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Post by Heanor Lair on Aug 18, 2006 18:47:17 GMT
As the Elite League don't seem capable of issuing basic information about the challenge cup this season, I have done a trawl anround various sites with regards to this compertition.
There appears as though there is going to be 2 groups of 3 and 2 groups of 2, each team playing others in their group home and away.
Looking at the fixtures, and I have to admit, making some assumptions based on what the various clubs websites, and other sites have stated regarding fixtures, I think the groups are arranged thus:
Group 1:
Edinburgh, Newcastle, Hull
Group 2:
Belfast, Sheffield, Manchester
Group 3:
Coventry, Nottingham
Group 4:
Basingstoke, Cardiff
Winners from each group into the semi finals.
As far as I can assertain all the group games to be completed by end of October.
As I say there are some assumptions, but I suspect this could close to the mark.
Regards
HL
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Post by KimThePanther on Aug 18, 2006 21:47:41 GMT
According to Simmsy:
Group A - Giants, Phoenix
Group B - Panthers, Steelers
Group C - Capitals, Stingrays, Vipers
Group D - Bison, Blaze, Devils
Two teamed groups?! What's that all about then?
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Shaggy
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Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
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Post by Shaggy on Aug 18, 2006 21:55:14 GMT
What's wrong with a group of 4 teams instead of 2 sets of two? And.... Panthers vs Steelers.... my, how original.  Can't we have some different opposition for a change? - IT'S GETTING BORING!!!! Edit: Should have read HL's first post properly.... he's got us facing Coventry (good - someone a bit different for a change) Any clue as to which is correct? |
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Post by P.G.F.I. on Aug 18, 2006 22:03:49 GMT
Why can't we just have 2 groups of 5?
2 team groups is total rubbish.
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Post by NevesMetro on Aug 19, 2006 9:42:53 GMT
Why can't we just have 2 groups of 5? 2 team groups is total rubbish. I can only guess extra fixture problems if they want them as stand alone fixtures. Personally I would rather have groups of 5 and have them tied in with league games over the above format, but I guess in all about money and having 2 more Panthers/Steelers games (if simmsy is right with his groups) AND if he his right then the elite league have decided that there can't be a Panthers/Steelers final or a Blaze/Devils or so on and so on and is that something that should be decided off the ice unless it's drawn fairly?  ?? |
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Post by Heanor Lair on Aug 19, 2006 10:48:58 GMT
According to Simmsy: Group A - Giants, Phoenix Group B - Panthers, Steelers Group C - Capitals, Stingrays, Vipers Group D - Bison, Blaze, Devils Two teamed groups?! What's that all about then? Not sure about the Panthers Steelers thing. Ouir firsdt game against the Steelers is October 28th., secong game in November. I understood that the group games were due to be done and dusted by end of October. Regards HL |
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Post by ted on Aug 19, 2006 10:59:28 GMT
I heard that us and steelers were getting bys to the semis and playing each other
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Post by spik on Aug 19, 2006 14:19:02 GMT
I guess we will have to wait and see. But I have no faith in this sports organisers. Playing games is better than letting league games arrange the semis for us. Whats the point of counting 'X' games of the league towards this.Then its only the best of the league that tend to do well in competitions. Give teams that might not last the course in the league s shot at an early season Cup. Before they fade. As has been said. 'Play' should determine the finalists not pre arranged formats. If 5 team groups are assumed too many games , cut the flippin league down to 2 home and away. Is the Challenge Cup a competition or not? ? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2006 14:21:02 GMT
I heard that us and steelers were getting bys to the semis and playing each other Me too, i think it sticks personally, and would never be allowed to happen  |
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Shaggy
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Post by Shaggy on Aug 19, 2006 14:28:39 GMT
I heard that us and steelers were getting bys to the semis and playing each other Yeah, I'd heard that one as well. I sincerely hope that it's not true - NO team merits a bye to the semis.... not us, not Sheffield, not anyone. I really hope that the EIHL aren't dumb enough to do this... I can just imagine the outcry from the other teams and their fans (and they'd be right to complain!). |
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Post by Heanor Lair on Aug 19, 2006 14:29:03 GMT
Talking to a learned hockey person this morning it could be the Format is thus:
First round
Group C
Edinburgh, Hull, Newcastle - winners and runners up progress
Group D
Coventry, Basingstoke, Cardiff - winners and runners up progress
Byes
Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Belfast
Quarter Finals:
Apparently 'a draw' was made and by shear coicidence the following quarter final ties are:
Belfast v Manchester (Group A)
Nottingham v Sheffield (Group B)
Group C winners v Group D runner up
Group D winners v Group C runners up
Regards
HL
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Post by spik on Aug 19, 2006 14:33:08 GMT
and pigs can fly.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2006 14:33:59 GMT
Talking to a learned hockey person this morning it could be the Format is thus: First round Group C Edinburgh, Hull, Newcastle - winners and runners up progress Group D Coventry, Basingstoke, Cardiff - winners and runners up progress Byes Nottingham, Sheffield, Manchester, Belfast Quarter Finals: Apparently 'a draw' was made and by shear coicidence the following quarter final ties are: Belfast v Manchester (Group A) Nottingham v Sheffield (Group B) Group C winners v Group D runner up Group D winners v Group C runners up Regards HL Thats correct, and it was apparently agreed by two people ,i ll let you decide who came up with the idea. This Nottingham-Sheffield thing now is just about doing my head in, THERE ARE OTHER TEAMS IN THE ELITE LEAGUE BAR THESE TWO  |
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Post by spik on Aug 19, 2006 14:36:16 GMT
I would not even complain if the other teams declined to play on the strength of this one.
But yet again, let's wait and see first.
But that wait could be long as fixtures seem to be a stumbling block.
Here starts the list of comedy errors from this sport......1) Fixtures delay.
2)
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Shaggy
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Post by Shaggy on Aug 19, 2006 14:37:15 GMT
If that is true - then it's a disgrace IMHO.
No team should receive a bye for anything other than extremely unusual circumstances.
Just do it two groups of five, top two go through to the semis. Simple as that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2006 14:37:26 GMT
How long have u got? ;D
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Post by spik on Aug 19, 2006 14:40:16 GMT
Well said Shaggy/Pidge.
Shows we have heart for the SPORT/GAME.
I know of a few people who could be doing good jobs in the game of hockey.
But the doors closed for all the wrong reasons.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2006 14:43:31 GMT
Its plane wrong., its not the FA cup here (where all the big clubs join in the 3rd round)
Its not a handicap cup, every team should start on same leveller
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Post by Heanor Lair on Aug 19, 2006 14:44:27 GMT
If that is true - then it's a disgrace IMHO. No team should receive a bye for anything other than extremely unusual circumstances. Just do it two groups of five, top two go through to the semis. Simple as that. Agree entierly Shaggy, but of course logic - EIHL that does take some lateral thinking! Regards HL |
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DoUrden
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Post by DoUrden on Aug 19, 2006 18:26:30 GMT
If that is the system(which is stupid if it is) then why those teams getting the bye? Surely if ANYONE should get a bye it should be Cardiff for winning it last year?
Stupid, how can thy even think thats going to work? If there is a problem with fixtures, Don't hold the competition at all!
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