Round the Rinks, March 21st...

And so, the last Round the Rinks of the season begins. And, since all the issues in the EIHL league season are decided apart from the playoff battle, we'll be concentrating heavily on that this time round, not least to avoid me repeating myself eight times when it comes to the team-by-team preview. I know that this concentration on two teams may mildly miff those who don't support either the Bison or the Capitals, but I reckon reading the same thing eight times might annoy them a little more...So, this Round the Rinks is a "playoff battle special"...Two games left. Level on points. Facing each other on Sunday in a game which could well be winner takes all. Which team will prevail?

Before getting down to the nitty-gritty of the Sunday game, let's not forget that both teams have a game on the Saturday-and they're both absolute stinkers at face value, with the Bison facing Coventry at home (and the same opponents for the third time in six days) and Edinburgh travelling to Sheffield. With both the Steelers and Blaze having nothing more to play for than pride, both teams will fancy their chances of getting something out of the games, although as Bison have the advantage of their rabid crowd behind them, facing a team who they've proved they can beat twice before recently, you have to give them the slight edge when it comes to the two teams' chances of gaining an advantage coming into the epic game at Murrayfield the following day...

So, down to the Big One. Scotland vs England, Lothian v Hampshire, Christiansen vs Aldridge...look at it any way you want but the facts don't change. These are the scenarios going into the game depending on the results on Saturday...

Edinburgh win, Basingstoke lose: It comes down to this-Basingstoke have to win in regulation in Murrayfield, with the games between the two teams then being 4-2 in the Bison's favour. Otherwise, the Caps qualify.

Basingstoke win, Edinburgh lose: Capitals need to win in regulation.

Both teams lose/win: Simple. Winner of the game on the Sunday night takes all, no matter whether the win comes in regulation or overtime.

So, who will take the honours?

Why Basingstoke will win: Passion, passion, passion. The players want this, the fans want it, the ownership wants it, and the destiny of their season is in their own hands. Plus. they have some superb players in Danny Stewart, Brad Cruikshank, Greg Chambers and Mikko Purontakanen, who can change a game by themselves if need be. The Bison Ten just keep coming through, so even after their loss in Belfast last night, who's to say they won't again?

Trouble is...

Why Edinburgh will win: The Caps are so, so close. Two months ago a playoff spot was a distant dream-now all they need to do is win on Sunday. Colin Hemingway, Doug Christiansen and Martin Cingel are the major goal threats, with Mike Stutzel and Ryan Crane able to consistently provide the ammunition, and a whole host of young Scots, protected by Adam Stefishen, able to bring the energy which'll ensure the Bison Ten don't get a second to rest.

This battle really could go either way...but I'm going to err on the side of Edinburgh as victors...

Meanwhile, the other teams in the league pan out thus...

Belfast's league season is over, so they have a weekend off.

Cardiff face Newcastle in their only league game of the weekend.

Coventry face Basingstoke and also Newcastle.

Hull play just once, against Manchester.

Nottingham also face the Phoenix in their only game of the weekend.

Sheffield face Edinburgh in their final league game of the season.

On Sunday, Cardiff play Sheffield in a Best of British (read "friendly" game at the WNIR...

The only games really worth keeping your eye on this weekend are the ones involving the playoff battle, with all the other games sure to have something of a "last day at school" feel about them before competition resumes in earnest for the playoffs next weekend...

That's your weekend preview...keep keeping your eye on the puck...



Nottingham face