POFW final four

[ashfieldpanther]

Prediction time
Belfast v Glasgow - got to go with Belfast. chance of upset ? less than 10%
Guilford v Panthers - sadly, i'll have to say Flames. Chance of upset ? Can Panthers play 6 solid periods without giving away the 3 or 4 goals like we know they can, which could decide the match. If they can be solid then maybe 25% chance of getting through.
Steelers v Manchester - think Steelers will be too strong, as they don't play badly two games running and have a match winning goalie. But Manchester are solid and in Deluca have a goalscorer with something to prove. Chance of upset ? 25%
Devils v Blaze - too close to call what the upset would be, chance of Blaze winning is 50/50, could come down to goal tending, if Bowns or Holsa play hot for two games that could decide it.

[Discoray]

How did Fife get in? Did we get disqualified somehow? (Wouldn't shock me!)

[kievthegreat]

Apr 4, 2023 12:16:55 GMT Discoray said:

How did Fife get in? Did we get disqualified somehow? (Wouldn't shock me!)

EIHL decided you'd suffered enough this year and put you out of your misery. Don't worry, we won't be far behind!

[ashfieldpanther]

Apr 4, 2023 12:16:55 GMT Discoray said:

How did Fife get in? Did we get disqualified somehow? (Wouldn't shock me!)

Apologies, updated OP.

[wgray]

Personally, I think Belfast will blow Glasgow away, they’ve won all 8 meetings between the teams this season. I’d be really surprised if they didn’t get to the weekend.

Sheffield v Manchester, you’d have to say Sheffield. Sheffield have won 8 of 10 against them in league and cup this season, a few big victories in there as well. Storm have got to be at least level going into Sheffield to have any success imo.

Cardiff v Coventry, I suspect there will be some upset fans in Wales. Coventry have won 6 out of 10 against Cardiff in league and cup comps, I’m picking the Blaze to be at the weekend.

Finally, Nottingham v Guildford. Flames will be up for it no doubt after missing out on the league title, they’ve pushed Belfast nearly all the way, they’re a quality side with vast amounts of speed. The games between us this season though have been pretty close affairs. Four of the six games have gone to OT where we have two wins each, Guildford have then won the other two games in regulation, winning by 2 goals in one of the games and 1 goal in the other. I think it will be close, can we hang in there? I think Jones will have to be on form to lead us through

[Yotes]

Belfast easily, Guildford in a close one, Sheffield in another close one, and Coventry to win by a few on aggregate.

[loupowell52]

Belfast v. Glasgow. The Scots have no hope. Giants by 4 or 5 goals on aggregate.
Guildford v.Nottingham. Flames too much depth and far more consistent. Flames by at least 2 goals on aggregate.
Manchester v. Sheffield. Would love Storm to get through but it's playoff time and Sheffield are Sheffield. Steelers by a 3 or 4 goal spread on aggregate.
Cardiff v. Coventry. The clash that I would most like to see. Could go either way. Danny Stewart has bags of experience to help his squad but just feel the Devils have the big game edge. So, "The Grapes Count" favours Devils by a single goal in a high scoring aggregate match-up.

[Yotes]

Devils up by 4. Us up by 3. Giants up by 2 and Steelers qualified. Could be a big 4 weekend.

[John Casey]

Can't say, I'm surprised by Sheffield. I'm shocked that Belfast are only leading by 2 however, that could get interesting.

[Yotes]

It was looking more surprising at 2-2. I think they'll roll over Glasgow tomorrow tbh, survived the scare tonight.

Blaze getting battered at home was very surprising, expected more from them.

[John Casey]

Apr 8, 2023 21:27:02 GMT Yotes said:

It was looking more surprising at 2-2. I think they'll roll over Glasgow tomorrow tbh, survived the scare tonight.

Blaze getting battered at home was very surprising, expected more from them.

Yeah The Cardiff one surprised me also, last week seemed to be a different story.

Belfast also struggled against the 8th placed team last Season (Coventry) but I do agree with you that they should finish the job comfortably but I did think that it would have been as good as over tonight.

[ashfieldpanther]

Apr 4, 2023 11:59:10 GMT ashfieldpanther said:

Prediction time
Belfast v Glasgow - got to go with Belfast. chance of upset ? less than 10%
Guilford v Panthers - sadly, i'll have to say Flames. Chance of upset ? Can Panthers play 6 solid periods without giving away the 3 or 4 goals like we know they can, which could decide the match. If they can be solid then maybe 25% chance of getting through.
Steelers v Manchester - think Steelers will be too strong, as they don't play badly two games running and have a match winning goalie. But Manchester are solid and in Deluca have a goalscorer with something to prove. Chance of upset ? 25%
Devils v Blaze - too close to call what the upset would be, chance of Blaze winning is 50/50, could come down to goal tending, if Bowns or Holsa play hot for two games that could decide it.

Panthers keeping their side of the bargain so far by playing three good periods against Flames. But they need to start strongly, and carry it on into second. And third. Then they might have a chance. I'd say the other two ties are as good as done.

[Yotes]

Two each in Glasgow, Clan not going away yet.

[Yotes]

Blaze narrow their aggregate score to 5-3. Another goal for them makes that interesting.

Giants 3 in the lead now.

[Yotes]

Clan get another, back to the two goal lead again.

[Yotes]

Clan just a single goal down now.

[Yotes]

Devils through.

[Yotes]

And Giants through, just.

Giants v Panthers
Steelers v Devils

[Bagheera]

EIHL towers will be full of smiles at the results.
Panthers blocks now almost sold out. Surely will be by tomorrow. They may regret giving freebies away to arena staff now.

[Caesar]

I cannot believe that there are still seats left in the Panthers blocks nearly 3 hours after we've qualified. Shows what the fans think

[Bagheera]

Apr 9, 2023 21:13:58 GMT Caesar said:

I cannot believe that there are still seats left in the Panthers blocks nearly 3 hours after we've qualified. Shows what the fans think

I've since done a little tour of the blocks and it's still looking really poor overall. 9 to 11/12 all almost empty. Clan and Manchester bringing very few. 19 empty. 1&2 blocked out. Not sure if thats for sponsors or just released once others sold.
This will be starting to become a big headache for the league I feel. Pre Covid it was selling out and they were putting the extra seating at stage end. Now it's not even half sold prior to the Semi Lineup being decided.

They really screwed up last year with the pricing and some of that effect has rolled on. Perhaps some realising they can do without it being a must in their lives. The financial state of the country is probably the biggest issue right now though. Lot's of people struggling to pay bills so they aint gonna waste 100s of pounds each on tickets, hotels and everything else that comes with a weekend away when their team doesn't make it. And some cant even afford it with their team there.

I guess the league will just try and ride it out for a few more years and hope it comes back. I do hope it's making them consider at least trying a change of format though.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2023 6:35:09 GMT Bagheera said:

Apr 9, 2023 21:13:58 GMT Caesar said:

I cannot believe that there are still seats left in the Panthers blocks nearly 3 hours after we've qualified. Shows what the fans think

I've since done a little tour of the blocks and it's still looking really poor overall. 9 to 11/12 all almost empty. Clan and Manchester bringing very few. 19 empty. 1&2 blocked out. Not sure if thats for sponsors or just released once others sold.
This will be starting to become a big headache for the league I feel. Pre Covid it was selling out and they were putting the extra seating at stage end. Now it's not even half sold prior to the Semi Lineup being decided.

They really screwed up last year with the pricing and some of that effect has rolled on. Perhaps some realising they can do without it being a must in their lives. The financial state of the country is probably the biggest issue right now though. Lot's of people struggling to pay bills so they aint gonna waste 100s of pounds each on tickets, hotels and everything else that comes with a weekend away when their team doesn't make it. And some cant even afford it with their team there.

I guess the league will just try and ride it out for a few more years and hope it comes back. I do hope it's making them consider at least trying a change of format though.

I'm glad they are struggling to shift tickets .. they will find it hard now filling it once fans have stopped going/finding something else to do... It's clearly not just a panthers issue as well.

I've not been to a playoff final weekend for 6 years and don't even miss it.. it will never reach the heights of what it was 12+ years ago and before that.. better quality hockey for a lot less.. you may as well watch the NIHL ones instead

[Bagheera]

Apr 10, 2023 7:19:59 GMT @pidge said:

Apr 10, 2023 6:35:09 GMT Bagheera said:

I've since done a little tour of the blocks and it's still looking really poor overall. 9 to 11/12 all almost empty. Clan and Manchester bringing very few. 19 empty. 1&2 blocked out. Not sure if thats for sponsors or just released once others sold.
This will be starting to become a big headache for the league I feel. Pre Covid it was selling out and they were putting the extra seating at stage end. Now it's not even half sold prior to the Semi Lineup being decided.

They really screwed up last year with the pricing and some of that effect has rolled on. Perhaps some realising they can do without it being a must in their lives. The financial state of the country is probably the biggest issue right now though. Lot's of people struggling to pay bills so they aint gonna waste 100s of pounds each on tickets, hotels and everything else that comes with a weekend away when their team doesn't make it. And some cant even afford it with their team there.

I guess the league will just try and ride it out for a few more years and hope it comes back. I do hope it's making them consider at least trying a change of format though.

I'm glad they are struggling to shift tickets .. they will find it hard now filling it once fans have stopped going/finding something else to do... It's clearly not just a panthers issue as well.

I've not been to a playoff final weekend for 6 years and don't even miss it.. it will never reach the heights of what it was 12+ years ago and before that.. better quality hockey for a lot less.. you may as well watch the NIHL ones instead

You know aswell as me that playoffs is all about spending time with your hockey gang, other Panthers fans you meet and have fun with, aswell as all the people you get to know from other teams.
You can forego the diluting of the periferal stuff the league have put on(or lack of) if you know you will be spending time with all those great people you've got to know over the years. The problem is there are so few of those people left now.
I know enough people still for me to enjoy myself but it's so far from what it once was. It cannot last much longer as it is. If I really thought about it I could give you 20/30 names of people I no longer see at Panthers or Play Offs. People that were all die hard and hadn't missed a weekend in 20+ years.

[Deleted]

Apr 10, 2023 8:16:45 GMT Bagheera said:

Apr 10, 2023 7:19:59 GMT @pidge said:

I'm glad they are struggling to shift tickets .. they will find it hard now filling it once fans have stopped going/finding something else to do... It's clearly not just a panthers issue as well.

I've not been to a playoff final weekend for 6 years and don't even miss it.. it will never reach the heights of what it was 12+ years ago and before that.. better quality hockey for a lot less.. you may as well watch the NIHL ones instead

You know aswell as me that playoffs is all about spending time with your hockey gang, other Panthers fans you meet and have fun with, aswell as all the people you get to know from other teams.
You can forego the diluting of the periferal stuff the league have put on(or lack of) if you know you will be spending time with all those great people you've got to know over the years. The problem is there are so few of those people left now.
I know enough people still for me to enjoy myself but it's so far from what it once was. It cannot last much longer as it is. If I really thought about it I could give you 20/30 names of people I no longer see at Panthers or Play Offs. People that were all die hard and hadn't missed a weekend in 20+ years.

Exactly, there used to be around 20 of us including my wife's steelers supporting friends and family... Now there's 2 maybe 3 left.. people who went religiously for years going back to the Manchester days.

[Discoray]

Apr 10, 2023 6:35:09 GMT Bagheera said:

They really screwed up last year with the pricing and some of that effect has rolled on. Perhaps some realising they can do without it being a must in their lives. The financial state of the country is probably the biggest issue right now though. Lot's of people struggling to pay bills so they aint gonna waste 100s of pounds each on tickets, hotels and everything else that comes with a weekend away when their team doesn't make it. And some cant even afford it with their team there.

I had been going to the weekend these past 5 years in one of the boxes, mainly as it was the only sort of major treat of it's kind I did every year. Last year the price was bumped up 30%, and we grudgingly paid it since we had done nothing for 2 years due to covid, this year they had bumped it up again another 30% with nothing new or extra offered. We told them where to go with that, and they replied almost right away with a "special offer" of the same price as last year. Again told them where to go, and instead we've booked a large house beachside in the south of Scotland to watch the finals on TV, with a shopping delivery booked that has our food and drink, total cost all in is £85 per head, in contrast to £360 per head just for the early bird box ticket (it was £218 in 2019), not including the travel and hotel in Nottingham.

Just an absolute no brainer option, and if this works out, it'll probably be the norm for my group going forward instead. Pricing us out meant we thought up of something else to do instead, and we're clearly not alone as even regular ticket prices are a huge ask for families these days, again not helped by rising travel, accommodation and eating out costs too.