Double Overtime, 22nd October

So, another weekend in the EIHL is in the books, and it's time for the team-by-team weekend review:

Basingstoke: On the face of it, it's only been a weekend of more misery for the Hampshire side. Three games in four days for a team who've just lost their starting goalie and number one centre isn't the ideal weekend slate, not to mention something of a baptism of fire for Dan Green, as the back-up goalie-turned-emergency-starter. I briefly refer to the Thursday night game here, but things didn't get much better results-wise for either the Bison's temporary starter or his team at the weekend. The young Brit more than earned the adulation of his notorious "Appreciation Society" however, facing 84 shots over the two weekend games and only letting in five goals for a stellar 94 percent save percentage. Unfortunately, the Bison's weakened attack could only score three goals in the two games, losing 2-1 and 3-2. Which means the Bison come out of this weekend pointless, but with a huge amount of respect earned from both their fans and the opposition.
Grade: B-

Belfast: The Giants, a team who were somewhat in need of a lift themselves before this weekend, lucked out by facing a Basingstoke side in turmoil for their only two games of the weekend. After Peter Campbell's dream (2 goals, 2 assists) debut on the Thursday night, he and the Giants found the Bison a much tougher proposition in their home rink, but still managed to grind out a hard-fought two-one win thanks to goals from Shaun Sutter and Carlyle Lewis (who seems to be finally finding his feet after being heavily criticised by his own fans earlier on in the season). Another improvement for the Giants this weekend-let's just see how long they can continue...
Grade: B

Cardiff: It was an up-and-down weekend for the Devils, coming out on opposite sides of the same 3-2 scoreline on Saturday and Sunday. Against Sheffield on Saturday, they were on the wrong side, as the Steelers fought hard to keep their climb up the table going. Sylvain Deschatelets continues to provide rich pickings for the irony hunters among us, though, earning another man-of-the-match award in what is surely his last weekend. More fodder was provided on Sunday, as Deschatelets scored another two goals and assisted on the the other as the Devils ground out a three-two result against a high-flying Newcastle. With the Devils still looking for a forward and Gerard Adams able to move back and play on defence, coupled with a growing "Sly must stay" movement among the fans, the big Quebec-native centre is finally proving his worth-but is it too late?
Grade: B

Coventry: Two more games, two more wins in which the Blaze didn't really look like they got out of third gear. A professional performance against Edinburgh on the Saturday was followed by a surprisingly easy 4-0 win against a lacklustre Panthers side on the Sunday. The league leaders didn't do too badly in avoiding the dreaded Continental Cup Curse for the first week back at least. There are several small clouds on the horizon, however, in the injuries suffered by Neal Martin and Michael Tasker on the Saturday night. They were missing for Sunday's game at least, so it remains to be seen whether they'll be out for longer, and whether Martin's loss in paticular will affect the rhythm of the team. However, based purely on the results on the ice, four points and two professional performances gets them a...
Grade: B+

Edinburgh: The Caps fans must be wondering when this losing streak is going to end. Just the one game this weekend saw them lose five-two to the Blaze in a game during which they never really troubled the Midlands side. Doug Christiansen's men started the season with a lot of hope, but so far it hasn't even come close to being realised. Much more of this and there may be changes north of the border...
Grade: D-

Hull: Another rollercoaster weekend on Humberside saw the Stingrays split their home-and-away games with Manchester, although the loss on the Sunday was perhaps more important as it officially confimed the Rays' exit from the Challenge Cup, the home side prevailing 5-2 and gaining revenge for their 5-3 defeat in the league the previous night. Paul Cabana finally got some help in the scoring stakes from Jake Riddle and Rob Rankin, the three combining for five goals at home on the Saturday, but the defeat on Sunday shows there may still be some way to go before the Stingrays can breathe easier-they're not out of the woods yet after their nightmare recent run...
Grade: C+

Manchester: This team is nothing if not resilient. After losing 5-3 in Hull, the Phoenix simply came back out on Sunday in their own rink and quietly went about gaining revenge, which they duly did with a 5-2 scoreline in their favour, moving themselves a step closer to the Challenge Cup Finals in the process. Once again their goal difference came out positive despite the loss-the Angry Budgies forwards scoring eight goals over the weekend while their defence conceded only five. The Northerners are continuing to be a thorn in the side of the top teams, and as long as Joe Tallari continues to score and the defence continue to block shots, they look like being there or thereabouts...
Grade: B

Newcastle: From the sublime....to the slightly less sublime. The Vipers piled on the woe for Nottingham on Saturday with a somewhat surprising 4-1 win at the NIC as brawn prevailed over skill, before being outmuscled by the Devils on Sunday in their own rink, in a performance described variously as "disinterested", "lacklustre", and "very poor". The North Easterners dropped from second to third on this weekends results, and will be looking to bounce back next weekend after the Cardiff loss in order to continue their decent start to the season. Based on this weekend (with slightly extra weighting for tanking Nottingham in their own rink) they get
Grade: B

Nottingham: Oh, dear. The Panthers fans are really not happy. Shaky on defence and toothless in attack this weekend, the Big Cats were more like Little Kittens-with Robert Stancok and Rastislav Rovnianek in particular drawing the fans' ire. New signing Kevin Bergin has shown no sign so far of replicating last seasons' form in Basingstoke, and after only four games the Panthers faithful are already beginning to get on his back. Mike Ellis has said that there will be changes shortly and that players are effectively on their last chance this weekend-it remains to be seen whether this will put the claws back on the feet and sticks of the Panthers, however. Facing Coventry again, but this time in the NIC, is a game that's looking bigger and bigger, particularly with the impact it could have on both sides' Challenge Cup campaigns. However, a nightmare weekend for the Panthers means that this week they earn...
Grade: F

Sheffield: And finally, the Steelers, who will not be complaining at all after gaining a hard-fought four-point weekend, winning both their games by the same 3-2 scoreline. The Hallam Arena tenants will certainly be feeling the effects today after meetings with Cardiff and Basingstoke, both of who will fight like demons for the full sixty minutes and can beat any team on any day, no matter how highly-touted their forward line is. However, you only have to score one more than the opponents in order to win, and the Steelers managed that to perfection this weekend as their defence held firm long enough for the forwards to get the needed breakthrough at the other end. A good weekend for the perennial title hopefuls gains them the best grade of this week with a
Grade: A

Midweek action this week sees the struggling Edinburgh Capitals take on the stuttering Newcastle Vipers in a cross-border Battle of the North. Who will prevail-Doug Christiansen's Bravehearts or Rob Wilson's bruisers? I shall be watching this one closely...

More ramblings to come tomorrow-until then, keep your eye on the puck...