It's at The 02 Arena http://www.theo2.co.uk/web/guest/homeQuote:
Originally Posted by raikk
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It's at The 02 Arena http://www.theo2.co.uk/web/guest/homeQuote:
Originally Posted by raikk
There are play offs. The top 8 teams qualify for them which is stupid because after 54 games it only eliminates 2 teams. The Challenge cup is basicly there to give a chance of someone other than Coventry Blaze a chance to win something. Although last season they won the league and the cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
How ironic it is that I was saying we needed something big to promote awareness of the league just yesterday and today it has been announced that there will be a EIHL programme on Sky Sports for the first time!!!!!
Anyway, the season starts again today, very excited.
UK Elite League round up:
Hull Stingrays 2-3 Newcastle Vipers
Basingstoke Bison 1-4 Coventry Blaze
Nottingham Panthers 2-0 Manchester Phoenix
Sheffield Steelers 5-1 Cardiff Devils
Belfast Giants 2-1 Edinburgh Capitals
Standings:
1 Sheffield Steelers 2
2 Coventry Blaze 2
3 Nottingham Panthers 2
4 Belfast Giants 2
5 Newcastle Vipers 2
6 Hull Stingrays 1
7 Edinburgh Capitals 0
8 Manchester Phoenix 0
9 Basingstoke Bison 0
10 Cardiff Devils 0
Finnish national league started with one game. Heavy eyes on those who came back from NHL and got even heavier paycheck. Also, one particular defenceplayer, a living icon of one team, moved to another. Now, half of Finland is excited, no that he playes good but will he stay sober for the whole year :rolleyes:
I somehow think we don't pay attention to what we should.
Here is how you join.. It can be a motorsport one now as there simply aint players if people joins up. its at sportingnews.
Accept this challenge and get your team now!
Here's how to join your friend's Fantasy Hockey Challenge league.
1.) Copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to accept the challenge http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com...ssword=yzerman
2.) Register/Purchase a team (or teams)
3.) Choose your team name
4.) pick your team with the given money
If there are spots still available in the league, you will be ready to begin playing.
League: NHL Hockey for fun!
Password: yzerman
Hurray ! NHL started. Norrena got a flying start for the season. Nil game and 41 saves. Needless to say he was the man of the match.
I hope this'll turn out to be as interesting season as last year :up: :)
UK Elite League table:
1 Coventry Blaze 13
2 Newcastle Vipers 12 (Come on!)
3 Manchester Phoenix 9
4 Sheffield Steelers 9
5 Basingstoke Bison 6
6 Edinburgh Capitals 6
7 Nottingham Panthers 6
8 Hull Stingrays 5
9 Belfast Giants 4
10 Cardiff Devils 2
Vipers have had a great start lets hope we can wrestle the lead from bloody Coventry.
how did you like the NHL?Quote:
Originally Posted by BTCC2
It was a great day out and thankfully it was a good game aswell after a 6 and a half hour drive.
Was very impressed with the standard of NHL as Mark In Oshowa told me it was much faster, the shooting was more powerfull and the passing incredibly accurate.
There was a fantastic atmosphere aswell, I'm not used to seeing crowds above 1,000 so it was great to see the 02 packed.
I was wearing my Newcastle Vipers top and saw plenty of other Elite league tops which was good.
The only downside for me was that I missed a Vipers game for the first time in 4 years. Fortunately we won 5-4.
Interesting but very positive goalie fight in Columbus right now. Both goalies Norrena and Leclaire started very good.
Anaheim desperately needing Selänne and Scott Niedermeier.
OMG :eek:
What a disaster for Leafs and Toskala last night. 7-1 loss to Hurricanes. I don't think the fans of Leafs are as forgiving than in San Jose.
Looks like Razer will have to start after that,...not a good start to the season.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Toskala has been nothing short of great... the team infront of him and Raycroft can't play any Defense! The numbers tell a different story then the game actually does.. another example is Toskala stopped 50 shots against the Pitts... yes 50... and let 5 in.. if you put Brodeur or Luongo in the net ... there would be no difference... the overpaid leafs defense are not earning what they have got thus far that for sure! if things continue heads will roll (mostly JFJ's and maybe Maurice?).. their defensive game is just attrotious... not justt he D but the forwards as well... having said that there are some positives like Raycroft and Toskala seem to have elevated their game because of the competition they are in against eachother... not to mention Nik Antropov has looked like one of the best players in the NHL so far.. and Mats Sundin has been a very strong presence with his 10 points in 7 games...not to mention him breaking Sittler's record for goals and points for a Maple Leaf.. Matty Stajan, Steen and Gamache have all been very pleasant to watch as well...Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
If the leafs can start playing D they will win games and be a legit contender...
I made my comment before seeing the goals conceded. Having listened to the Podcasts of 'leafs lunch' a number of callers wondered what the defense players were being coached. Most of the points were that they were far too slow, and kept turning the puck over in bad areas.Quote:
Originally Posted by raikk
As did I. Very good post raikk. I always try to look the score board to get a look of the statistics but it's different than seeing the actual game. BNut I couldn't agree more. Leafs need some major work done in d-fence. And this is coming from the Habs fan for christ's sake :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by raikk
It's really to bad because the leafs have the most goals for then anyone else in the league.. there are a lot of players stepping up and putting the pucks in the net... once the D is fixed which I think it will within the next few games I think the leafs will be strong.. but until then they arn't going anywhere without some good D infront of Raycroft and Toskala... If the D wasn't the problem the leafs would be top 4 in the east thus far.. because both our goalies are rock hard solid and our Offense is busting out... but Defense wins cups and championships..Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
Quote:
Originally Posted by raikk
I just hope all the other Leaf-fans share the same trust to goalies :up:
the smart ones do ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
I'm getting sick of these D lapses.. and Paul Maurices brain farts :mark:
Habs had a good night for a change. 6-1 over Boston :up:
UK Elite League round up:
Coventry Blaze 4-0 Nottingham Panthers
Manchester Phoenix 5-2 Hull Stingrays
Sheffield Steelers 3-2 Basingstoke Bison
Newcastle Vipers 2-3 Cardiff Devils (We were robbed)
1. Coventry Blaze 21
2. Sheffield Steelers 19
3. Newcastle Vipers 16 (Keep up the good start lads!!!, we might win the '2nd league' behind Coventry)
4. Manchester Phoenix 13
5. Nottingham Panthers 12
6. Hull Stingrays 11
7. Belfast Giants 10
8. Cardiff Devils 10
9. Basingstoke Bison 7
10. Edinburgh Capitals 6
This team (Toronto Maple Leafs) is just driving me nuts!! every post game interview they say something along the lines of ''we need to play better defensivly'' or ''we need to play better infront of Andrew/Vesa'' LIES all lies!.. V-Tok was the ONLY reason the leafs got to OT and then the shootout! When will those Defensive plus ever learn :banghead: having said that Stralman had a good first NHL game and White was ok...
Talk about banging your head; have you watched a Red Wings game this year. How can they have so much talent and just barely win the darn game. I'm starting to think the mentality of just getting into into the playoffs is starting too early in the season in Det.
I understand your delima though the Leafs are a very talented org. why they can't get it together is beyond me.
the word talented does not go beyond Toskala,Kabrele,Sundin,Tlusty and Antro thus far this season... The reason why they can't get it together is they have GM that is an idiot and a coach who has a decent system but it sacrafices defence... That being said Tlusty got 2 goals vs Pens for a 5-2 leafs win yaayy... I think it's safe to say Toskala is #1..Quote:
Originally Posted by Galveston dunes
I read your post then watched the game vs the Pens a team I have long liked to watch[1970- before crosby].I have to admit Toskala looked very impressive but #1 Dude please I watch the #1 goalies every time the Wings pay.Hasak is still poor on high shots if you can get it passed his acrobatic legs and stick swinging through the air. Further more Osgood is still undefeated-dating back to last season.Quote:
Originally Posted by raikk
To be a Goalie in Detroit,or a QB,powerfoward,or pitcher for thast matter you not only have to be great but we find you house and where you park your car and we have had people even coaches removed from our sports.I can't figure out the Millen thing in football here but look back even Sergi Federov was asked to seek employment elsewhere.You have to be good to play in Detroit.
Another lookback whould be the entire drafting decade of 1080-87,Every one who left Detroit made as captain or asst captain of the teams they went to.Even Adam Graves made it to GQ magazine as the sexiest man in hockey.
Enjoy the games and GO Detroit.
sorry I mean the leafs Starting goalie.. their number 1 goalie... Toskala I would say is about top 20 mmaaaayybe top 15ish...Quote:
Originally Posted by Galveston dunes
Toskala with another solid performance against Rangers... His numbers are going down.. a very good sign..and the leafs D awareness is going up..
Washington 7, Toronto 1.
Go Caps! :D
I'll say this much about gaolies: Luongo. Thats all that I can say. To have the talent thats in front of him and not ask to opt out of his contract for a team that can put thier marque players on the scoreboard.I watched him last year and he was great,and in thge two games already this year against the Wings he keept things close enough for them cunukadanians to beat the wings but he team failed him both times.Even our homebot Morrison couldn't get things to fall right, not to mention the two twins with a minus 7 on the back to back series.
Yep Roberto Luongo the vezna winner this year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Galveston dunes
Wan't a bet on that ?? My pick is Niklas Bäckström from Minnesota.
The loser has to praise the winners team for a 100 word post on this forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
You're on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Galveston dunes
What if neither one of them wins? Do we have to take an alternative pick. Then I'll pick Kiprusoff on my second choise.
And if niether goalie gets the vezna we both have to praise the winner with a 100 word postQuote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
jumps off buildingQuote:
Originally Posted by veeten
wow we suck :laugh: :laugh:
schmekers where are the! Leafs vs habs tommorow siggy bet perhaps?
Habs vs. Leafs tonight.
I'm expecting Koivu storm on Toskala's expence :D
To something actually worthwhile, Pelicans- Tappara 4-0
It warms the heart of a proud hater of Tampere hockey to see that kind of result.
But Pelicans will have to screw up their season soon, otherwise what's the point of having a sports team in Lahti. :D
Word.Quote:
Originally Posted by janneppi
The success of Pelicans is actually confirming that ridicilous assertion that coach can make a difference. :mark:
quite the opposite actually ;) .. great game by Toskala,, deserved #1 star...Quote:
Originally Posted by A.F.F.
pay up schmenke! :D
You got your wish. Stajak scores late in the 3rd period to lift Toronto over the Habs. Now the question is. Did Montreal faulter or are the habs in big trouble this year?
they should be alright.. just one game.. now try directing that to the leafs.. easily one of if not the most inconsistant team in the league.. Leafs win one leafs lose one by a big margin. they lose in OT, they blow a 2 goal deficit,they win one, they win another ,they get blown out... the story thus far and unless something is changed it will remain this way and RIP leafs playoffs hopes..Quote:
Originally Posted by Galveston dunes
Not to say that Toronto is the same caliper team as Detroit this year.
I would never compare the Leafs to the Wings normally; however with the Wings talent pool in the last decade, we in the Detroit area have held up posters at games asking why the Wngs were just coasting through the regular season.Believe me they could have done alot better in many years of playoffs if they would have gelled sooner.
Side note:growing up I played and was billeted out to families in the greater Toronto area. I have alot of admiration for the people and the love they have for the game.And yes I have viewed the Leafs before Felix "The Cat" was ever a proffesional goalie.
Senators are playing superbly, but by the time of playoffs they will fail.
Islanders are a surprise.
New york rangers has done it again - Overpaid for a couple of stars. Now they are tied for quite many years and unable to improve. Good job Glenny