Elite Report: Week 3 Preview

Third week of the season and a full programme of action. All teams are in action whether it be League, Challenge Cup or even in one match: a combination of both. This is where the real stuff starts as far as I am concerned.  Let's look ahead to them, are you with me?

Whilst we are in action at Coventry, we have these games:

Braehead Clan v Manchester Storm   - LEAGUE

Clan will be hurting, they will be hurting. They have not had the best starts of the season and for a potential title winner that's going to sting. Wins are needed, and needed quickly, to get the confidence back in the camp. Storm though will fancy their chances on the road, don't doubt that. It could be a close one.

Verdict: Clan regulation.

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils   - LEAGUE/CHALLENGE CUP

In an interesting encounter, Panthers play Devils as a combined Challenge Cup and Elite League game. Both counting for their respective competitions that is. It could be a game that lays down a marker for each team. Panthers will be looking to bounce back, Devils will look to build on Sunday's win against Braehead. Again it could be close.

Verdict: Panthers in overtime.

Belfast Giants v Edinburgh Capitals    - CHALLENGE CUP

Regardless of whether Travis Fullerton has arrived or the back up is playing again, Giants should win this one. If it's the latter then it could be a very hard evening at the SSE Arena for Michal Dobron's men, they shipped eight at home to Dundee last Sunday: it could be the same. Not disrespecting you Caps but this definitely has the home banker written on it.

Verdict: Giants regulation.

Fife Flyers v Dundee Stars    - CHALLENGE CUP

Saturday's final game is an absolute rocket and appetiser shall we say. It's the derby between Fife and Dundee; and the hosts will be hoping to build on their very decent start. They've really had a Flyer so to speak but Dundee have some good quality in their ranks too. It could be a win for each other quite easily; one's going to be upset in the end.

Verdict: Dundee regulation...just!         

Now onto Sunday, and apologies for the length of this piece. 

Cardiff Devils v Fife Flyers    - LEAGUE

They have had a bump in the road last weekend at Manchester, but seriously do you expect Cardiff to come unstuck in Ice Arena Wales against the Flyers? Come on, do you?  I certainly don't think they will, and despite Fife having a good result against the Panthers, Devils will hold too many aces for Todd Dutuiame's men. It will be a convincing win.

Verdict: Devils regulation.

Manchester Storm v Coventry Blaze    - CHALLENGE CUP

This could be an interesting one to call to be honest. Manchester have been rebuilt and are a much much better side than they were 12 months ago, and to be honest so are Coventry under Danny Stewart. It might all depend on which side takes their chances the most, and I wouldn't be shocked if it went beyond 60 minutes. If ever a draw could be chosen, this would be it.

Verdict: Blaze in overtime.    

Edinburgh Capitals v Braehead Clan   - CHALLENGE CUP

The chances of the Capitals winning this one depend purely if Fullerton has arrived in the country, because apparently he's now got his visa and awaiting his passport. If he hasn't, Braehead will win this one. If he's there, Clan might have a bit of blockade to deal with - a former man in purple. The trip back down the A8 is going to be happy and Finner might just crack open a smile.

Verdict: Clan regulation.

Dundee Stars v Belfast Giants    - CHALLENGE CUP

And finally, the preview of the last game of week three. This, like the Manchester-Coventry game, go either way. Both have the ability to win and win well if their "A" game is in place. Dundee will be keen to impress and a home loss to Panthers, means redemption is in mind. Giants will be looking to improve under Walser. See what I mean about a tough decision?

Verdict: Stars regulation.


That therefore concludes my preview of week number three. How do you see the games going?
        

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Predictions for new season ahead

Thank you to Tony for this contribution to FSB. All credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Tony on Twitter at @DISGU15ED

Tony has come up with a challenge, one that we think will test us all. Do you think you know the Elite League as good as you reckon you do? How about predicting the standings of this season's EIHL at the end of the season. Who will get their hands on the Monteith Bowl? Who will miss out on the end of season final eight?

This is what Tony thinks:

League Champions : Braehead Clan - don't think they'll end up with the best win % but the statistically weaker conference fixtures will give them enough points. They might get a point or two in the CHL too if a few breaks go their way.

Runners-Up : Belfast - much as I don't think that Forney will score as well as he did last year, their new coaching regime and their refusal to accept another mid-table season will prove enough to top the Erhardt.
 
Third : Cardiff - if they were to stay in the BBT all season then I'd put them closer to the title, but can't help but think that the new surroundings will hurt them as it will remove their massive home advantage.

Fourth : Sheffield - I hope this is being pessimistic but we need another huge season from our first line to repeat in the league, and I'm not sure our net minder will last the season. This might be a consolidation year for Thommo, and a step towards greater things in the future.

Fifth : Coventry - I saw what happened in the second half of last year, and heard the hype, but was there really such a revolution? Narrow wins in the play-offs were great but the reported gulf in finances from the Arena teams will make repeating those tricks hard if the going gets tough.

Sixth : Edinburgh - with Emmo at the helm and a new wave of optimism running through Murrayfield then they should have enough to get good points from their conference games, especially as the Erhardt teams beat each other up all year long.

Seventh : Nottingham - and they should consider themselves lucky I put them that high.

Eight : Dundee - think MLF will do enough to make the play-offs, and will have the beating of Manchester and Fife to help rack up the points, but the rebuild doesn't convince me that they will compete just yet.

Missing out on the play-offs : Manchester and Fife - Much as I love the way the Storm are going about their fan engagement they will struggle with consistency in their first year, and will finish bottom unless their Goalie is an unexpected stud. Fife seem to be content with mediocrity and with no new coaching ideas I don't see why they will improve on last year, whilst others will.



Cups and Play-offs will be a lottery as per previous years, but I think the Erhardt teams will share the prizes, here's hoping that the Steelers get the Cup at the Motorpoint and the Panthers make the playoffs and win at the NIC - only joking, I'll give the playoffs to the Giants.

I'll be giving my predictions in the next few days, let us know yours too.

Mark

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