We've got a Cup Semi but a League Flop - Five things I learnt w/e 27 November

There were three games played since last weekend, but only one mattered, and that one ended up with more referee controversy and another disappointing result. More down than up in this week's five things:

1. Cardiff champions elect already - It's a bit early to throw in any towels, but if we can't beat them, we can't put too much hope in anyone else doing it for us. Lost two at home and one away in league so far - we've played well, we haven't had the puck bounce, but it's points and not performances that win prizes. With their new rink, and increased player budgets, they were always going to be a tough opponent - and it seems Lord has got a great spirit in that group, and keeping himself on the ice and Bordy off it is reaping rewards. 
2. Schmejkal - With the Hagos incident last weekend, and the cloud of controversy in Cardiff this week, I think we can conclude that Jan's match craft isn't where we need it to be. If the players had any respect for him, I think that has dissipated, and I fear they will increasingly take it into their own hands in his next game. The lad needs help not hanging out to dry - get in quick before he's destroyed Mr Kirkham - and thank god he's not on Twitter. 
3. Valdix and Hagos out - After only having about five minutes with the team being back to full strength, we've lost another two to injury. Both courtesy of Belfast. The obvious solution to losing two forwards is obviously to bring in an attack minded defensemen such as Jace Coyle. Bizarre but true, and I guess we should be glad we've still got three solid enough lines, which should be enough against most teams other than Cardiff. 
4. Liam Kirk - Two goals in his debut season, after less than 20 minutes combined ice time. That must be the best goal:shift ratio in the league! We can look forward to seeing him flourish. 
5. Cup semifinal - in the games we didn't care about we got a draw and an easy win. If the semifinal is on the season ticket I may bother watching it.

One final thought to leave you with is how will we run an eleven team league next year? I half expected the last EIHL board meeting to drop a few hints, but after radio silence we will have to guess. So i'll start - to even out the games, whilst keeping the two conferences my guess is we'll make the cup and league groupings the same and have some doubled up cup/league games in the larger group, and MK and Belfast will join the Erdhart for Cup and League. Any better guesses - maybe MK to Erdhart and Belfast to Gardiner as an alternate?

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