was one of Dundee stars best victorys in their history, after struggling last year, they had their hardest test of the season so far against last seasons grand slam champions, the Nottingham panthers. Dundee were determined to keep their 2013-14 unbeaten record up and had a hard test against the panthers. It was a massive game against the top team in British ice hockey which saw a dream first period.

 Dundee went 2-0 up in the first period with goals from Brock McPherson and Mike Wrill, and a scoreless second would set up a big showdown in the third.

Panthers were desperate to comeback into it and finally got on the board with David Clarke getting panthers 200th EIHL goal but Dundee didn't want to let this go, they got Nottingham back for all the defeats last season and made it 3-1 quickly but Leigh Salters scored for Nottingham to make it 3-2.

Last seasons champions were pushing so hard not to loose but Dundee made them pay. Kashirky made it 4-2 and Dundee finished an incredible victory with a final goal in the closing minutes to put panthers at bay, to make a memorable night for the big crowd of home fans.Finally  beating the power house of the EIHL.

Video Highlights from the weekend:

Nottingham panthers vs Sheffield steelers:

Cardiff devils vs Belfast giants: http://www.belfastgiants.com/archives/highlights-as-giants-defeat-devils-7-2/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ww6ZN4WtY&list=PLKO-o8tEr-hddl1f-fuv5UAIWmLMWIbnI Clan v stars 

Sorry we couldnt find any more. But enjoy watching! 

Other weekend scores: 

Nottingham smashed Hull (9-3)

Dundee kept up their unbeaten record beating Coventry 3-1 

Fife edged caps 2-1

Braehead got stunned by Hull 5-2

5-2 Cardiff won in fife 

Belfast 5-0 caps 

Sheffield 4-2 Coventry 

EIHLS back!! Weekend best picks! TOP 3

TOP THREE BEST MATCHES OF THE WEEKEND! :

Nottingham panthers vs Sheffield steelers:

Europes two biggest rivals had a mighty showdown at Sheffield arena on Sunday with a 4-1 victory for the panthers, fights from Tim spencer and Bret Henley would get the crowd pumping. A goal from Francis would start Nottinghams scoring, then a second period smack from Steve lee would put panthers 2-0 up. Sheffield finally  got on the board with with Jonathan Phillips scoring but Nottingham wouldn't give up as David Clarke fired home. Matt Francis nicked his second of the game to finish a fine weekend for the panthers to get the ball rolling. Highlights here: 


Hull stingrays vs Braehead clan:


Hull iced to a stunning 5-2 victory over Braehead Clan in dramatic fashion with Hull scroring four goals by the end of the second period for a 4-0 lead but clan broke the shutout via Kevin Bergin. Very quickly too. Rays determination continued and made it 5-1 but Clan made too little too late for a final score of 5-2.

Cardiff Devils vs Belfast giants
With the loss of starting goalie Dan Lacosta via injury on Saturday,  backup Joe Myers took the pipes but giants blizted devils 7-2! With a thrid period explosion of goals, and belfast iced to their best game so far!!

Hockeys back tonight!!

Woo!! The wait is finally over! EIHL hockey is back tonight!! Fixtures for opening are: 

Nottingham Panthers Vs Hull stingrays as panthers start their grand slam defence!! 

Coventry Blaze vs Sheffield steers: steelers new team looks to get revenge on blaze for getting them out of the playoffs last year.

Braehead Clan vs Dundee stars: A new looking clan team starts their Gardiner conference defence.   

Belfast Giants vs Edinburgh capitals: 

This will be a close encounter as two strong looking teams battle it out! 

Fife Flyers vs Cardiff Devils: Devils and flyers, possibly the most unpredictable fixture of the night, as a mix of old and new faces are in Fife along with lots of new faces in Wales fight a real battle!! 

10 in 10: Nottingham panthers

A look back: 

And now, the one you've been waiting for: WOW!! Out of all the teams, this was the best team, an amazing season is Nottingham saw their first ever EIHL title, a challenge cup and playoff title, It was the best season in history, truly unstoppable. It was a memorable season with players like Ling and Graham making it happen.They battled through everyone in their way and never gave up.  Highlights of their league winning game here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3cm4y8rKos and their playoff winning game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEKraAfQbPo, they have been a truly amazing team, and out of all the teams we've done through 10 in 10, this was the best we've done.

A look forward:

Despite loosing a lot of players, panthers still have players like Rob Lachowicz and goalie Craig  Kowalski plus much more of last seasons batch but newbies include Brent Henley and Chris Capraro, can they do it again, this is the team to beat! 

Thanks for reading 10 in 10: HOCKEYS BACK TONIGHT!!

10 in 10: Sheffield steelers

A look back: 

Steelers regular season didn't  really go to plan last year with many problems, but did finish third in the EIHL, and were challenge cup runners up to Nottingham panthers. Looking at the bigger picture: it was terrible, two losses to Edinburgh, and missed play-off weekend for a second time in a row which results in Ryan Finnerty getting the sack. The best part was the 9-4 smashing of the Nottingham Panthers. highlights here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS3z7UKXI2k

A look forward: 

Its a whole new generation for the steelers with new head coach Doug Christensen, who won Belfast a playoff title a few years back, loads of new players including new goalie Frank Doyle. With this new start, could it be a different looking steelers side?

Our next and final team is: Nottingham panthers, up on the blog in a few moments. 

10 in 10: Hull Stingrays

A look back:

Bottom of the league and bottom of the conference, Hull had a terrible season, problems on the ice mainly. The team tried hard though but just could never hang on  to leads. They had some good points though towards the end of the season; a four game winning streak which almost gave them hope but it was too little, too late so rays couldn't make the playoffs.

A look forward:

The pre-season has been a complete turn around, the bounce back is coming  true with a dream pre-season currently unbeaten. Victorys over Edinburgh twice with a 9-0 blitzing and a 5-4 shootout win and the a big 3rd period comeback to tie 5-5 with lower league team Sheffield steeldogs. But its not pre-season that counts, they need to do this stuff on the ice, with a tough EIHL start against Nottingham panthers. Could this be their turning point? It looks promising. 

Due to this post being a few days late, Sheffield steelers 10 in 10 will be up tonight(Monday) or tomorrow. 

UPDATE ON  CAPS 10 IN 10 WITH HIGHLIGHTS.   http://eihlnation.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/10-in-10-edinburgh-capitals.html