Thank you to Tony
for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any
queries you can contact Tony on Twitter @DISGU15ED
In the week of the Champions Hockey League (CHL) group stage draw, here's five things we're been learning about the teams coming to the UK this summer.
1> Frolunda Gothenburg (SWE) - The Indians were ranked thirteenth in the draw, the highest ranking possible as they won neither the league nor playoffs last year. They did however finish second in the league and only fell to Vaxjo (more about them later) in the playoff semifinal. They also boast the highest home attendance in the SHL every year, and with over 10,000 at every game are in the top five supported teams across Europe. No mugs then.
2> JYP Jyvaskyla (FIN) - A ranking of 20th doesn't really do justice to the Liiga playoff's bronze medalists as they also finished a strong fourth in the league. Their arena only holds 4,500, but as Jyvaskyla is a four hour bus ride north of Helsinki I guess they don't expect too many away fans! We've got more chance of beating them at rallying.
3> Vaxjo Lakers (SWE) - Current SHL playoff champions and top ranked team in the CHL draw. Like Braehead they're a relatively young team in the top league, but unlike Braehead they held on for their first title last year. Get your flags ready as the Orange and Blue army and their Scottish dual national Liam Reddox head for Glasgow.
4> ERC Ingolstadt (GER) - A surprise winner of the DEL playoffs in 13/14. They finished a healthy 4th in the league last year, and almost held on to their title after going up 2:1 in their best of seven playoff finals this year before eventually losing to Mannheim. Jeff Szwez formerly of Belfast played for the Panthers last year.
5> Game dates - the six group games are due to be played over three consecutive Thurs-Sun long weekends at the end of August / early September. So the first game could be 20 Aug and the last could be 6 September, and as I can't find any other events listed at the Arena, I'm hopeful we'll get some nice Fri/Sat evening dates.
Chances of progression for the GB clubs are about one in a million as we're ranked 42 and 46 out of 48 for good reason. It would be a massive shock if either club could even repeat Nottingham's feat of winning one CHL game - but it's unmissable as it will be the best hockey ever played at either Arena. I can't wait.
Get to Ice Sheffield on 15/16 August to see GB's two entrants in pre-season preparation.
Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
In the week of the Champions Hockey League (CHL) group stage draw, here's five things we're been learning about the teams coming to the UK this summer.
1> Frolunda Gothenburg (SWE) - The Indians were ranked thirteenth in the draw, the highest ranking possible as they won neither the league nor playoffs last year. They did however finish second in the league and only fell to Vaxjo (more about them later) in the playoff semifinal. They also boast the highest home attendance in the SHL every year, and with over 10,000 at every game are in the top five supported teams across Europe. No mugs then.
2> JYP Jyvaskyla (FIN) - A ranking of 20th doesn't really do justice to the Liiga playoff's bronze medalists as they also finished a strong fourth in the league. Their arena only holds 4,500, but as Jyvaskyla is a four hour bus ride north of Helsinki I guess they don't expect too many away fans! We've got more chance of beating them at rallying.
3> Vaxjo Lakers (SWE) - Current SHL playoff champions and top ranked team in the CHL draw. Like Braehead they're a relatively young team in the top league, but unlike Braehead they held on for their first title last year. Get your flags ready as the Orange and Blue army and their Scottish dual national Liam Reddox head for Glasgow.
4> ERC Ingolstadt (GER) - A surprise winner of the DEL playoffs in 13/14. They finished a healthy 4th in the league last year, and almost held on to their title after going up 2:1 in their best of seven playoff finals this year before eventually losing to Mannheim. Jeff Szwez formerly of Belfast played for the Panthers last year.
5> Game dates - the six group games are due to be played over three consecutive Thurs-Sun long weekends at the end of August / early September. So the first game could be 20 Aug and the last could be 6 September, and as I can't find any other events listed at the Arena, I'm hopeful we'll get some nice Fri/Sat evening dates.
Chances of progression for the GB clubs are about one in a million as we're ranked 42 and 46 out of 48 for good reason. It would be a massive shock if either club could even repeat Nottingham's feat of winning one CHL game - but it's unmissable as it will be the best hockey ever played at either Arena. I can't wait.
Get to Ice Sheffield on 15/16 August to see GB's two entrants in pre-season preparation.
Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@TomWalkeden
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@RatedRDG
Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com
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