Glynn M
Ross Lambert
On leave until 25th Dec
Posts: 1,273
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Post by Glynn M on Apr 1, 2010 23:56:01 GMT
Okay guys we know our team have been rubbish this year but we will still be there. Granted it would have been better if the Steelers were there but so be it. To be honest they did not deserve to be there. Personally I think lots of our fans are still looking forward to watching some good hockey and enjoy the banther between all. However if the Steelers had gone through I am sure there would have been a lot more of us there as sometimes fans wait to see if their team makes it before they part with their hard earned cash. I am sure it was much the same with the Panthers and the other clubs fans. Anyway I am sure we will all enjoy the week-end what ever the results. May the best team Giants win! Absolutely spot on, I've not missed a finals weekend in many many years and will be there as ever to hopefully see some entertaining Play Off hockey. Although like the last time the Steelers weren't there I will once again be supporting the Belfast Giants....and as such I've edited your last point. ;D
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Post by bill238 on Apr 2, 2010 0:00:21 GMT
(Stick with me, there is a point and this is only my opinion) Rightly or wrongly, I do a lot of reading of TCF and not a lot of posting. I have done this now for 8 years. The forum subjects have become tiresome and boring and have been getting worse for a while now. The reason for this is that the league has become/is becoming tiresome and boring. (Of course not every single match). But in the whole, where is the action/ characters/ controversy. A few people are pro fighting, a few people are not. But all in all the gritty-aggressive character based hockey has gradually dissolved since the Super League days. Yes we have Bruce, yes Cardiff have Voth er, er, er yes Belfast had McMorrow, er, er, er who else? The league, challenge cup and playoffs are low budget nonsense that has stopped making me pay out my money, both home and away, week in week out because it has quite simply become boring. This post obviously isn't covering all angles and is a generalisation and isn't commenting on the practicalities of sustainability. But the point remains, Panthers fans have clung on to the "league win" fantasy so much because the good ol' ice hockey entertainment has gone and the EIHL is bland! Lee had a good set of points. Because of the lack of ice time and the "traditional" British season length, the EIHL is continuing to flog the dead horse that is the play off weekend . Why do so many other nations follow the North American formula of multi game playoffs? BECAUSE IT WORKS AND IT IS EXCITING! So why don't we cut the crap and slightly reduce the "league season length" but slightly extend the player contracts to enable at least a 3 games play off series (if not 5)? The money is shared around the league anyway, so why not? One weekend vs 5 sets of play offs (quarters, semis, final) erm, more money me thinks?!? Big it up on SKY and maybe, just maybe, instead of being different to the NHL et al, being the same, may not only attract new fans but also the ex pat North American population. Take aim and fire or agree - this is my (growing stronger) opinion! First of all there are other fighters in the league like sgroi and Bergin. Also you make a lot of statements like the league has become boring which obviously most people don't think as our attendances have risen once again. The season next year will be shorter and the playoffs will be longer if you actually kept up to date with the news. If the playoffs are so boring then why do thousands of fans turn up every year to see it and also you are the first person I have ever heard call the playoffs boring
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Glynn M
Ross Lambert
On leave until 25th Dec
Posts: 1,273
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Post by Glynn M on Apr 2, 2010 0:04:22 GMT
Yes we have Bruce, yes Cardiff have Voth er, er, er yes Belfast had McMorrow, er, er, er who else? Steelers have/had Sgori So why don't we cut the crap and slightly reduce the "league season length" but slightly extend the player contracts to enable at least a 3 games play off series (if not 5)? Have you not read the news in the last month or so about next season having extended Play Off's? It's not going to be 3 game series, but it's almost certainly going to be a tougher and hopefully more entertaining format.
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Post by carolle on Apr 2, 2010 7:26:16 GMT
Theres alot of OAP supporters and they just can`t afford the cost of the tickets.
My parents are season ticket holders, but the cost of 2 weekend tickets goes along way to paying for 1 season ticket for next year.
My dad is 90 this year and its a big difference it being able to get in and out for 1 game compared to getting about the building for a whole weekend.
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Post by Sven is a Panther on Apr 2, 2010 7:55:37 GMT
Sven. If your that gutted,don't go to the Notts game.....simple. There are a few Notts games left, but there's only one "play off weekend". If it wasn't such a big game I would miss it. I could have potentially had a superb day hockey then footy then hockey.....what a dream!
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Post by Sven is a Panther on Apr 2, 2010 7:57:21 GMT
Sven. If your that gutted,don't go to the Notts game.....simple. There are a few Notts games left, but there's only one "play off weekend". Exactly, i'm a Notts season ticket holder and i'm giving the Bury game a miss to attend the Play-Offs. Although win or lose, i'll be nursing a pretty damn big hangover at the Shrewsbury away game on Easter Monday! I can't give up my season ticket for this game to big a match mate! If the timings had been just slightly different I could have made the whole day! I'll give em a shout for ya! YOU PIES!!!
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Doom
Greg Hadden
Posts: 1,591
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Post by Doom on Apr 2, 2010 7:59:41 GMT
In recent years the semi finals have more or less sold out, but this year I can see it falling about 500 short of capacity. It's not the sort of event that you'll get many walk-ups on the day, so I guess what's been sold now is likely to be the number that's there tomorrow. Why so many empty spaces this season? - I'd suggest there are a number of reasons: 1. Traditionally it's the Steelers and Panthers who sell the most tickets, but with the Steelers being so poor this season a lot of our supporters haven't bought their tickets in advance like they have in the past. 2. It's the Easter weekend, so maybe quite a few people have other commitments. This is probably another reason why Steelers supporters haven't bought tickets in advance. 3. No Basingstoke and Manchester this season - Manchester on their own usually bring about 300 supporters to this event, so their loss is going to hit the attendance quite hard. I will be there as usual, heading down Saturday morning on the train in time for a nice big Wetherspoons breakfast in Nottingham and copious quantities of real ale. ;D No doubt as usual we'll head for the Red Hot buffet in the Evening, get there to find it's full (as usual) and end up heading for a Chinese buffet. Sunday of course is Hooters day. Bring on the play-offs.....Even if my team couldn't be bothered to attend I'll still enjoy the weekend. Regards Doom
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Kev46
Pat Casey
Posts: 251
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Post by Kev46 on Apr 2, 2010 8:10:47 GMT
Well I went down and got my tickets today (Thursday) at 12:30, There were still even tickets left for block 13 at the back. I opted for a weekender in block 11 (Newcastle), same seat both days. I was undecided wether to go or not due to Sheffield bore feast last year. We're sat in block 11 near the front aswell, so you'll not be alone !
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Silas
Jade Galbraith
...and the world is mine, all mine!
Posts: 158
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Post by Silas on Apr 2, 2010 8:11:39 GMT
Yes we have Bruce, yes Cardiff have Voth er, er, er yes Belfast had McMorrow, er, er, er who else? Steelers have/had Sgori So why don't we cut the crap and slightly reduce the "league season length" but slightly extend the player contracts to enable at least a 3 games play off series (if not 5)? Have you not read the news in the last month or so about next season having extended Play Off's? It's not going to be 3 game series, but it's almost certainly going to be a tougher and hopefully more entertaining format. Glyn, I must admit, I missed that one. I must have been on holiday. In general response, I did say I was generalising. I have always enjoyed the playoff weekend, but a little less every year. Especially when they stopped using the other rink as an event area. If by general opinion I am wrong, then fair enough. But I think the league is a little drab and needs spicing up. Not just with enforcers though. Easy to say- difficult to do. Have a splendid playoff weekend regardless! PS. don't take offense, but didn't Sgroi turn out to be a bit of a disappointment?
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Glynn M
Ross Lambert
On leave until 25th Dec
Posts: 1,273
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Post by Glynn M on Apr 2, 2010 9:55:27 GMT
Glyn, I must admit, I missed that one. I must have been on holiday. In general response, I did say I was generalising. I have always enjoyed the playoff weekend, but a little less every year. Especially when they stopped using the other rink as an event area. If by general opinion I am wrong, then fair enough. But I think the league is a little drab and needs spicing up. Not just with enforcers though. Easy to say- difficult to do. Have a splendid playoff weekend regardless! PS. don't take offense, but didn't Sgroi turn out to be a bit of a disappointment? I get your generalisation, and understand that the EIHL has a lot of things it needs to improve but I wouldn't say it's drab more or less than it's been since it's inception. Maybe a few more stand out players would help a little but the only way to improve imo is to increase the quality of imports and the money to do that doesn't seem to have been there, or been used on the right players. If all teams had the budget to run benches of 20/22 players where a 4th line could be used then it'd be great, but even then the coaches would probably just stick to using their key 2 or 3 lines for much of the games unless there was something in place to stop them shortening their benches. As for Sgroi, I have to admit he was a bit of a dissapointment, BUT thats only because he was too Nice in a couple of games when he could have taken liberties like Voth and a few others do to try and force reaction from the oppostion. If he'd fought a few more people, such as Voth, D'Amour, Neilson, Bergin, Finnerty and some of the other Steelers irritators then I'd have been marginally more happier with his contribution, HOWEVER overall I thought his presence on our team (deterrant to other team's cheap shotters) and his contribution points wise was considerably better than myself or anyone expected! Hope the Play Off weekend is as entertaining as Mike Sgroi was...everyone have a good weekend.
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Post by spik on Apr 2, 2010 15:13:58 GMT
I'd certainly vote for a 3 game series just to add some spice to an already ventured round robin style in the Challenge Cup. So the CC needs to be just that, the league shorter as we are having it AND a Po that is something akin to not just being another table affair.
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Post by Fraggle on Apr 2, 2010 21:06:07 GMT
I've been to plenty of play off weekends - whether Panthers were there or not but I'm not going this year. The play off weekend has been watered down every year for a while now, in my opinion. Now it's at an all time low with every team qualifying for play offs and then only having to play 1 team to get to the playoff finals weekend, it kinda makes a mockery of it. It's def not the big prize it should be.
Thank God that's changing for next year with a better/more testing play off format leading to the weekend.
Couple the improved play off format with more stuff actually at the finals weekend - stalls, competitions etc, hopefully it will be a bigger event again.
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Kadie
Robert Lachowicz
Mr Flibbles Very Cross...
Posts: 541
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Post by Kadie on Apr 2, 2010 21:59:41 GMT
I've been to plenty of play off weekends - whether Panthers were there or not but I'm not going this year. The play off weekend has been watered down every year for a while now, in my opinion. Now it's at an all time low with every team qualifying for play offs and then only having to play 1 team to get to the playoff finals weekend, it kinda makes a mockery of it. It's def not the big prize it should be. Thank God that's changing for next year with a better/more testing play off format leading to the weekend. Couple the improved play off format with more stuff actually at the finals weekend - stalls, competitions etc, hopefully it will be a bigger event again. I agree with everything you've said....but I'm still going and can't wait either!! To me its the highlight of the hockey calendar where fans from all over the country descend on Nottingham for the weekend for one reason...ice hockey (well two if you include the beer ). Not only do I want to be there to support Panthers (& I've been there when we haven't made it too) and to have fun with friends but theres just such a good vibe I wouldn't want to miss - I love it! ;D
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Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
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Post by Shaggy on Apr 2, 2010 23:02:13 GMT
I've been to plenty of play off weekends - whether Panthers were there or not but I'm not going this year. The play off weekend has been watered down every year for a while now, in my opinion. Now it's at an all time low with every team qualifying for play offs and then only having to play 1 team to get to the playoff finals weekend, it kinda makes a mockery of it. It's def not the big prize it should be. Thank God that's changing for next year with a better/more testing play off format leading to the weekend. Couple the improved play off format with more stuff actually at the finals weekend - stalls, competitions etc, hopefully it will be a bigger event again. Hard to argue with any of that... I'm still going, but quite frankly - it's been a poor show for some years now. Naff-all in the way of off-ice entertainment, poor organisation of what little there is (sticking stalls in the too-narrow concourse, etc... talk about a health & safety risk!) and as you say... so small a lead-in to the weekend, it barely qualifies for the title of 'play-offs'. From the sounds of it, the lead-in sounds better next season... but sadly I'm not confident about the weekend itself being anything more special. Quite frankly, the EIHL don't seem to give a toss. Unless they actually make a serious effort (yeah, right!) then I think the weekend will continue to be enjoyable only in spite of what the EIHL do, not because of it.
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Post by steelers1 on Apr 3, 2010 18:57:17 GMT
Well I went down and got my tickets today (Thursday) at 12:30, There were still even tickets left for block 13 at the back. I opted for a weekender in block 11 (Newcastle), same seat both days. I was undecided wether to go or not due to Sheffield bore feast last year. Just imagine what it would be like being a poor blue seat in the house of tin, they have to watch it all year... and this year they were crap on top of being boring.... not easy being one of them you know now what crap is it the Panthers not in a final again ha ha
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Post by Block 10 on Apr 3, 2010 19:54:46 GMT
Just imagine what it would be like being a poor blue seat in the house of tin, they have to watch it all year... and this year they were crap on top of being boring.... not easy being one of them you know now what crap is it the Panthers not in a final again ha ha We don't know how it feels not to be there, please, remind us...
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Post by findevious on Apr 4, 2010 11:58:32 GMT
Well that quiet surprised me at how many empty seats there were. I think it'll be even worst for the final today.
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Post by Heanor Lair on Apr 4, 2010 12:05:45 GMT
Panthers blocks will be sold out, so it's not our fan base that needs to be answering this question. Wasn't that the original question? Panthers average 3750 for the league games, why are there not 3500 (I'm being kind to away fans there) Panthers fans attending? TBH with you Chris I put my money towards a season ticket and away trips. Always make at least one visit to Belfast and will certainly do a trip to Edinburgh and Braehead. The EIHL can kiss goodbye to £75 off me Im afraid irrespective of whether Panthers play in the Play offs or not. HL
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Post by steelers1 on Apr 4, 2010 12:12:21 GMT
you know now what crap is it the Panthers not in a final again ha ha We don't know how it feels not to be there, please, remind us... you might be there but where is your team they on a plane out of there ha ha
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Post by Block 10 on Apr 4, 2010 12:16:52 GMT
We don't know how it feels not to be there, please, remind us... you might be there but where is your team they on a plane out of there ha ha And your 'team' are on the golf course. wee wee off troll.
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Post by steelers1 on Apr 5, 2010 14:45:04 GMT
you might be there but where is your team they on a plane out of there ha ha And your 'team' are on the golf course. wee off troll. yep but will you ever win the league no i dont think but theres allways next year ? not 54 yrs and counting ha ha
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Post by idontbeleiveit on Apr 5, 2010 15:14:21 GMT
Apart from not being able to spell, "allways" Please a steeler being able to count to 54 !!Don't make me laugh. Try this eslus.com/discovery/spelling1.pdf might give you something to do
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Post by bertmonkey on Apr 5, 2010 15:33:13 GMT
Apart from not being able to spell, "allways" Please a steeler being able to count to 54 !!Don't make me laugh. Try this eslus.com/discovery/spelling1.pdf might give you something to do You might want to check your spelling of beleive (believe)...unless of course it's a deliberate mistake.
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Post by pantherdman on Apr 5, 2010 16:43:02 GMT
Anyways.... I found alot of peope out on the town were intrested in what was going on, asking about the scores, who won, etc. It was just that they were completely unaware that it was happening, so were most of the bars (bar Castle and Bunkers, who made a mint). The event could be so much bigger.
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Walter
Lorne Smith
Bunch of Dumb Asses
Posts: 666
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Post by Walter on Apr 5, 2010 20:01:57 GMT
Anyways.... I found alot of peope out on the town were intrested in what was going on, asking about the scores, who won, etc. It was just that they were completely unaware that it was happening, so were most of the bars (bar Castle and Bunkers, who made a mint). The event could be so much bigger. Me and the wife got asked by another couple "where is the Rugby taking place", while they were admiring our shirts . When we told them it was the Ice Hockey Play-off weekend, they replied " Why has Nottingham got an ice hockey team" . Please no witty response from the Steeler quarter........Oh! go on then. ;D
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