NEWCASTLE, UK – This coming weekend over 5,000 British hockey fans will be descending upon the National Ice Centre in Nottingham for the Elite League Play Off weekend. The 4 top teams in the Elite League (in terms of league position) qualified for the weekend which should ensure fans are treated to some great action over the final 3 games of the season. The first semi final line up sees Elite League Champions the Sheffield Steelers take on their bitter rivals the Nottingham Panthers while the 2nd semi final sees Cardiff Devils take on the Belfast Giants.
Steelers Jeff Legue
The weekends opening game promises to be competitive and feisty affair as the Steelers make the short journey south to take on the Panthers in the N.I.C. Sheffield have had the upper hand over Nottingham for the majority of the current campaign and Steelers Coach Ben Simon will no doubt instruct his side to get in the face of the Panthers players from the drop of the first puck. Panthers have struggled to keep their discipline against Steelers at times this season and if Corey Neilson’s men run into penalty trouble I would expect Sheffield to make the most of any powerplay opportunities that come their way.
Panthers Jade Galbraith
Nottingham do have a wealth of offensive talent in their line up as the likes of Jade Galbraith, David Clarke and Rob Bellamy are all capable of having a major effect on the outcome on any Elite league match up. However I just feel Steelers could be a little too strong for the Panthers and that Ben Simon’s well drilled roster could well progress through into Sundays final.
The second semi final which sees the Cardiff Devils take on the Belfast Giants is a repeat of last years final and the Devils will be eager to gain revenge for their loss in Nottingham last April. Devil’s have had a superb campaign and Gerad Adams will be hoping that his side can maintain the superb form they displayed in the last few weeks of the regular season. It appears that many neutrals will be throwing their support behind Cardiff this weekend as the Devils have earned themselves many admirers for the way they have played this term.
Devils in action
Giants are yet to pick up a trophy this season and Belfast Coach Doug Christiansen will be desperate for his side to taste play off success after being beaten in the Challenge Cup Final and finishing just a point behind Champions Sheffield Steelers in the league standings. Belfast’s resolute defence should ensure they give any side they face this weekend a tough test and with forwards such as Colin Shields, Josh Prudden and Dan Welch in their ranks the Giants look very capable of making a genuine challenge for the play off crown.
If your not lucky enough to be heading along to the NIC, game by game reports will be published on prohockeynews.com during the course of the weekend.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography
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