Play off games this weekend

[Phil Mitchell]

It seems rather strange with the Panthers not being there

On another note our esteemed friends (or what ever you like to call them these days),up the road are playing Fife Flyers tonight

They couldn't have use of the Arena this weekend because of some Take That concert and that makes the arena operators way more money than Steelers will ever do

So they decided to use Ice Sheffield which only holds 1500 spectators - so no allocation for away fans at all and as you can guess the Flyers fans are not happy
I'm also hearing that most of the Steelers fans are not happy about it because of limited ticket availibility

Because I believe how the EIHL is set up and ran there is no redress with this issue whatsoever - which in my opinion is wrong

Sheffield knew a few weeks ago that they would need Ice time for the play off games once they were as good as champions

They should have been told that they need to find a more suitable venue to play out of where there would have been a decent seating allocation for both home and away fans or forefit the game.

Some people will say use Planet Ice at Leeds, well that only holds 1800 which is not much better

You couldn't swap the home/away ties round as Sheffield Arena would not have been available on Sunday either

The only place I can think that may have been suitable would have been Hull Ice Arena, its got a capacity of 3750 but I'm not convinced that either team would be happy with that

[DMS]

Apr 12, 2024 22:07:56 GMT Phil Mitchell said:

It seems rather strange with the Panthers not being there

On another note our esteemed friends (or what ever you like to call them these days),up the road are playing Fife Flyers tonight

They couldn't have use of the Arena this weekend because of some Take That concert and that makes the arena operators way more money than Steelers will ever do

So they decided to use Ice Sheffield which only holds 1500 spectators - so no allocation for away fans at all and as you can guess the Flyers fans are not happy
I'm also hearing that most of the Steelers fans are not happy about it because of limited ticket availibility

Because I believe how the EIHL is set up and ran there is no redress with this issue whatsoever - which in my opinion is wrong

Sheffield knew a few weeks ago that they would need Ice time for the play off games once they were as good as champions

They should have been told that they need to find a more suitable venue to play out of where there would have been a decent seating allocation for both home and away fans or forefit the game.

Some people will say use Planet Ice at Leeds, well that only holds 1800 which is not much better

You couldn't swap the home/away ties round as Sheffield Arena would not have been available on Sunday either

The only place I can think that may have been suitable would have been Hull Ice Arena, its got a capacity of 3750 but I'm not convinced that either team would be happy with that

Why would they want to go to a different (neutral) venue that isn’t theirs/in their city? I wouldn’t want us to if we had the option.

I also take no issue in them not making tickets available to away fans, through no fault of their own they lost their usual home venue and the advantage they had earned through regular season position. They did what they needed to create an atmosphere/setting that gave them the be possible advantage to win.

I would want Panthers to do exactly the same in this scenario, you should always be doing as much as you can to give yourself the best advantage (granted we don’t normally but that’s a different story) yeah it’s a perceived shame for the away team but nothing stopping them doing the same for the reverse fixture to the Steelers.

[John Casey]

On 5 days notice, I'm not sure how many fans will come from Fife on a Friday night. However a certain percentage of seats should be available to away fans but put on general sale within a timeframe.

This kind of thing has happened to the Panthers:

There was a Quarter Final in Belfast played on Easter Monday because of Disney on Ice.

We played a home leg against Breahead on a Thursday, 2 days after a Challenge Cup Final because of something like a Cheerleading Competition was on at the weekend, we lost 3-0

[Phil Mitchell]

Why would they want to go to a different (neutral) venue that isn’t theirs/in their city? I wouldn’t want us to if we had the option.

This is because Sheffield had the option and the EIHL couldn't enforce some sort of ruling that venues have to have over 2500 seating capcity
There's another issue as I see it, if you take out the arena teams then you are left with mediocre venues with limited seating capacity and because Ice Hockey is not a major sport in the UK there are no massive cash injections or sponsors on board, unofortunatley we have to make do with what we have got.
Nobody wants to put Ice Plant units in the new arenas that have been built or are currently being built (Aberdeen, Liverpool & Newcastle/Gateshead come to mind)

I also take no issue in them not making tickets available to away fans, through no fault of their own they lost their usual home venue and the advantage they had earned through regular season position. They did what they needed to create an atmosphere/setting that gave them the be possible advantage to win.

That is no fault of the Steelers whatsoever but I suspect the Steelers may get a very hostile/frosty reception in the auld barn in Kirkcaldy on Sunday night

I would want Panthers to do exactly the same in this scenario, you should always be doing as much as you can to give yourself the best advantage (granted we don’t normally but that’s a different story) yeah it’s a perceived shame for the away team but nothing stopping them doing the same for the reverse fixture to the Steelers.

[DMS]

Apr 13, 2024 7:19:19 GMT Phil Mitchell said:

Why would they want to go to a different (neutral) venue that isn’t theirs/in their city? I wouldn’t want us to if we had the option.

This is because Sheffield had the option and the EIHL couldn't enforce some sort of ruling that venues have to have over 2500 seating capcity
There's another issue as I see it, if you take out the arena teams then you are left with mediocre venues with limited seating capacity and because Ice Hockey is not a major sport in the UK there are no massive cash injections or sponsors on board, unofortunatley we have to make do with what we have got.
Nobody wants to put Ice Plant units in the new arenas that have been built or are currently being built (Aberdeen, Liverpool & Newcastle/Gateshead come to mind)

I also take no issue in them not making tickets available to away fans, through no fault of their own they lost their usual home venue and the advantage they had earned through regular season position. They did what they needed to create an atmosphere/setting that gave them the be possible advantage to win.

That is no fault of the Steelers whatsoever but I suspect the Steelers may get a very hostile/frosty reception in the auld barn in Kirkcaldy on Sunday night

I would want Panthers to do exactly the same in this scenario, you should always be doing as much as you can to give yourself the best advantage (granted we don’t normally but that’s a different story) yeah it’s a perceived shame for the away team but nothing stopping them doing the same for the reverse fixture to the Steelers.

Your first point is looking at the issue as a whole with the league not for a single one off game so is for a different discussion away from your original point. And again why would they take the game to a city that isn’t theirs just to appease away fans? Ice Sheffield was a great option for them in the circumstances.

And with a 9-4 first leg league in bet they couldn’t give 2 chuffs about a frosty reception

[shinobi]

I’m sure Sheffield will cope with a “frosty” reception. They’ll no doubt thrive on it in all honesty. Best team in the league.

🤮
😂

[The Flying Shirt]

Apr 13, 2024 11:24:54 GMT shinobi said:

I’m sure Sheffield will cope with a “frosty” reception. They’ll no doubt thrive on it in all honesty. Best team in the league.

🤮
😂

If they play anything like they did yesterday they will just breeze in and out back to the coach home. They didn't even break into a sweat

[spik]

Looking at tonight's (second look) at PO action.
Which might be the 'upset' for an away win?
Remember you have put a bet (Money) on this.

Manchester v Guildford

Belfast v Coventry

Cardiff v Dundee

It can only be Guildford.

[rexkramer]

Unfortunately it looks nailed on for Steelers, Giants and Devils making it through. Other one could go either way but I'm hoping for Storm as they'll be getting my support next weekend if they are there after all they did to help us back on the ice.

[John Casey]

Apr 13, 2024 17:02:18 GMT spik said:

Looking at tonight's (second look) at PO action.
Which might be the 'upset' for an away win?
Remember you have put a bet (Money) on this.

Manchester v Guildford

Belfast v Coventry

Cardiff v Dundee

It can only be Guildford.

Wouldn't call Guildford winning an upset though, I say that's a coin toss tie.

Cardiff with their Defensive woes might be vulnerable if Dundee are up to the task.

Cardiff deserve to lose in the Quarter Finals because of their insipid surrender against Coventry last week.

[John Casey]

Apr 13, 2024 11:34:12 GMT The Flying Shirt said:

Apr 13, 2024 11:24:54 GMT shinobi said:

I’m sure Sheffield will cope with a “frosty” reception. They’ll no doubt thrive on it in all honesty. Best team in the league.

🤮
😂

If they play anything like they did yesterday they will just breeze in and out back to the coach home. They didn't even break into a sweat

They may only be in trouble if they suffer an extreme case of Scottish Ref Syndrome.

But then Aaron Fox and his Laptop might be a cure for it

[John Casey]

As long Cardiff and Belfast don't play each other next weekend, I'll be happy

[brian]

Sheffield were put in this position when the EIHL changed the play off dates to allow more time for GB preparation I am told. All Fife had to do was not sell any away tickets either. Knock for knock.
However they would lose money from this arrangement as the Steelers have hundreds more travelling fans than Fife, especially on a damp Friday Evening.
Of course they could have played in Nottingham .....maybe not !

[brian]

The seedings mean Belfast and Cardiff look sure to play each other next Saturdah night. The Steelers will play the lowest seeded team in the afternoon.Manchester or Guildfird will be the lowest seeds if Belfast and Cardiff get through.

[John Casey]

Apr 13, 2024 17:39:29 GMT brian said:

The seedings mean Belfast and Cardiff look sure to play each other next Saturdah night. The Steelers will play the lowest seeded team in the afternoon.Manchester or Guildfird will be the lowest seeds if Belfast and Cardiff get through.

Not if one or both get eliminated in the Quarters

[Phil Mitchell]

Apr 13, 2024 10:36:45 GMT DMS said:

Apr 13, 2024 7:19:19 GMT Phil Mitchell said:

Why would they want to go to a different (neutral) venue that isn’t theirs/in their city? I wouldn’t want us to if we had the option.

This is because Sheffield had the option and the EIHL couldn't enforce some sort of ruling that venues have to have over 2500 seating capcity
There's another issue as I see it, if you take out the arena teams then you are left with mediocre venues with limited seating capacity and because Ice Hockey is not a major sport in the UK there are no massive cash injections or sponsors on board, unofortunatley we have to make do with what we have got.
Nobody wants to put Ice Plant units in the new arenas that have been built or are currently being built (Aberdeen, Liverpool & Newcastle/Gateshead come to mind)

I also take no issue in them not making tickets available to away fans, through no fault of their own they lost their usual home venue and the advantage they had earned through regular season position. They did what they needed to create an atmosphere/setting that gave them the be possible advantage to win.

That is no fault of the Steelers whatsoever but I suspect the Steelers may get a very hostile/frosty reception in the auld barn in Kirkcaldy on Sunday night

I would want Panthers to do exactly the same in this scenario, you should always be doing as much as you can to give yourself the best advantage (granted we don’t normally but that’s a different story) yeah it’s a perceived shame for the away team but nothing stopping them doing the same for the reverse fixture to the Steelers.

Your first point is looking at the issue as a whole with the league not for a single one off game so is for a different discussion away from your original point. And again why would they take the game to a city that isn’t theirs just to appease away fans? Ice Sheffield was a great option for them in the circumstances.

And with a 9-4 first leg league in bet they couldn’t give 2 chuffs about a frosty reception

[spik]

Guildford off to an early start. 0-1 up away after 7 minutes
0-2 after 12 mins
Cardiff, deciding to try and win this 1-0 up after near end of 1st.
Belfast and Coventry off the mark 1-1 and Flames March on 0-3.
Let’s see how they finish.



AND, as thought GUILDFORD the only team to hack it.
The usual top liners now at the party