Naturally, this means that you'll get no Double Overtime this week (not that that'll be a change from recently *blushes*) but we will take a look at the weekend now...and if I can find a decent Internet cafe, then you may get a bit of SM-Liiga coverage too. You'll definitely get a reflection on it when I get back.
A quick run-through the week, then...
"Team Tax-Dodger", they were called. But they can sure play...: Last night I went to the GB Universities v Coventry Blaze game at the Skydome, which, up to five minutes before faceoff, looked like it was going to be little more than a particularly well attended scrimmage. However, once the students, made up mainly of ENL and a few EPL players, hit the ice, they made a particularly good account of themselves-Chris Colegate of Nottingham Lions standing out along with Tom Squires (definitely a name to watch) of Sheffield. The Elite League side, who iced their full team with the exception of Peter Hirsch and the injured Tom Watkins, looked like they were playing well within themselves in a 7-4 victory in which Joe Henry got 3+2, but it was a fun night nevertheless....
Now let's look at the weekend:
DOUBLE HEADERS:
Hull v Belfast: This isn't the weekend Hull want-don't expect them to break their long losing streak if you're not the type of person who bets on long-shots. However, at least there'll be laughter in aid of a worthy cause as the Giants are all sporting comedy (and grown, not stuck-on) moustaches in aid of prostate cancer, as part of the "Movember" promotion. The Giants really are on top form at the moment, and in Jeff Szwez they have arguably the best player in the league. This could get ugly...
Coventry v Newcastle...and so could this one. Cardiff destroyed Newcastle 8-3 on Wednesday night at the Bay, and so the Vipers are wounded and looking to bounce back against a team who have taken rich pickings from them so far this season-the Vipers have won one and lost one of their games in Coventry thus far and lost both in the North East. They're always powder-kegs, these games-although perhaps less so this season after Rob Wilson moved to a style in which...well, actual hockey has been played by his team...
SATURDAY:
Edinburgh v Cardiff: After the thrills and spills of last week at Murrayfield, you could forgive the Caps crowd for being satisfied with a dull-as-ditchwater 1-0 win for their team, with the goal going in off a defenceman's backside in the final minute. However, one doubts this game will be dull. It will certainly be a different style to the freewheeling fun of last Sunday, with the Devils playing a completely contrasting style to the speedy Caps...it'll be interesting to see if the Capitals, on a run of some note recently, can tame the Devils and build some momentum of their own in the process.
SUNDAY
Cardiff v Sheffield: This could be where the thrills and spills move to...from the Scottish capital to the Welsh capital in a week, for a meeting of two teams with...well, a little history between them. The Steelers still can't get themselves going, but with this being their only game of the weekend you'd think they'll be fresh and raring to go. Then again, with things in Sheffield being the way they are currently, maybe the last thing the team need is time to dwell and insecurities to take root, recent wins or no recent wins.
That's your weekend previewed-I'll see you on Thursday...good luck to all teams this weekend...
