Song and Dance part II

It's Thursday...and yes, I know I missed a day. This is thanks to the router in my house deciding to forget it knew about every computer in the house being able to connect to the internet, which led to lots of techie-type stuff being done yesterday which stopped me getting on until now. Luckily, it now works again, so normal service has been resumed. The second half of the song-lyric run-in preview will follow, but first...



Cats and dogs living together, mass hysteria, and Brad Voth winning a fair play award: All good signs of the apocalypse...but surely a real reason to stock up on the tinned food is that I got a prediction right! Yes, my prediction that Sheffield would win the second leg of the final but Nottingham's three-goal lead would hold out came through as Steelers won 4-3 last night. However, Nottingham take the Challenge Cup, and this time they didn't even need penalties to do it. Congratulations to the Panthers, and I'm sure the Steelers fans are looking forward to hearing about this victory for...oh, the next ten years or so...



Meanwhile, in other games: Coventry beat Manchester 5-1 in what was a spectacularly boring game, mainly due to the curse of the midweek matches...apart from a few beautiful goals, including Joe Tallari's consolation for Manchester. Bracknell won themselves the EPL Cup against Slough, and Hull somehow stuck eight past Basingstoke to give themselves a little more respectability in the league. Pity they've driven so many people away that only 300 or so were reportedly there to see it...



Lyrically blessed...and now for the second half of the lyrics-to-teams run-in preview, starting with Hull...



Hull Stingrays

"Baby, we can talk all night....but that ain't getting us nowhere"

Meatloaf: "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"

The Humbersiders tried to convince us last night that there's still life in the North East. Trouble is, like their innumerable press releases, these rare flashes of promise just aren't convincing any more. The Stingrays will finish bottom-I'm willing to stick my neck out and say that now. The sooner this season is over and the Stingrays can look forward, the better.



Manchester Phoenix:

"Don't act like you can't see me, darling, I'm coming"

Taking Back Sunday: "Spin"

I know that results say otherwise, and I know that the Altrincham side are not ones for making waves in the league, but something about them still convinces me that, when they get firing, they can pull off surprise after shock after great result. No-one ever mentions the Phoenix in connection with any trophy, but they've got one of the most lethal finishers in the league, a fiery, under-rated spark-plug who can score, and a defence which is big and criminally under-rated-mainly due to the fact that it can't hit form as a unit for longer than a few games at a time. They may not make a huge amount of noise during the playoff run-in, doing just enough to make it, but once the playoff time starts and the players know that they go home if they don't perform, underestimate the Phoenix at your peril...



Newcastle Vipers

"If we don't take action now...We settle for nothing later"

Rage Against the Machine: "Settle for Nothing"

The Vipers need to buck their ideas right up for the run-in. At the moment they're nicely set in mid-table mediocrity, cruising along picking up just enough points to do well. But that doesn't get you anything when the games become important. The Geordies, more than any other team, need momentum going into the playoffs, and discipline, otherwise they'll collapse into anarchy and make a tame exit...

Nottingham Panthers
"I want a piece of the cake, a piece of the action
I'm gonna take it to the limit
And get more than I bargained for...There's no regrets make no mistake
I gonna get what I want"
Republica: "Bitch"
The Panthers have won something. And now they'll have the taste for it. It's always been something of an advantage for them having the playoff weekend at their home venue-and with this year's team, expensively assembled and put together with much fanfare, winning is the only option. Watch them fire themselves right up for the run-in in the hope of a playoff repeat...

Sheffield Steelers
"My hand is on the trigger I'm ready to ignite.
Tomorrow might not make it but everything's all right!"
Avenged Sevenfold: "Bat Country"
The Steelers have to go for it now. Eight points behind the Blaze with one game less to play, the title is all but gone, but not quite. They have the fire and attacking power to win all the games they need to, and with the Blaze taking them on twice in the next few weeks, four of those points are eminently winnable. With the disappointment of the Challenge Cup defeat fresh in their minds, the fuel for the fire is there...all they need to do is use it.

Writer's block: I'm annoyed at the moment. I've spent several days attempting to write a long, reasoned post over just what people want or indeed should have from their hockey teams in order to improve the fan experience further. It's not quite coming out the way I want, though. Still, hopefully I'll end up marshalling my thoughts and coming out with it soon. However, given that there are a fair few supporters from all levels who read this blog, maybe I should throw it open to you all...The question is how can your hockey experience be improved by the clubs and, by extension, the leagues?

You can answer in the comments...and as always, keep keeping your eye on the puck...