With the regular season only having three weeks left at the time of writing, teams are battling for positions in the end of season play-offs which culminate in the big party bonanza in the Lace City over the second weekend in April.
Who will make the final eight, and who will be on the golf course early. In this week's edition we look at the current match-ups as they stand and offer an analysis on them. Obviously anything can change, and probably will change as this is the unpredictable beast that is hockey. Read on then...
Match 1: Cardiff Devils (1st) v Dundee Stars (8th)
As it stands, we all know that Cardiff are the champions-elect. The singer is clearing her throat and preparing to crown the Welsh as this season's Monteith Bowl holders. They would be expected to overcome their potential opponents and make the final four; despite the Stars having had a very good run of form in recent weeks. However, could the Tayside team spring a huge surprise and dump Andrew Lord's team out. Would be amazing but something that is unlikely to happen.
Match 2: Belfast Giants (2nd) v Coventry Blaze (7th)
Of the four games this is one of the two which I feel could spring a shock. Whilst Giants are good on home ice, Blaze have an uncanny knack to turn it on when some people things the proverbial chips are down and there is no hope of them winning. We know that ourselves many a time when they have done a job on us and sent us tumbling whether it be at the quarter final stage or the actual Final itself. Derrick Walser will need to heed this, otherwise Blaze could upset the teal apple cart.
Match 3: Braehead Clan (3rd) v Fife Flyers (6th)
This is the other match up which I believe could cause a shock. Most people outside Braehead would think that Ryan Finnerty's Clan should take this and book their place in the final four. However, don't believe for nothing that this is a foregone conclusion as it is not. Fife have probably the stand-out EIHL rookie goaltender this season in Shane Owen who is probably destined for bigger and better things next season, plus two former Clan players in Brendan Brooks and Ric Jackman. Banana skin alert...
Match 4: Sheffield Steelers (4th) v Nottingham Panthers (5th)
Probably the quarter final that the EIHL didn't want to happen as it involves probably the two sides which have the largest support at POFW every season. One of them is bound to experience disappointment and it could go either way. Both teams are unpredictable to say the least so whoever makes the least amount of mistakes is bound to progress. It's probably the game that most will find damn hard to call. If there was ever a case of wanting to sit on the proverbial fence, this would be it.
So that's the analysis so far. We'll talk about them again once the match-ups are determined.
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