Thursday Thoughts and IceTunes...

And on we go...doing exactly what it says on the tin...

They think it's all over...but it isn't, yet. Despite Coventry pulling off a 5-4 win in Sheffield last night, a win which has had many handing the title over to the Midlanders, the Steelers refuse to give up and remain upbeat. The Blaze, meanwhile, could now claim the title against Belfast this Sunday, as the Steelers can now only get 80 points, while the Blaze are already on 76...

Meanwhile, down in the cellar...Hull win a game! And they didn't half pick an important one-beating Basingstoke 4-3 last night has put the cat right in amongst the pigeons in the playoff chase-Basingstoke's game in hand has now gone, and with Edinburgh on a tear and the Bison down to nine fit players, the momentum has swung right back in the Capitals' favour. Amazingly, Rick Strachan is still talking about making the playoffs, even though he admits "it's a long shot",in the same way that aliens landing in my back garden in the next thirty seconds is "a bit unlikely", presumably...

Hockey Night in Coventry: On the 18th March, a hockey night is being organised involving all the Coventry teams, from the Chargers and Chaos (my team) rec sides and the Phoenix women's team, through the juniors to the Blaze, in order to support the Beth Davis Appeal, which is in aid of a junior player who suffered a broken neck during a game in Coventry a few weeks ago and is currently being treated in Walsgrave Hospital. The details, or at least the press release talking about it, is here. I presume I'll be hearing more about this in the near future, so I'll keep you updated...

Calder's Century: Lost in amongst the hype of last night was Adam Calder getting his hundreth point of the season, thus being the first player to score a hundred points in a season, in the British league, since 1996...not a bad accolade...

And finally...IceTunes!:
It wouldn't be a Thursday without a few sounds-of-the-rink recommendations-it goes a little more indie this week but these tracks are still well worth putting on your iPod as a warmup for a hockey night...

The Black Kids: I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You: It's an absolute mouthful of a title, but the song itself is worth playing if you're looking for something nice and upbeat to accompany watching the Zamboni in a period-break...

Gnarls Barkley: Run: Best. Chorus. For a Fight Song. Ever.

The Guillemots: Get Over It: Although it sounds worryingly like the old Going For Gold quiz theme, it's still another song worth sticking on to fill in the gaps between periods...

Fightstar: Deathcar: Just because.

Brigade: Meet Me At My Funeral: This has been one of my hockey warm-up songs for years...it's perfect if you're going to play or watch a game that could get a little tasty...

And there you go...tomorrow sees Round the Rinks as we preview a weekend in which the league title could be decided...keep keeping your eye on the puck...