Pre season action this weekend

Tomorrow, Belfast Giants meet Cardiff Devils at home for the first time before heading to Cardiff on Sunday to face off again! Devils have already played this season. Wednesday, they lost to Coventry Blaze by a 3-2 scoreline. Be sure to get tickets for these games, defiantly non-missable!

Braehead Clan are in action on Saturday and Sunday with Asiago, who continue their Scottish tour. Tonight they play Dundee, then tomorrow, off to Glasgow! They play for the Aladin cup over two days, tickets will be a treat for this game!

Down to Coventry, and they take on the Sheffield Steelers tomorrow in the Steel city's Ice Sheffield. Fresh from their 3-2 home victory vs Cardiff Devils, they are pumping for this one! :-)

Nottingham Panthers have played plenty of hockey so far, and are in France this weekend for a tournament with European teams again!

 

 

As you can see, hockeys in full swing now! More to come!

 

 

Pre season action tonight

 

To get the teams ready for the new season, they normally play some friendlies to get us pumping. Tonight, Dundee Stars take on a club that knows the EIHL well, Asiago Lions. The Italian side are a great side, and will test the Stars. Stars are doing well though, currently leading 4-2.

 

A team also doing well, fresh from CHL action, Nottingham Panthers, are leading Amiens Gothiques 3-1. The Panthers had some pre-CHL action losing both games in Slovenia 3-1 and 4-3 before losing both home CHL competitive games 4-2 and 10-1 last weekend. They now play three games in France this weekend for pre-EIHL action! Keeping this lead will mean the first victory of the season for the East Midlands side.

 

Panthers get hammered by Lulea despite great performance...

 

The CHL continued for Nottingham Panthers today who faced possibly their toughest ever game against Lulea hockey! The Swedish outfit cruised to a 10-1 demolition of the Panthers, who were great right from the off. Lulea scored two bouncy deflections in the first period very quickly, but a scrum around the net was eventually smashed home by Brandon Benedict for 2-1.

 

Going into the second period, it looked like it was going to be tight right to the end, both teams playing exceptionally well, but Lulea scored 2 quick goals for a 4-1 lead. Panthers changed goalie from Craig Kowalski to former Hull netminder, on his Panthers debut; Martins Raitums. It wasn't a good start for the Latvian, conceding his first shot for 5-1 Lulea! A stunning few saves came up for Martins though, but some good moves by the Lulea players forced 3 more goals to have the game put to bed by the end of the second. An 8-1 scoreline had smashed the Panthers.

 

 Panthers came out a lot stronger in the third period, some great chances just didn't go Nottingham's way, and Lulea added salt to the wound, with two late goals. They had scored earlier though, only for it to be waved off by Mike Hicks! The Panthers outfit had been hammered, but to be fair this team was much higher rank, and was a whole new test for the GMB Nottingham Panther. It could of been a whole lot worse, so the team has rose to the challenge and should be proud of their efforts!

 

The Panthers are in France for pre-season action this weekend so their CHL campaign resumes on Friday 5th September when they play Lukko again away in Finland, then Sunday 7th September (My birthday!) Lulea are up again away in Sweden as Panthers follow the same formatted schedule as this weekend (Friday vs Lukko, Sunday vs Lulea) except they are away this time! This is on the opening EIHL weekend so their Elite League campaign starts a week later than everyone else. 13th September when they take on Cardiff Devils at their home rink, the NIC in Nottingham! CHL action resumes Tuesday 23rd September when DEL (Germany) side Hamburg Freezers visit Nottingham for another action packed CHL game. Their final game (unless they make the quarter finals) is Tuesday 7th October when they meet Hamburg for the second time in Germany to end Panthers CHL adventure, unless they make the quarters.

Your thoughts

One Sheffield Steelers fan tweeted us (@EIHLNation)

"I thought your team put in a good performance despite them been a cut above and should be proud"

And a very proud Panthers fan 

"I thought today's game was an excellent game to watch although the Panthers did suffer a heavy defeat, we were playing 1/2 who was a class above anything we have seen in the uk with a far bigger budget but gives the Panthers match practice."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHL continues, Panthers vs Lulea Hockey tomorrow!

The CHL is proving to be a major success. 44 European clubs, including the Elite Leagues Nottingham Panthers, are playing a very competitive tournament so far! Panthers opening game was a hard played performance but lost 4-2 to Lukko Rauman!

 

Tomorrow there journey continues with a home game against Lulea Hockey! It will be another exiting game like Friday night, facing off at 1:35pm! Enjoy folks!

Panthers stage stunning performance against dominant Lukko, but lose 4-2

 

The season finally started last night, with Nottingham Panthers in their 44 European clubs competition, the Champions Hockey League (CHL) as they took on Finnish team Lukko Rauman. Lukko were a much higher team, and showed that by dominating the first period! Lukko scored early with a 2 on 1 in front of Craig Kowalski with a one timer beating the Panthers goalie for 1-0. Quickly, they doubled it with a swift backhand opportunity, making it 2-0.

 It seemed Panthers were in for a long night, but in the second period they put up a stunning show, resulting in a scrum around the net coming out to Steve Lee who smashed it home for 2-1.

These teams were playing to their strengths now, and no one was giving up, but Panthers got a golden chance with a power-play. Very quickly after the faceoff, it was Steve Lee the hero once again with a bullet to make it 2-2.

It would be a huge third period, which had both teams doing everything they could to score, but it was Lukko finding the net twice again to win the game 4-2. Despite the loss, Panthers are proud of their performance and will hope to put things right as they take on Lulea tomorrow at 1:35pm.

The first 2 days CHL results:

The waits over. Hockey returns at 7pm

The wait is over! Hockey in the UK is back tonight as Nottingham Panthers take on Lukko Rauman in the Champions hockey league (CHL). Brandon Benedict plays his first competitive game as Panthers captain, in their biggest season start in history. Game starts at 7pm. Its on Premier sports! Virgin channel 551, Sky channel 428! Here we go!

The adventure starts tomorrow... 1 DAY TO GO!!

 After a long off season of no hockey, ice hockey will return! The Champions hockey league (CHL) kicked off tonight for some teams, but for our EIHL representative, Nottingham Panthers, it begins tomorrow against group K rivals, Lukko Rauman!

 Last season was a true experience and adventure for fans, players and staff, which was enjoyed by all, and when it ended, it was sad to say goodbye to hockey, but we are reunited tomorrow night as Nottingham Panthers play in the huge, 44 club competition! Lukko are a top team and will put Panthers to the test,! One not to miss! Faceoff is 7:30pm. Yes, it is on Premier Sports! Virgin channel 551, Sky channel 428 or Premier sports website! Here we go!

ALS ice bucket challenge

As you are probably aware, people all over the world are trying the ALS ice bucket challenge to raise awareness of the disease ALS. Celebrities and members of the public are doing it every day...and hockey players are too! Here's how it works: you tip a bucket of cold ice in water over your head, then nominate three (or more if you want) people to do it as well. They then do the same and so on.

 

 So, which EIHL players/staff/fans are trying it. I've been doing research and heres a few...

Sid the kid inspires Simmsey, starting the EIHL ice bucket challenges!!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153006245340130&set=vb.604770129&type=3

After seeing NHLer Sidney Crosby try it, Sheffield Steelers GM David Simms attempted it and nominated four Steelers players. Mark Thomas, Robert Dowd, Jason Hewitt and Jonathan Phillips! Mark Thomas excepted, and after an error in their first attempt, part two went well:

 

Not bad, eh? Jonathan Phillips and Jason Hewitt accepted Simmseys challenge too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5IoM1FrlrI

One of the nominations from these Steeler guys was Coventry Blaze coach Marc Lefebvre. I can't find any footage of it but he nominated Paul Thompson who got a huge bucket over his head:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153021825765130&set=vb.604770129&type=3

His nomination was a Nottingham trio of Corey Neilson(coach) , Gary Moran(GM) and Neil Black (Owner)

As you can see it gets bigger and bigger, hence why the whole world is at it. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder) has even done it, pop stars, people on TV, sports people, members of the public, are helping to raise awareness of the disease ALS. The best ice bucket challenges (hockey wise) were NHLer PK Subban, who had a truck over him,

and another NHLer and former Cardiff Devil, Paul Bissonette, who had a HELICOPTER over him!

Please continue this, to raise awareness of this disease and to have a laugh. The Nottingham Panthers fans are doing a group one (hopefully) next month, and I'm hoping to be in on it too! :-)

 

Giant signing for Belfast! Ray Sawada joins

Belfast Giants have announced the signing of ex NHLer Ray Sawada. He played for three seasons with Dallas Stars and 354 games with Texas in the AHL!

 

8 days to go!

Just 8 days until the CHL starts with Nottingham Panthers taking on Lukko!! Also, good luck to those getting A level results today! Happy birthday to my little brother, Warren too! :-)

Stars sign former Panther

Dundee Stars have made a mega boost to their team for the 14/15 season. Canadian Matt Ryan (who played for Nottingham Panthers last season) joins the side for two years as player assistant coach! The former NHLer will be a massive shock signing for the Stars and one they are lucky to have!

9 days to go!

Just 9 days until Nottingham Panthers vs Lukko in the Champions hockey league!!!!! The ultimate European hockey showdown! CHL will be on Premier sports for those of you not attending the games! Virgin channel 551/Sky channel 428

EIHL update

Hey hockey fans!  As I got back from my family's holiday on Saturday, I have missed out on a lot of news, so let's catch up!

Signings

 First of all, Belfast have signed their first new face to the roster, 30 year old forward, Mark McCutcheon. He's played at AHL and DEL level, not to forget being drafted by Colorado Avalanche in 2003! Mike Kompon also joins. The Canadian forward has played in many leagues across the world, and will face a formers teams rivals again when Giants visit Germany for the Continental cup!

 On to Braehead Clan, and they made a shock by adding Stefan Meyer from Sheffield Steelers!  He won the playoffs with Steelers last season, so is a massive bonus. Also, he's a friend of another new Clan player, Matt Keith, and can score some big goals. A treat for Clan fans, this one.

 Dundee have had a star signing too, former NHLer, John Mitchell, who has played with Anaheim Ducks and has a lot of AHL experience. Joining him, and the rest of the Stars team, is experienced Canadien forward Rob Ricci.

 Edinburgh Capitals have had a couple of good signings too! Sean Beattie joins the caps, and is a promising youngster. Another signing, is former ECHL player Riley Emmerson who played 350 games in ECHL experience!

 For Fife Flyers, Euan Forsyth joins the Flyers defence for his home town club, as the club hopes for success this year.

 Hull Stingrays have landed possibly their biggest signing yet, former captain Kurtis Dulle returns to the Rays.

 Nottingham Panthers, who will have their biggest ever start to a season when they play in Europes CHL on August 22nd! They have added their final players: Colby Cohen and Martin Podlesak. Also another backup netminder, former Hull Stingray Martins Raitums. He will back up Craig Kowalski for the CHL, Dan Green will backup for EIHL. Their huge training camp has begun. Check the Panthers YouTube for interviews with their new players as they start their new journey on the CHL trail.

 Sheffield Steelers completed their roster adding Cullen Eddy, a former AHL d-man.

Sorry this is late, we hope to get back to normal ASAP!

A message

Hi hockey fans, I'm on holiday for the week which means EIHLFN will be inactive for the week. We may have another admin posting a bit, but they may not be able to, so we will probably be back on from next Saturday. See ya later!

We need you!

 

Hi guys! I'm on holiday next week which means I can't post news updates/articles etc, so I need someone to take over the blog whilst I'm gone. I'll be gone from tomorrow(Saturday 2nd August) at about 1:00pm to next Saturday (9th August). All you need to do is news updates and articles if you want to. You can become a permanent admin if you want too! E-mail letsgopanthers68@yahoo.co.uk if interested. Please get e-mails to me by Saturday August 2nd at about 10:30am!

Matt Keith joins the purple army

Braehead Clans 14th player to join the team for the upcoming season is Canadien (part Scottish!) forward Matt Keith. He has always wanted to play in Glasgow as he has family living there and has enjoyed  watching the Commonwealth games, which are in Glasgow. Playing there is Matt's delight!

 

He's played in some huge leagues during his 16 year career including the NHL wearing jerseys of the Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Islanders! This is a massive bonus, which looks promising! Number 8 will be his jersey number!