Round the Rinks Christmas Special, Part 2. Rivalry Weekend

Given that Wednesday and Thursday are days in which I, along with everyone else, may have other priorities thanks to it being Christmas, I thought that we'd get this weekend's Round the Rinks out of the way nice and quickly and preview the games for Boxing Day weekend (i.e 26th, 27th and 28th) now...especially as there are three highly intriguiing double headers, including the Elite League's two premier rivalries, taking place this festive season...but first of all, have a quick gander at the Cats Whiskers attempt at carol-singing as they re-work Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (although Blaze fans may wince a little at it)...

On we go then-let's plunge into the fixtures over the festive period...

We begin, of course, by looking at the Christmas double-headers, all of which hve the potential to cause more conflict than your family struggles over the remote on Christmas Day...Sheffield v Nottingham, Manchester v Newcastle and Cardiff v Coventry

Panthers v Steelers

In what has become something of a tradition, the self-proclaimed "biggest rivalry in British hockey" is renewed as the two teams meet in Sheffield on Boxing Day and Nottingham on Saturday 27th. With the Steelers dropping points over the weekend and the Panthers on a massive high after forcing the Team Hollywood tag back down the Blaze's throats on Sunday. These games are both sure to be played at a furious pace, with no room for those who've over-indulged the day before. Christmas spirit will be well and truly out the window in this one, with the anticipation already building in both cities (well, at least for those who watch hockey). There's so many storylines in this one-Michel Robinson facing the ultimate test-will he hold up? Dan Tessier-will he shine or disappear as he returns to Sheffield again? And can the Panthers do the Blaze a favour? One things for sure-both games will be crackers.

Blaze v Devils

Meanwhile, another long-standing rivalry is renewed as Coventry face Cardiff, with the Blaze making the trip to the Welsh capital on Boxiday Day and the return leg on Saturday. The Blaze badly need to get themselves back on track after Sunday's reult, while the Devils, on the other hand, would love to heap further festive misery on their rivals while at the same time pushin themselves back into the reckoning towards the top of the table. These games may be played in a slightly different atmospher off the ice to those in Yorkshire and the East Midlands (this rivalry is built on a foundation of mutual respect rather than dislike) but on ice the action will be just as intense, and both teams and sets of fans will put their friendships aside for the sixty minutes of each game. If you can't get a ticket for either Steelers-Panthers game, or just don't fancy suffering Dave Simms and friends two nights on the trot, then this one is well worth a watch instead-you won't be disappointed.

Manchester v Newcastle

Lost somewhat in the razzle-dazzle of the big two rivalries, the Phoenix and Vipers will meet twice in a battle of two teams on the up. Since the arrival of Ed Courtenay and Jeff Hutchins, helped by Likit Andersson, the Vipers have looked a different team to the outfit that disappointed so heavily in the first few months of the season. The Phoenix, meanwhile, have consistently impressed thorughout the seasonand will now be viewing games like these as must-wins rather than can-wins as they set their sights on challenging at the top in the New Year. With both teams able to mix it as well as play the skilled stuff, these two games should both be intriguing, close-fought battles, with it being almost impossible to predict a winner.

Leftovers

OK, I accept that using the term "leftovers" may be harsh-but here are the other games taking place on Saturday and Sunday:

Hull and Belfast are both in action twice this weekend, as the Giants take on Edinburgh and Hull face Basingstoke on Saturday, before the two teams meet each other on Sunday in the only game of the day. The Giants will be looking to bounce back and take revenge for Sunday's loss against the Capitals, while the Stingrays will fancy their chances against the Bison. Sunday is a game which could go either way-the Giants have learned not to take the Stingrays lightly after losing to them at the Odyssey earlier in the season, and the Stingrays, injuries or not, may fancy their chances of pulling off another upset...

There you are-that's all your festive fixtures previewed for this weekend-tomorrow the Breakaway finally gives into Yuletide and hands out some Christmas presents to the EIHL-you may even get a few carols (suitably reworded) and a few mince pies too as the blog makes what will likely be the last posting before Christmas...

Keep keeping your eye on the puck...