Round the Rinks and more...

A few points before we start our trip round the rinks...

Way to motivate your team, Neil: Neil Black has chosen now to come out and have a public go at Mike Ellis in the Nottingham Evening Post, saying effectively that his job is on the line thanks to a few dodgy results against the smaller teams. This has received nothing but condemnation from Panthers fans on the Cage Forum, and I'd probably agree with them-Mike Ellis is probably the best young coach in the league, and is slowly building a strong foundation in Nottingham-winning two trophies in two years isn't the worst return in the world, considering that Belfast have won none, and Sheffield have only won one in the same period. With both Belfast (definitely) and Sheffield (possibly) on the recruitment trail this summer, Ellis will have plenty of options if Black does let him go...

Game on...just: The Steelers did their thing last night, completely making a mockery of my prediction by destroying the Giants 6-1, and moving within four points of the Blaze in the process. If nothing else it means that the title race will go on just a little longer.

Legal Issues: It appears that the issue with Euro law as regards to trades is indeed the "forced movement" side of things-the way round it would, I suppose, provide all contracts with a kind of "no-trade clause", so the move only happens if players are willing to move. Trouble is, that effectively nixes all trades because I really can't see players from top teams willing to move. Maybe it's worth having a look into Euro law...I still think that North American players at least would accept it purely as a hazard of the job, and British players would learn to live with it...it's a pity that an employment law is the only thing stopping the game potentially adding a whole new dimension to the British game...

Right, with that done, it's now back on to Round the Rinks....

Basingstoke: It's a big game at the Silverdome tomorrow night, as the Bison take on their nearest rivals for a playoff place in Edinburgh, in a game which has massive implications-if the Bison win they strike a vital blow to the Caps' playoff aspirations while at the same time doing themselves a huge favour...

Belfast: The Giants face Newcastle tomorrow in the hope of bouncing back from their tanking last night at the hands of Sheffield. However, with morale down amongst the fans after last night's capitulation and the Vipers still holding out hopes of a top three place, this will be no easy task for the reeling Giants...

Cardiff: The Devils have the ideal opportunity to earn themselves four points, with a double-header against a Hull team who are now only playing for pride, as their innumerable press releases this week have told us, and at the same time give themselves a bit of room in the battle for playoff seedings, being level on points with Manchester...

Coventry: Nottingham and Edinburgh are the latest teams hoping to do themselves and Sheffield a favour by halting the Blaze juggernaut. The Blaze have had some trouble getting results at the NIC this season, so the Panthers will be hoping to go one better than their overtime loss last weekend. Edinburgh will be no pushovers on Sunday either, but the Blaze will be eyeing maximum points to take them two wins nearer their third title in four years...

Edinburgh: Basingstoke and Coventry are the games which could see the Caps take a huge step forward in their playoff chase...a win and OT loss (in that order) would see them go above the Bison for the first time...an event which can't be underestimated for its psychological impact...

Hull: In their quest for nothing more than pride, the Stingrays take on Cardiff home and away this weekend. One wonders which Humberside team will turn up-they're not the greatest at winning whether playing for pride or points-their capitulation in the second leg of the KO Cup semi was only the latest example of that. It would be ironic if the Stingrays finally decided to put together a winning run now that all hope of getting something out of this season is gone...

Manchester: The Phoenix face Newcastle and Sheffield in their chase for sixth place-it could be a tricky weekend for the Altrincham side against two sides who have their own reasons for needing points this weekend. The Phoenix can give anyone a game, though, and will be looking for four points in order to give themselves a potentially "easier" playoff opponent by finishing higher in the league, so both games will be worth watching...

Newcastle: Two away games against Belfast and Manchester are on the agenda for the Vipers as they try and make up a almost-insurmountable ten point gap on the top three. Some may consider these games something of a hindrance in the run to the playoffs, but the Vipers need wins in order to get the MRA crowd behind them-the North East crowd have had a somewhat stormy relationship with their team this season and will need reassurance from their team going into the playoffs...

Nottingham: Coventry are the only opponents for the Panthers this week, coming to the NIC, where they've had considerably less success than elsewhere this season. The Cats will be hoping to continue that trend, and Sheffield in particular will be behind them...

Sheffield: The Steelers are after points at this time of the season, because every one counts in a title chase. They only have the one date this weekend, against Manchester at the Hallam Arena. With Blaze playing two games, this is a weekend where the Steelers can not only make up two points but also come one game closer to the Blaze in terms of games played...there will be as many Steeler eyes on the events in Nottingham tomorrow night as in their own rink, and all Yorkshire hockey fans will be roaring on Edinburgh on Sunday...

That's your Round the Rinks for this week...keep keeping your eye on the puck...