Tuesday Thoughts...

Before I start this post, many thanks to the several people who answered my question on netminder penalties, including Adam who took the time to email, and of course Becky and Matt. It's interesting to note that all three are Phoenix fans...maybe I should whisper this but if the niceness of those three are representative of Phoenix fans as a whole than I just might be building a second EIHL team into my list of "teams supported"...

And as far as Matt's comment about "it depends on the ref" goes-this is sadly true-there would be at least one EIHL ref who'd probably be sleeping on the couch at home for a while if he gave such a penalty against the Steelers...

Anyway...on to some Tuesday Thoughts...

And we begin with some sad news...John Crook, a long-time fan and trainer of the Blaze, has passed away this morning. You may not know the name but if you've ever looked at the Coventry bench during a game you'll have probably seen him in his usual position by the bench doors, usually with a grin on his face. He was an immensely popular figure at the Skydome even with those who didn't know his name-there was outrage a few years back when he took a stray puck to the face on the bench at (I believe) a Panthers game and it was believed people in the NIC were making light of the injury. From then on he wore a half-visored helmet on the bench and was known for having time for just about anyone before, during and after games-his habit of giving random high-fives to any young child who offered made him immensely popular with young and old alike. The Blaze will be holding a minute's silence before the Edinburgh game this Sunday in his memory, but I'm sure all the readers of the Breakaway will join me in passing heartfelt condolences along to the family...requiescat in pace...

Back in the old routine...Finally, I can return to the long running debate about what people want from their hockey teams...don't worry, there's not a rant going on here...however, it's interesting that there is now a long thread on the Elite Forum discussing why crowds, while not falling, are seemingly dropping off just a little. One comment that was very pertinent was this one...
Also, it's become routine. Many people started watching 5,6, 7 years ago, and many have dropped off.

Very true...there are lots of faces missing from when I started watching and indeed got to know-and there's always comments on away trips that most of the people appear to be new. As to why they've dropped off...

There aren't many new players in the league to go and check out. You don't see the players in the bar much - they come in later and mostly go straight round to their area. So you don't feel as involved and therefore don't have that burning tug that you really should be at the Skydome.

This is also true. I consider myself a passionate fan, but recently I've had to spend money on things other than hockey (hazards of the real world) and I've just not felt as bad as I would have done a year or two ago about missing the games-mainly due to the fact that it just doesn't feel as fun as it did even a year or two ago...I consider myself a fan of British hockey as a whole rather than specifically a Blaze fan now...the constant commercialisation and push for profit has alienated me...

Ticket prices increasing by over 50 percent in the 8 years I've been watching (from £8.50 to £13) has to be a factor also...

Also, amusingly...

a friend went to a game with me before he went off to uni and went to one last month after returning home from uni/travelling etc and was appalled at the change in the music from a rock fest to cheesy family stuff. said he enjoyed the overall experience much less than previously even though the hockey was better...

And people say music isn't important at a hockey game? :)

Seamlessly linking onto the next thought...

It's IceTunes! Yes, it's your regular-ish recommendation of more stuff that (should) be rocking the rinks of the UK, and/or be on the iPods of hockey fans everywhere...just because it's been a while...

New Year's Day: I Was Right: This bunch have found the impossible in Ashley Costello, in my view-a lead singer who's even better-looking than Paramore's Hayley Williams. But enough of the visuals and my taste in girls-the song is pretty damn good as well...perfect for keeping the energy up during a period break. Ready Aim Misfire is a nice one as well if you like what you hear...

Paramore: All We Know: I couldn't leave Hayley and friends out, however...most will know this band from the hit Misery Business, which also appears on NHL 08, or perhaps crushcrushcrush. However, this is from their first album, which is just as good if not better-Emergency is a piece of perfection, but this song just trumps it....

Bloc Party: Flux: Yes, it's been around a while...but it's still a tune...

Bullet For My Valentine: Scream, Aim, and Fire: This is a great warm-up song...full-on Welsh metal. The Devils would do well to slip this into the warm-up mix somewhere...if nothing else it gives Brad Voth something to do with his hair while he's standing around...:)

Damone: Out Here All Night: If nothing else it puts into words what it's like queueing at the NIC on a game night...:)

If you turn the tables upside down, the title races would possibly be more interesting: It's a curious statistic this time round that both the Elite League and the EPL are causing more interest at the lower end than the higher end of the table as clubs battle to get into the post-season. With both leagues only realistically having two teams in with a chance of the title (Coventry and Sheffield in the EIHL-and even that's an outside shot) and Guildford and Slough in the EPL..same gap, but less games in hand) attention is turning to the playoff races. In the EIHL Edinburgh and Basingstoke are battling for the final playoff spot, with only three points in it. All other positions are realistically decided. In the EPL things are a little more unclear, with any two from Romford, Chelmsford and Swindon in the running, and three points separating the three teams. It appears that, if you want any real excitement as a neutral in either league, it might be worth your while to keep a close eye on the results lower in the table even if your team seemingly has little more than playoff seeding to play for...

That's your thoughts for this Tuesday...keep keeping your eye on the puck...