Challenge Cup Final - Sunday, 8th March 2020.

[loupowell52]

Name your winners with reason(s) why.   My vote goes to the Devils in a close match.  The Neutral Grapes Count = Sheffield Steelers 2 :  Cardiff Devils 3.
Match MVP  -  Devil's Joey Haddad.

[Yotes]

Think Cardiff are 3-1 up in the head to head this year, but I'll go for the Sheffield offence to get it right and see them win by a couple, 5-3.

[spik]

Less my presumption upsets anyone....🤐

[EMB]

I can’t ever remember the Steelers winning this competition but this may well be the year, Devils aren’t as good this year very unpredictable. I’m not bothered who wins just hope it’s a good match for all concerned.

[kievthegreat]

Mar 2, 2020 20:17:59 GMT EMB said:

I can’t ever remember the Steelers winning this competition but this may well be the year, Devils aren’t as good this year very unpredictable. I’m not bothered who wins just hope it’s a good match for all concerned.

2002-3 back in the ISL years.

[EMB]

Mar 2, 2020 21:06:15 GMT kievthegreat said:

Mar 2, 2020 20:17:59 GMT EMB said:

I can’t ever remember the Steelers winning this competition but this may well be the year, Devils aren’t as good this year very unpredictable. I’m not bothered who wins just hope it’s a good match for all concerned.

2002-3 back in the ISL years.

Ahhh yes I went to that one at the MEN. I'm just going on the EIHL era.

[kievthegreat]

Mar 3, 2020 15:05:48 GMT EMB said:

Mar 2, 2020 21:06:15 GMT kievthegreat said:

2002-3 back in the ISL years.

Ahhh yes I went to that one at the MEN. I'm just going on the EIHL era.

Yep they've never won it in the EIHL era, despite making the final 6 times.

[Deleted]

Mar 2, 2020 21:06:15 GMT kievthegreat said:

Mar 2, 2020 20:17:59 GMT EMB said:

I can’t ever remember the Steelers winning this competition but this may well be the year, Devils aren’t as good this year very unpredictable. I’m not bothered who wins just hope it’s a good match for all concerned.

2002-3 back in the ISL years.

Remember it well great game.. thought Jason Sessa was garbage yet he had one good game for them 🙈

[Deleted]

Not bothered one bit..

[ashfieldpanther]

In the spirit of the post, I'm going for Sheffield's offence heavy side having the edge in a high scoring game, and Duba to win the battle of the goalies.

[iginla]

Mar 3, 2020 15:05:48 GMT EMB said:

Mar 2, 2020 21:06:15 GMT kievthegreat said:

2002-3 back in the ISL years.

Ahhh yes I went to that one at the MEN. I'm just going on the EIHL era.

That game was the first time i ever saw Pidge.
He was absolutely off his trolley and stood up near the front conducting all the Panthers fans in song. 🙈🤣
Mika Pietila threw a puck over his shoulder for i think the first Steelers goal. 😩

[Deleted]

Mar 3, 2020 20:33:17 GMT iginla said:

Mar 3, 2020 15:05:48 GMT EMB said:

Ahhh yes I went to that one at the MEN. I'm just going on the EIHL era.

That game was the first time i ever saw Pidge.
He was absolutely off his trolley and stood up near the front conducting all the Panthers fans in song. 🙈🤣
Mika Pietila threw a puck over his shoulder for i think the first Steelers goal. 😩

Joel Laing let one in as well.. still say if that game went on another 5 mins Panthers would have tied the game. Just ran out of time.. they were proper finals neutral venue et all

[iginla]

Mar 3, 2020 20:50:41 GMT @pidge said:

Mar 3, 2020 20:33:17 GMT iginla said:

That game was the first time i ever saw Pidge.
He was absolutely off his trolley and stood up near the front conducting all the Panthers fans in song. 🙈🤣
Mika Pietila threw a puck over his shoulder for i think the first Steelers goal. 😩

Joel Laing let one in as well.. still say if that game went on another 5 mins Panthers would have tied the game. Just ran out of time.. they were proper finals neutral venue et all

Yup it was certainly a tremendous atmosphere.
About 3000 Panthers fans at one end and 3000 Steelers at the other.

[John Casey]

May it be a physical and hard hitting game that will take it out of both sides for the run in

[nightwish]

I’ll be washing my hair...

[jdizpt8]

I’ll take any score as long as both team put out a solid advert for the EIHL

[Phil Mitchell]

As long as its s decent show that does the EIHL proud I'm not bothered who wins
Why did they have it at Cardiff with only a 3100 capacity
Are there not bigger/better arenas or were they not expecting a big turnout for this tin pot cup
I would say the league or play off is a greater trophy to have in the cabinet as showpiece - though the Panther's cabinet is lacking in either trophy of late

[spik]

Mar 8, 2020 17:39:13 GMT Phil Mitchell said:

As long as its s decent show that does the EIHL proud I'm not bothered who wins
Why did they have it at Cardiff with only a 3100 capacity
Are there not bigger/better arenas or were they not expecting a big turnout for this tin pot cup
I would say the league or play off is a greater trophy to have in the cabinet as showpiece - though the Panther's cabinet is lacking in either trophy of late

Was it on TV to be recognised, I forget now? But since we don't have a home and away final (two legged score) a venue had to be sought and I guess Devils place is a better option as regards cost and getting a date. An alternative to Nottingham as we have the play-offs. This or Sheffield I guess.

Do we say congratulations Sheffield on that away win?

[Phil Mitchell]

Mar 8, 2020 20:37:34 GMT spik said:

Mar 8, 2020 17:39:13 GMT Phil Mitchell said:

As long as its s decent show that does the EIHL proud I'm not bothered who wins
Why did they have it at Cardiff with only a 3100 capacity
Are there not bigger/better arenas or were they not expecting a big turnout for this tin pot cup
I would say the league or play off is a greater trophy to have in the cabinet as showpiece - though the Panther's cabinet is lacking in either trophy of late

Was it on TV to be recognised, I forget now? But since we don't have a home and away final (two legged score) a venue had to be sought and I guess Devils place is a better option as regards cost and getting a date. An alternative to Nottingham as we have the play-offs. This or Sheffield I guess.

Do we say congratulations Sheffield on that away win?

Probably right with the venue to be honest...long gone are the hey days of Wembley etc and outside of the EIHL there are no venues with decent seating capacity and an ice plant these days.. (Liverpool M & S Arena, NEC at Birmingham or Newcastle Utilita Arena for example)

I don't know whether to congratulate Sheffield or not...I know its a long time since they have one it but I think the League or the Play Offs are better to win (and I can't see Panthers winning either of them to be honest)

[Deleted]

Why does this country severely lack decent arenas with permanent ice plants... that's a question

[kievthegreat]

Mar 8, 2020 20:37:34 GMT spik said:

Mar 8, 2020 17:39:13 GMT Phil Mitchell said:

As long as its s decent show that does the EIHL proud I'm not bothered who wins
Why did they have it at Cardiff with only a 3100 capacity
Are there not bigger/better arenas or were they not expecting a big turnout for this tin pot cup
I would say the league or play off is a greater trophy to have in the cabinet as showpiece - though the Panther's cabinet is lacking in either trophy of late

Was it on TV to be recognised, I forget now? But since we don't have a home and away final (two legged score) a venue had to be sought and I guess Devils place is a better option as regards cost and getting a date. An alternative to Nottingham as we have the play-offs. This or Sheffield I guess.

Do we say congratulations Sheffield on that away win?

When we won it in Sheffield, there was thousands of empty seats, the end behind the goal was basically deserted. Imagine Belfast vs Guildford in that building! it would be an embarrassment.

[Phil Mitchell]

Mar 8, 2020 21:14:36 GMT @pidge said:

Why does this country severely lack decent arenas with permanent ice plants... that's a question

That's because of lack of investment and the long term sustainability of EIHL teams to play out of these arenas

I know people have been wanting EIHL back in the North East for years now - but it needs to be sustainable long term

[Yotes]

Mar 8, 2020 21:23:03 GMT kievthegreat said:

Mar 8, 2020 20:37:34 GMT spik said:

Was it on TV to be recognised, I forget now? But since we don't have a home and away final (two legged score) a venue had to be sought and I guess Devils place is a better option as regards cost and getting a date. An alternative to Nottingham as we have the play-offs. This or Sheffield I guess.

Do we say congratulations Sheffield on that away win?

When we won it in Sheffield, there was thousands of empty seats, the end behind the goal was basically deserted. Imagine Belfast vs Guildford in that building! it would be an embarrassment.

Wasn't that a final recently?

[Deleted]

Mar 8, 2020 21:41:46 GMT Phil Mitchell said:

Mar 8, 2020 21:14:36 GMT @pidge said:

Why does this country severely lack decent arenas with permanent ice plants... that's a question

That's because of lack of investment and the long term sustainability of EIHL teams to play out of these arenas

I know people have been wanting EIHL back in the North East for years now - but it needs to be sustainable long term

Arenas are being built or at least planned but very few include a ice plant!

[kievthegreat]

Mar 8, 2020 21:44:03 GMT Yotes said:

Mar 8, 2020 21:23:03 GMT kievthegreat said:

When we won it in Sheffield, there was thousands of empty seats, the end behind the goal was basically deserted. Imagine Belfast vs Guildford in that building! it would be an embarrassment.

Wasn't that a final recently?

Last year in fact! In Cardiff they can fill it and it's fine. Going to a big arena? It would look deserted. It's not a criticism of their fanbases. I mean Guildford get less than 2,000 a game, getting 1,000 to 1,500 to a final is a good show. Belfast have a massive logistical issue called the Irish sea.