Episode 83 - Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

May 06, 2022

Episode 83 – Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

A depleted team this week as Marty and Dave eulogize the 2021/22 EIHL season, look at all of the changes already happening toward the 2022/23 season, and turn their attention to the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs and chat about attendance figures and season tickets. Plus all the usual news bits and features you have come to expect from the Door 14 Hockey Podcast.

League Tables

The Premier Sport Elite Ice Hockey League comes to an official end following the conclusion of the Elite League Play-Off Final Weekend. The Giants were unable to secure the grand slam as Cardiff Take the win 6-3. More details below:

https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/2392-devils-defeat-giants-in-playoff-final

Congratulations to the NIHL Playoff champions the Sheffield Steeldogs. The Steeldogs went on to win the grand final in Coventry beating the Milton Keynes Lightening 4-1

More details below:

​​https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/sheffield-steeldogs-enjoy-double-delight-after-beating-milton-keynes-lightning-to-win-nihl-national-play-off-final-3676763

Period One - Local Coverage

It’s all change already following the completion of the league campaign and POFW both for the EIHL and the NIHL

Doucet and panthers part ways

It was touted (heavily suggested by Neil Black) that Nottingham would part ways with Gui Doucet following a poor 2021/22 season and move in a new direction. Nottingham Panthers confirmed this week that they have in fact parted company:

https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/2395-doucet-and-panthers-part-ways

Pacha Makes a move

While in Dundee, Omar Pacha announced his departure from the club to be announced mid-week as the new CEO of the Nottingham Panthers. A new role that will see Pacha oversee both the off-ice and on-ice products.

https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/2396-pacha-set-to-leave-stars-for-new-role

https://www.panthers.co.uk/home/220504-pacha

Finnerty changes roles

It’s all changing in Manchester too as Ryan Finnerty steps back from coaching duty to take on the role of GM. His first task will be to sign a new head coach making this the 5 new head coaches required in the Elite League this off-season.

https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/2384-finnerty-steps-back-to-take-on-gm-role-at-storm 

EIHL end of season Awards

The POFW weekend includes the annual EIHL Awards. While there were some very obvious choices, some were left puzzled at choices for British player of the year

Here’s how the awards were decided according to their votes:

Season MVP: JJ Piccinich
Coach of the year: Adam Keefe
Goalie of the year: Tyler Beskorowany
Defenseman of the year: Griffin Reinhart
Forward of the year: JJ Piccinich
British player of the year: Robert Dowd
Young British player of the year: Josh Waller

All-star team Line 1: Tyler Beskorowany, Griffin Reinhart, Jamal Watson, JJ Piccinich, Scott Conway, Marc-Olivier Vallerand

All-star team Line 2: Mac Carruth, Daine Todd, Matt Register, Charlie Combs, Brodie Reid, Mathieu Roy

NIHL and Plant Ice 

Great news for the NIHL as they agree on a three-year sponsorship deal with the Planet Ice franchise. A positive step forward for the league.

https://eiha.co.uk/nihl-planet-ice-and-eiha-agree-three-year-sponsorship-for-national-division/

Return of the Seahawks

After two years Hull will ice a professional ice hockey team in the NIHL come 2022/23. The newly formed Hull team will call to the past and adopt the name Hull Seahawks a call back to the Humberside of old.

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/other-sport/group-behind-hulls-new-ice-7029371

Period Two - International Hockey

The second period is dominated by one major story the NHL playoffs.

2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The 2022 Stanley cup playoffs have officially started and Mart, Dave, and John watch as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild, and Nashville Predators all complete in the first round of this year’s playoffs check out this year’s bracket.

https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/2022-nhl-playoffs-schedule-scores-bracket-standings-games-tv-channels/

National Team Ban

Following the completion of the KHL regular season, Sweeden and Finland announce their intention to ban players from their national teams that opt to continue to play in the KHL in the 2022/23 season.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/hockey/story/_/id/33843723/finland-sweden-banning-russian-league-players-national-hockey-teams

Penalty Box

In the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs five players were reviewed for supplementary discipline, two of which of particular intrest.

Jared Spurgeon Fined

Jared Spurgeon of the Minnesota Wild was fined for his actions in the first game against Blues player Pavel Buchnevich. The call was for cross-checking but what are your thoughts?

https://www.nhl.com/news/jared-spurgeon-fined-for-cross-checking-in-game-1/c-333702432?tid=277549076 

Kyle Clifford one-game suspension

Kyle Clifford received a one-game suspension following his boarding call on Ross Colton of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-kyle-clifford-suspended-one-game/c-333711234?tid=277549076

Period Three - General Nockey News!

European attendance figures

Following a year of COVID-19, there was concern around attendance figures for the 2021/22 season across all of Europe. This week the IIHF has released the attendance figures and compiled the top 100 teams of which the EIHL in the UK is represented by 5 teams:

6. Sheffield Steelers (up from 28)

27. Nottingham Panthers (up from 49)

37. Belfast Giants (Up from 80)

55. Cardiff Devils (Up from 122)

62. Glasgow Clan (Up from 125)

https://www.iihf.com/en/news/33333/hockey_fans_are_back

3Ice Hockey League

This offseason sees the inaugural 3Ice Hockey league a 3-on-3 multi-city league that includes a familiar name or two for fans of the EIHL and Belfast Giants.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33842599/3ice-hockey-league-reveals-inaugural-rosters 

Overtime

Two questions this episode and apologize for missing the names of those who have submitted

Q1. Now that the dust has settled after the POFW is there any lessons that the League will take from the attendance numbers etc following what can only be described as poor (no factual numbers can be found)

Q2. With Season tickets now on sale how do you guys think they have gone so far? A number of people have highlighted difficulty and poor communication, especially with the seat exchange. Also, how do you think this will impact the Giants fan section BC moving forward?

What did you think? Got something you think we missed? Got an opinion on something we already have? What do you make of our predictions for the season?Let us know, we want to hear it!!

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