A slip up in Hull by the Belfast Giants last Sunday, losing on Penalty shots to the Coventry Blaze, has allowed the Coventry Blaze to take a 1 point lead in the Elite League title race. The Midlands team also have a game in hand on their Northern Irish rivals which will build to an interesting clash when the two sides meet in 2 weeks time.
The Sheffield Steelers last weekend became the first Elite League side, and the first UK Hockey team since the Belfast Giants, to reach the Continental Cup finals in Grenoble next month. Given their league form, further hampered by a loss in Cardiff mid week, this will come as a bit of respite to the suffering Sheffield fans, and mild bragging rights to be held against their “friends” down the M1.
In other sadder news, Dave Matsos’ young son was taken into hospital with pneumonia; all at UKHL wish him a very speedy recovery.
Hull will be pleased to snap a poor losing streak with their home penalty shots win over the Giants, a game which saw both Sean McMorrow and Colin Shields shown the door to the dressing room. Shields however has reason to resent his ejection, referee Marco Coenen doing little to stem the criticism first levelled by Dave Matsos last week.
It is worth noting that there are only 6 points separating Coventry in first place and Newcastle in 5th. Making every game leading into Christmas a vital one for those hoping to catch the Blaze and remain in the title fight. But back to back games this weekend with the Nottingham Panthers will have Giants fans keeping an eager eye on events in Coventry. Can the Blaze overcome the Panthers with the ease the Giants showed only a few weeks ago?
Full compliment of 8 games this weekend…
Friday 4th December 2009
Belfast Giants v Edinburgh Capitals; Face Off @ 7.30pm – Live Video Coverage from GiantsLive.tv
Saturday 5th December 2009
Hull Stingrays v Sheffield Steelers; Face Off @ 5.30pm – Live Coverage from @HullStingrays
Newcastle Vipers v Belfast Giants; Face Off @ 6.30pm – LIVE from UKHL
Nottingham Panthers v Coventry Blaze; Face Off @ 7pm – Live from TCW LIVE and Fire and Ice Forum MNL
Cardiff Devils v Edinburgh Capitals; Face Off @ 7pm – Live from The Inferno MNL
Sunday 6th December 2009
Sheffield Steelers v Newcastle Vipers ; Face Off @ 6pm – Live coverage from Steel Night Live
Coventry Blaze v Nottingham Panthers; Face Off @ 6pm– Live from Fire and Ice Forum MNL
Edinburgh Capitals v Hull Stingrays ; Face Off @6pm – Live Video Stream from Edinburgh Capitals Website
You can, as always, also find up to date scores and stats from many of the weekends games by visiting ih-update.co.uk
If you’re running any live updates and would like added to this regular blog, leave a comment, or e-mail updates@ukhockeylive.com
