Double Overtime, 27th October

Before we start this week’s Double Overtime, and in a continuing quest to bring a bit of culture to the British hockey scene, a bit of poetry, dedicated to those who follow Basingstoke in particular. Cardiff fans (and indeed any Welsh readers in general) may particularly appreciate this one…

"...And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light".

“Do Not Go Gentle…” by Dylan Thomas (1914-53)

The fate of EIHL hockey in Basingstoke is decided, according to the Basingstoke Gazette, with rumours that this weekend could be their last, at least in their current form, rendered untrue by Planet Ice agreeing to take over the team until at least the end of the season. This doesn't mean that the doors could not be closing on the Silverdome, but it's not going to happen yet, at least for this season. The question is-what happens if the problems rear up again and even the stalwarts have had enough? I'll tell you-watch the scramble for Greg Chambers if they do so-that fight could be brutal, particularly as both Newcastle and Hull will almost certainly be involved.

And so, on we go…

Things we learned this weekend:

Bison fans like a party-even if they think it’s a wake: Basingstoke v Edinburgh on Saturday-a meeting of two teams who, since then, have both come out and said that they are in serious brown stuff financially, was supposedly one of the best games of the season for atmosphere. It probably helped that the home side won quite handsomely. Which brings me on to my next point…

Edinburgh have more pressing problems then their back-up: The season just gets worse for the Capitals. seven goals conceded to a Basingstoke team who themselves could have other things on their minds (and, by the way, lost eight-nil to Newcastle the followingf night) and another nine to Cardiff on Sunday. Scott Neil has publicly come out and all but said “the money just isn’t there”, the fans are now in open revolt on the forums, and the goals are just not coming. Oh, and their next game? Coventry, at the Skydome. This could be the hockey equivalent of a massacre…they should just call the DVD “the EIHL Killing Fields” now and get it over with.

And boy, do I hope I’m wrong.

Even in losing, you can prove a point: Manchester Phoenix-best team seen at the Skydome this season…despite losing 3-2.

A wounded dragon will always spit fire: After eight minutes on Saturday, the Phoenix were leading two-nothing, and David Beauregard had several chances to all but put the game out of Blaze’s reach. Uncharacteristically, he missed. And that was as close as the Phoenix got to an upset-despite fine team play and heroics from Stephen Murphy in goal, the Blaze dragged out a win, hanging around and hanging around in a way that the Phoenix have made their own, and finally breaking their hearts with two goals in the final period. The impact they made on Blaze fans can be summed up by a text I got from a friend afterward which simply said "(puck) me, that was close...where did they come from?"

And still they deny the Phoenix...

The KO Cup: Mickey Mouse personified (unless you're still in it): Belfast prevailed over Sheffield in the KO Cup. Just. Despite the much-debated pointlessness of the competition itself, it's nice to see that the two teams went hammer-and-tongs at it over the weekend, with Belfast eventually squeaking through by the odd goal in seventeen. Just imagine what the games would have been like if it had been a cup that everybody considered worthwhile...

Every dog has his day (or weekend) in the EIHL: Want proof? Jeff Glowa: six goals in a weekend. For comparison, his highest total in an EIHL season to date is....eighteen. I bet some of you forgot he was still in the EIHL...

A big win will make anything better: Saturday-Hull Stingrays 4, Newcastle 3. Panic in the streets of Newcastle. Sunday: Newcastle eight, Basingstoke 0. Suddenly, there's hope again...
Funny, that.

And on that note-that's your Double Overtime for another week...