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Got home and stuck on the 'nucks Flames game.  After a crappy start to the month we're now 5 games unbeaten and a goal up after 5 minutes right now 

Having a stormer aren't you - overtaken St Louis and in with a chance of Presidents' Trophy now - good work! And we've got to play you again, ****!
 
Ah well, last week of the regular season and then into the playoffs - excited much?! Flyers - Pens will be a brutal series if they end up meeting!

Aaah nice little win by the Rangers over the Flyers there to clinch the Eastern conference, yeah. Feels pretty good. 2 to go and then it's playoffs baby!!
 
Check out my latest NHL debate if you have a chance and are interested - this time, who are your three key players for a successful playoff side? http://www.ukamericansportsfans.com/three-is-the-magic-number

Any EPL fans? 

Not in here at the moment buddy, think there was one a while back... I'm an EIHL enthusiast myself although a supporter of British hockey in general. Who's your team?

Raufera7

Any EPL fans? 

 
ENL South 1 if that counts - Romford Raiders (who are just down the road from me) have just won the league and I'm going to try and make a few play off games.

They're showing the elite league grand finals on sky which is good coverage, too bad the commentator knows pretty much nothing about it and has no ice hockey experience.

MK lightning fan here. Finished 5th in the league which was disappointing seeing as one point we looked to be title contenders. But had a bad run of form. Facing slough in the playoffs to get to Coventry which will be a tight game. Our main problem is that we don't have that import scorer which all the top teams do.

I remember romford when they were in the EPL!

It certainly is great coverage, only 3 live Sky games outside of that this year which was a bit disappointing. Do you mean Chris Ellis or Simmsey? I have my issues with both!
 
Ah an MK fan, I have a couple of those on my Twitter feed, I enjoy the whole UK hockey community banter, tis good. Sounds like a difficult match-up to get to the playoff finals, will you go to Coventry if you make it? I'm off to Nottingham this weekend, don't support a team this year (used to be Newcastle Vipers) but love it nonetheless.
 
Hi Kieran!! Hope you enjoy it if you make it to Romford!

ktdude

It certainly is great coverage, only 3 live Sky games outside of that this year which was a bit disappointing. Do you mean Chris Ellis or Simmsey? I have my issues with both!

Ah an MK fan, I have a couple of those on my Twitter feed, I enjoy the whole UK hockey community banter, tis good. Sounds like a difficult match-up to get to the playoff finals, will you go to Coventry if you make it? I'm off to Nottingham this weekend, don't support a team this year (used to be Newcastle Vipers) but love it nonetheless.

Hi Kieran!! Hope you enjoy it if you make it to Romford!

 
Simmsey. Literally all MK fans have an issue with him. He personally attacked one of our players, saying it was against the code of Ice Hockey to lure Sir Tony Hand into a fight and therefore gain a powerplay...See, surely that's a good tactic? Tony Hand is an assist machine in this league, remove him from the game for a couple of minutes is certainly helpful for the team isn't it? 
 
Haha, did you see the banter between us and Sheffield? If we meet them I'm sure it'll be one hell of a game. It's because we don't like one particular player on their team, not sure if you'll remember a certain Andre Payette?  
 
Yeah if we get through, we're likely to be playing the league champions Guildford at Coventry in the semi finals. I really think Guildford should go elite though with the money they've got, but I guess they prefer to be the big fish in the small pond.  

Oh I see - yes Simmsey certainly does kiss some ass where Hand is concerned, and other senior Brits. Tactically that totally makes sense of course. He has a tendency to disparage any club that doesn't fit with his 'big club' ethic.
 
Haha I'm a relatively new fan but I know all about Payette, I've been educated! He wasn't popular as a player outside of Newcastle but sure is doing a fine job as a coach and appears to have calmed down a lot based on some of the terrible tales I've heard about his behaviour both on and off the ice!
 
Guildford, more ex-Vipers, you're spot on, they do like being the big fish in the small pond, it's frustrating not just from other EPL teams' point of view but for mid to lower EIHL teams point of view too; they can't attract the best Brits because of the money Guildford are offering, crazy that players don't want to play in the top league but there you go, money talks in all sport!

Carn The Crow

Raufera7

Any EPL fans? 

ENL South 1 if that counts - Romford Raiders (who are just down the road from me) have just won the league and I'm going to try and make a few play off games.

I keep meaning to go to a game with you!

ktdude

Oh I see - yes Simmsey certainly does kiss some ass where Hand is concerned, and other senior Brits. Tactically that totally makes sense of course. He has a tendency to disparage any club that doesn't fit with his 'big club' ethic.

Haha I'm a relatively new fan but I know all about Payette, I've been educated! He wasn't popular as a player outside of Newcastle but sure is doing a fine job as a coach and appears to have calmed down a lot based on some of the terrible tales I've heard about his behaviour both on and off the ice!

Guildford, more ex-Vipers, you're spot on, they do like being the big fish in the small pond, it's frustrating not just from other EPL teams' point of view but for mid to lower EIHL teams point of view too; they can't attract the best Brits because of the money Guildford are offering, crazy that players don't want to play in the top league but there you go, money talks in all sport!

 
It would seem that you haven't heard his antics in the EPL either then. When he beat our team he done a big speech after the game just to rub it in, threatens one of our players on Facebook after a clean check resulted him not being able to ice, this was a result of his head hitting the boards. And laughs at our coach (Nick Poole, who I assume is widely respected?) when he offers him a handshake after the game and skates off. Aggressive style of play in the EPL which many teams don't like. Yes he's an awesome coach, that's clear with what he's doing with Sheffield, but I'm not a fan. He is box office though. 

Definitely with Guildford! Although MK have forme elite like Leigh Jamieson, and who I would consider to be the best import D in the league; Lucas Zatopek. Like I really enjoy playing Guildford as our games are amazing, but it's just not right how much money they've got in the league. Arguably the same could be said for Manchester? Guildford's roster is ridiculous though, Greg Chambers left Coventry to join them, and Campbell from Vipers (Who is a very very good player imo)...I wonder why  

david123

Carn The Crow

Raufera7

Any EPL fans? 

ENL South 1 if that counts - Romford Raiders (who are just down the road from me) have just won the league and I'm going to try and make a few play off games.

I keep meaning to go to a game with you!

 
First play off game's this Sunday against MK Thunder but I'm down in Portsmouth. Should be a win for Romford given that we've beaten them 7-0, 9-0, 11-1 and 6-3 already this season, but there's always the chance of an upset. If we get through we can perhaps look at going to the next home game?

Be stunned if you guys didn't beat Thunder. Do sort of feel sorry for Thunder as they literally have no backers, and most of the best players get called up to Lightning. But then again Steelers lost didn't they in the play-offs? 

True dat. I've felt quite sorry for the Thunder as well - were supposed to be playing them at MK in the First Leg on Saturday, but they couldn't secure home ice so the EIHA awarded the game as a 0-0 tie. Means the tie will now be over a single leg at Romford, which gives them even more of an uphill struggle.

Raufera7
It would seem that you haven't heard his antics in the EPL either then. When he beat our team he done a big speech after the game just to rub it in, threatens one of our players on Facebook after a clean check resulted him not being able to ice, this was a result of his head hitting the boards. And laughs at our coach (Nick Poole, who I assume is widely respected?) when he offers him a handshake after the game and skates off. Aggressive style of play in the EPL which many teams don't like. Yes he's an awesome coach, that's clear with what he's doing with Sheffield, but I'm not a fan. He is box office though. 

Definitely with Guildford! Although MK have forme elite like Leigh Jamieson, and who I would consider to be the best import D in the league; Lucas Zatopek. Like I really enjoy playing Guildford as our games are amazing, but it's just not right how much money they've got in the league. Arguably the same could be said for Manchester? Guildford's roster is ridiculous though, Greg Chambers left Coventry to join them, and Campbell from Vipers (Who is a very very good player imo)...I wonder why  

No I hadn't heard that stuff about him at Sheffield - I tend to hear a very tainted view of him as I'm friends with some really big fans of his, also know plenty of people who know about both sides having had to deal with him at his worst.
 
Yes Manchester and Guildford are a step ahead budget-wise and player-wise, just had a look at Guildford's roster out of interest, amazing how many ex-Vipers there are. And Curtis Huppe from Belfast/Manchester, Andrew Sharp...
 
Re: Steelers, that was a crazy turn of events. Sacking Colt King that close to playoffs was a suicide move from Finnerty regardless of whether or not the two had issues, totally de-stabilised them and Hull totally bowled them over with confidence.
 
Can't wait for the playoff weekend - 2 sleeps to go!

ktdude

Raufera7
It would seem that you haven't heard his antics in the EPL either then. When he beat our team he done a big speech after the game just to rub it in, threatens one of our players on Facebook after a clean check resulted him not being able to ice, this was a result of his head hitting the boards. And laughs at our coach (Nick Poole, who I assume is widely respected?) when he offers him a handshake after the game and skates off. Aggressive style of play in the EPL which many teams don't like. Yes he's an awesome coach, that's clear with what he's doing with Sheffield, but I'm not a fan. He is box office though. 

Definitely with Guildford! Although MK have forme elite like Leigh Jamieson, and who I would consider to be the best import D in the league; Lucas Zatopek. Like I really enjoy playing Guildford as our games are amazing, but it's just not right how much money they've got in the league. Arguably the same could be said for Manchester? Guildford's roster is ridiculous though, Greg Chambers left Coventry to join them, and Campbell from Vipers (Who is a very very good player imo)...I wonder why  

No I hadn't heard that stuff about him at Sheffield - I tend to hear a very tainted view of him as I'm friends with some really big fans of his, also know plenty of people who know about both sides having had to deal with him at his worst.

Yes Manchester and Guildford are a step ahead budget-wise and player-wise, just had a look at Guildford's roster out of interest, amazing how many ex-Vipers there are. And Curtis Huppe from Belfast/Manchester, Andrew Sharp...

Re: Steelers, that was a crazy turn of events. Sacking Colt King that close to playoffs was a suicide move from Finnerty regardless of whether or not the two had issues, totally de-stabilised them and Hull totally bowled them over with confidence.

Can't wait for the playoff weekend - 2 sleeps to go!

To be fair to him, I'd give him coach of the year, I just don't like his antics. However, they have got a certain Janice Ozolins who is an absolute amazing import. I'm surprised none of the elite teams have gone for him yet, but he is a little small. As long as nobody goes near Mr Zatopek I'm happy, but Elite teams always go for him in the summer. 
 
Andrew Sharp  I wouldn't use him as a support for a good player . He tries to fight in our league but only person who would be interested I imagine would be Payette nobody else would even dare to. 
 
Crazy stuff ain't it? I'd prefer it though if the play-offs were in group stages like a couple of years ago, made it better I felt. 
 
Coventry next weekend. Would love it if we got there, best fans in the league. Kind of going to my game with a heavy heart though this weekend, as it'll be the last time for a long long time before I see another MK game as I'm going to Uni, why I want us to get to Coventry so bad just for one more week. 

Lancashire Hawks fan here, and Sheffield, as I'll be damned if I support a Manchester team

On another note, fantastic couple of games for Jake Gardiner for  my Leafs, leads the NHL in rookie Defencemen, maybe what we needed, a pointscoring D-Man to accompany Schenn and Phanuef.

Stammers is only 1 away from 60

the only Leafs that are safe from trades: Reimer, Schenn, Phaneuf, JML, Grabovski, Kessel and Lupul

we need to axe Komisarek, Armstrong and Kulemin, give the "A's" to Grabovski and Kessel/JML/Lupul

Stammers gets 60!

First player to get 60 and not playoffs since our GM. Spooky.

10th this season is a little disappointing, we have enough there to get into the playoffs but our D just didn't perform this season. We have a lot of draft picks now, so our preseason will hopefully be a busy one. I am quite confident if getting playoffs next year with the new league structure.

Now I need to pick a team for the playoffs.

We finished with the President's trophy again which i wasn't expecting after a very wobbly march. 'nucks v Kings in round 1, can't say i'm that worried about L.A given how poorly they ended the season and how strongly we did.

I'm going to Say Penguins Vs Vancouver for the finals

if Malkin stays fit, or Vancouver **** it up again, Penguins for the cup 

the 2 strongest teams in the league, with Detroit, San Jose, NYR and for some reason the Blues trailing behind