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Post by Bagheera on Apr 16, 2023 11:20:49 GMT
Until 2029 at least. Article not found and not yet seen on twitter. Im sure when they've done whatever edit they need to it'll be back.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2023 11:42:56 GMT
29 years in the same venue, getting worse year on year.. can it get any more stale.
It doesn't even sell out now so you don't even need a venue which holds over 6,000 anymore
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Post by spik on Apr 16, 2023 12:48:29 GMT
Well that blows any other format out the window now. Less it is just reserved for the final four AFTER a better revised set of games running the competitors 8/10 teams down to four.
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Post by Bagheera on Apr 16, 2023 13:27:11 GMT
29 years in the same venue, getting worse year on year.. can it get any more stale. It doesn't even sell out now so you don't even need a venue which holds over 6,000 anymore Every time these deals are announced my heart sinks. I know many fans around the league think we are the lucky ones, but not for me. Yes its a lot cheaper for us but we instantly lose 30% of the feel of an occasion by coming to the same place we always do and going back home after. I do absoloutly see why this is the best venue for it. It clearly is. Arena, city centre location and all that comes with that, but it is very stale. I've never been too bothered about the off ice extras and entertainment nut it is really noticable how poor it is this year. Nothing in any period break, bolero square just has a few alcohol stalls and a few clothes and merch bits inside. By far the most watered down product its ever been. It's a bit of a stretch to expect some of those ISL standards. I remember spending time in tje crics and then there being the second pad covered over with all sorts of stalls and a bar. Those were the days. Most importantly though it shows absoloutly no intent to consider a change of format at all. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2023 13:53:33 GMT
29 years in the same venue, getting worse year on year.. can it get any more stale. It doesn't even sell out now so you don't even need a venue which holds over 6,000 anymore Every time these deals are announced my heart sinks. I know many fans around the league think we are the lucky ones, but not for me. Yes its a lot cheaper for us but we instantly lose 30% of the feel of an occasion by coming to the same place we always do and going back home after. I do absoloutly see why this is the best venue for it. It clearly is. Arena, city centre location and all that comes with that, but it is very stale. I've never been too bothered about the off ice extras and entertainment nut it is really noticable how poor it is this year. Nothing in any period break, bolero square just has a few alcohol stalls and a few clothes and merch bits inside. By far the most watered down product its ever been. It's a bit of a stretch to expect some of those ISL standards. I remember spending time in tje crics and then there being the second pad covered over with all sorts of stalls and a bar. Those were the days. Most importantly though it shows absoloutly no intent to consider a change of format at all. Exactly my thoughts |
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Post by bobness on Apr 17, 2023 7:59:05 GMT
It is what it is.
For all my hockey life, the playoffs have been a 3 (serious) game weekend, at one venue. Exactly like Colleges in NA do it, it's not unheard of.
A completely neutral venue was, and would be, ideal, but that ship has sailed. For all other teams, at least it's an "away" weekend.
So, it is what it is. You can not like it, but you can't change it for another 5 years.
If you're that excited to make it as good as it can be, feed back to the league, but I suspect that won't happen as "they never listen".
I'm sure people have more to complain about than that.
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Discoray
Robert Lachowicz
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Post by Discoray on Apr 17, 2023 10:51:05 GMT
Most importantly though it shows absoloutly no intent to consider a change of format at all. They could at least bring back the round-robin group stage for the first round. Then all 8 teams get at least 6 games no matter what, and can worry about winning each night rather than aggregate scores. |
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Post by Bagheera on Apr 17, 2023 10:59:13 GMT
Most importantly though it shows absoloutly no intent to consider a change of format at all. They could at least bring back the round-robin group stage for the first round. Then all 8 teams get at least 6 games no matter what, and can worry about winning each night rather than aggregate scores. I think that is the best solution there is considering the weekend is staying. Ive always loved pofw but its not what it used to be and they really struggled to sell it this year. Imagine Steelers and Panthers didnt make it! For it to go though it would need replacing with a cc weekend October time, which id be happy for. The only problem with the group stage format is it becomes very samey with the CC competition. I think both comps need a revamp to make it all work better. |
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Post by bobness on Apr 17, 2023 12:01:38 GMT
The only problem with the group stage format is it becomes very samey with the CC competition. I think both comps need a revamp to make it all work better. Agreed completely. |
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Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Apr 17, 2023 12:55:01 GMT
You could play the quarters as a series, and keep the final four setup as is. Maybe it'd only be best of 3 to begin with, but that'd be a start. At least it'd make home advantage more of a thing.
Looking up Paredes the other day, I notice the French have 3 rounds of best of 7 series for their playoffs.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2023 13:35:18 GMT
So how much do we think weekend pass tickets will be in 6 years time? Surely they won't freeze them for that long... Are they actually going to make the effort and improve the experience for fans for a change or is it going to be same old same old 😴
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2023 13:36:28 GMT
You could play the quarters as a series, and keep the final four setup as is. Maybe it'd only be best of 3 to begin with, but that'd be a start. At least it'd make home advantage more of a thing. Looking up Paredes the other day, I notice the French have 3 rounds of best of 7 series for their playoffs. Yes it can be done if there's foresight.. or are we saying the EIHL doesn't match up to the french league.. |
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Post by bobness on Apr 17, 2023 15:37:39 GMT
So how much do we think weekend pass tickets will be in 6 years time? Surely they won't freeze them for that long... Are they actually going to make the effort and improve the experience for fans for a change or is it going to be same old same old 😴 I'd advise asking the league those kind of questions, given that a) it's their party, and b) no-one on here knows the answers. |
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Post by bobness on Apr 17, 2023 15:39:31 GMT
You could play the quarters as a series, and keep the final four setup as is. Maybe it'd only be best of 3 to begin with, but that'd be a start. At least it'd make home advantage more of a thing. Looking up Paredes the other day, I notice the French have 3 rounds of best of 7 series for their playoffs. Yes it can be done if there's foresight.. or are we saying the EIHL doesn't match up to the french league.. No, just that the French do it differently. It's largely pointless having a pop all the time, it isn't changing until at least this side of 2030. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2023 18:06:31 GMT
Yes it can be done if there's foresight.. or are we saying the EIHL doesn't match up to the french league.. No, just that the French do it differently. It's largely pointless having a pop all the time, it isn't changing until at least this side of 2030. Maybe no best just hope they don't price themselves out of it like last year hey.. else the arena will be pretty sparse lol |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2023 18:07:03 GMT
So how much do we think weekend pass tickets will be in 6 years time? Surely they won't freeze them for that long... Are they actually going to make the effort and improve the experience for fans for a change or is it going to be same old same old 😴 I'd advise asking the league those kind of questions, given that a) it's their party, and b) no-one on here knows the answers. No I'm asking on here because it's a fans forum...for like discussions |
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Yotes
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Post by Yotes on Apr 17, 2023 18:16:07 GMT
It's largely pointless having a pop all the time, it isn't changing until at least this side of 2030. The final four weekend isn't changing, but no reason the quarterfinal couldn't. |
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Post by spik on Apr 17, 2023 18:53:49 GMT
It's largely pointless having a pop all the time, it isn't changing until at least this side of 2030. The final four weekend isn't changing, but no reason the quarterfinal couldn't. Reason I suggest a shorter league so every game is critical to win. At end of league program bottom two play 7th and 8th first. Winners play 5th and 6th. Those winners go through to play the top four ( two pairing games) losers ( as the top four played to find who does this or who goes straight to the semi’s.) So bottom four have to play a pre-lim before 5 and 6 join in. As 5 and 6 and say 8 and 10 play. 1-4 play for the semi spot or a second chance with two of either 5,6,8 or 10 -the bottom set winners. Semi and final thereafter at Finals weekend. Wish I had the diagram. Aggregate or best of format - whatever pleases. |
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iginla
Chick Zamick
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Post by iginla on Apr 17, 2023 19:32:31 GMT
It's largely pointless having a pop all the time, it isn't changing until at least this side of 2030. The final four weekend isn't changing, but no reason the quarterfinal couldn't. Yes there’s absolutely no reason the PO QF’s couldn’t be best of 3 games. Yes it could cost one team a non game arena fee but realistically Panthers,Steelers and Giants could easily afford that, the Devils don’t pay rent,Clan run their own arena and surely the other five little teams don’t pay much rent for their little rinks. It’s only a couple of weeks ago the EIHL were shouting and championing that the overall total attendances this season were 1.04 million fans so imagine just how much money is really swilling around the league. Of course they could afford it,the powers that be just don’t want to ! |
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Apr 17, 2023 20:49:27 GMT
The final four weekend isn't changing, but no reason the quarterfinal couldn't. Reason I suggest a shorter league so every game is critical to win. At end of league program bottom two play 7th and 8th first. Winners play 5th and 6th. Those winners go through to play the top four ( two pairing games) losers ( as the top four played to find who does this or who goes straight to the semi’s.) So bottom four have to play a pre-lim before 5 and 6 join in. As 5 and 6 and say 8 and 10 play. 1-4 play for the semi spot or a second chance with two of either 5,6,8 or 10 -the bottom set winners. Semi and final thereafter at Finals weekend. Wish I had the diagram. Aggregate or best of format - whatever pleases. How would the rink teams survive with a shorter season? |
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Post by spik on Apr 17, 2023 22:10:43 GMT
Reason I suggest a shorter league so every game is critical to win. At end of league program bottom two play 7th and 8th first. Winners play 5th and 6th. Those winners go through to play the top four ( two pairing games) losers ( as the top four played to find who does this or who goes straight to the semi’s.) So bottom four have to play a pre-lim before 5 and 6 join in. As 5 and 6 and say 8 and 10 play. 1-4 play for the semi spot or a second chance with two of either 5,6,8 or 10 -the bottom set winners. Semi and final thereafter at Finals weekend. Wish I had the diagram. Aggregate or best of format - whatever pleases. How would the rink teams survive with a shorter season? Wrote this void of my notes I had. In short, the league games are taken by the play offs. Either way, whatever format - stronger and more successful teams do play more games than others from what we have now or this option and the likes of Fife and Dundee go home early as others play more games. But as long as they get a good piece of the action (income from a set number of games) and from what I recall there is little difference (in games possibly played or not) from now to this idea. An Autumn Cup style that we had years ago for this now titled Challenge Cup, then a league and thereafter a play offs. I know what you mean, teams need the income from a set number of games per season and largely this is why those in charge won't defer to anything different from what we have now. Yet changes have sprung up and others could be used but not tried. Look at our complaints of the CUP we have, its format and uninteresting spread over the first part of a season. How we crave for a better play off system also. Elite can interpret it how they like ( series of games/aggregate etc) but a deserving play off structure would benefit the effort put in by the teams by leagues end, teams worthy a place in the finals showpiece. I will try and find something that explains it better. This is the best I have to hand: On an eight team basis (sorry, only one needed but can't delete now on my PC)  |
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loupowell52
Robert Lachowicz
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Post by loupowell52 on Apr 18, 2023 14:45:58 GMT
The Elite League should seek out a GENUINE sponsor rather than an "in house" name like Viaplay. Accept it is just a dream but, oh for a return to a MAJOR SPONSOR like the "good old days" of Heineken. A true global brand who instantly gave the top league and the entire sport in the UK real credibility.
The EIHL management/owners prefer to keep full control and have a "big fish in a small pond" mentality. Speculate and get an outside sports sponsorship agency to find a lucrative league sponsor. Cash is tight nowadays but there are large businesses/organisations out there who would be interested. Honestly think the existing EIHL owners are frightened of losing some of their control.
The Play Off Programme carried the usual expected twaddle from Tony Smith about improved attendance's and improved quality of the product. In one word that is Bull****. Overall the majority of Elite League clubs are struggling financially and the on-ice standard is going backwards.
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Post by kievthegreat on Apr 18, 2023 14:56:36 GMT
The Elite League should seek out a GENUINE sponsor rather than an "in house" name like Viaplay. Accept it is just a dream but, oh for a return to a MAJOR SPONSOR like the "good old days" of Heineken. A true global brand who instantly gave the top league and the entire sport in the UK real credibility. The EIHL management/owners prefer to keep full control and have a "big fish in a small pond" mentality. Speculate and get an outside sports sponsorship agency to find a lucrative league sponsor. Cash is tight nowadays but there are large businesses/organisations out there who would be interested. Honestly think the existing EIHL owners are frightened of losing some of their control. The Play Off Programme carried the usual expected twaddle from Tony Smith about improved attendance's and improved quality of the product. In one word that is Bull****. Overall the majority of Elite League clubs are struggling financially and the on-ice standard is going backwards. I noticed every playoff Jersey carried a Greene King decal on the bottom. The Greee King Elite League has a nice ring to it. On a side note, I wonder if there will be any gambling money potentially heading the EIHLs way with football reducing what is allowed. Although that does bring in ethical dilemmas, I don't think the EIHL or teams have the cashflow to have too many scruples. |
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Discoray
Robert Lachowicz
Simply Clantastic!
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Post by Discoray on Apr 18, 2023 19:51:39 GMT
On a side note, I wonder if there will be any gambling money potentially heading the EIHLs way with football reducing what is allowed. How the deal went with PredictorBet doesn't exactly inspire much confidence. Taken in on a "long-term deal" and then vanishes without a word said. |
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Post by The Flying Shirt on Apr 18, 2023 19:54:04 GMT
On a side note, I wonder if there will be any gambling money potentially heading the EIHLs way with football reducing what is allowed. How the deal went with PredictorBet doesn't exactly inspire much confidence. Taken in on a "long-term deal" and then vanishes without a word said. Viaplay is about as good as it gets at the moment. Definitely much higher profile than anything else in recent times |
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