LONDON,U.K- Now that the English Premier league regular season has become a distant memory in many fans eyes attention turns to the highs and lows off Playoff hockey. As Peterborough Phantoms fans bask in the glory of two trophies already including the EPL league and Cup, for some the Playoffs are one last chance to bring home the silverware. 
Gone are the Wightlink Raiders as to are the Telford Tigers, but the eight remaining teams surge on. And as many children tuck into far to many Easter eggs come April 11, for four lucky EPL teams they will have the chance to battle it out at the EPL extravaganza that is the playoff weekend in Coventry. This season’s playoff format whilst not strange to many is new to the EPL. Gone are the two conference group stages replaced by a quarter final home and away series, followed by a semi final match up in Coventry before the final the following day. Like many leagues across the world the format is league winners play eighth place, second versus seventh and so on. With the quarter final match ups scheduled for this coming weekend Prohockeynews looks at the match ups and key points that the post season playoffs will bring and who will likely make the elusive trip to Coventry. Quarterfinal match ups 
Peterborough Phantoms (1) v (8) Swindon Wildcats With out doubt the Phantoms are odds on favorites to sweep the playoffs. After a successful league campaign that saw the Cambridgeshire side dominate its rivals the Phantoms are going from strength to strength in the pursuit of a third trophy. With a roster filled with quality players although not household names recently named coach of the year Colin Patterson certainly knows how to bring out the best in his players. With veteran Dwayne Newman at the back bone of the club the Phantoms will easily sail into the semi finals. On the other side of the coin the Wildcats have had a season of turmoil with coaching problems and roster changes. The Wiltshire based side will struggle against the Phantoms but if netminder Ladislav Kurdna holds firm the two game series will be entertaining for fans of highlight reel saves and attacking hockey. Unfortunately for the Wildcats I can see them just another passing on the Phantoms trip to glory. Player to watch – Nathan Rempel (Peterborough Phantoms) Phenominal goal scorer for the Phantoms. If left open will punish defensive units over and over again. Finished the regular season with 54 goals from 54 games. Milton Keynes Lightning (2) v (7) Sheffield Scimitars While the rest of the EPL watched the tussle at the top of the Flames and Phantoms many forgot about the other trophy winning side Milton Keynes Lightning. In recent times the Lightning have lacked the dominance they once had but being out of the shadows of the big three Nick Poole and the Lightning rose to within one place of stealing the EPL league title from under the Phantoms noses. The Lightning know how to win in big games and that is why they cannot be overlooked in the Playoffs. With goal scoring finesse of captain Gary Clarke and the gritty play of Michael Wales the Lightning have a well coached balanced roster that will push the remaining teams all the way. Their opponents Sheffield Scimitars did enough to finish in the final eight but without the shot stopping ability of former netminder Pasi Raitanen the Yorkshire side have struggled. If the Scims fail to tie up the free flowing play of the Lightning this series could be a very one sided affair. Player to watch – Gary Clarke (Milton Keynes Lightning) Mr consistent, leads the Lightning on the ice and leads by example. Many peoples choice as one of the best British trained players to grace the league. Can carry a team on his shoulders and is a major threat to any club with his prolific wrist shot. Excellent on the break and will look to pounce on any scraps the Scimitars give him. Guildford Flames (3) v (6) Romford Raiders The surprise team of the playoffs Romford Raiders, considering they were rooted to the bottom of the league table before christmas many thought the worse. Not Head-coach Jesse Hammil he had his own ideas, taking the reigns from Warren Rost in the new year Hammil transformed the Essex side into a winning side. Making Rom Valley Way its home ice fortress the Raiders went from strength to strength to secure a playoff spot. The form the Raiders are in they very well could be the dark horses of the playoffs.
Standing in their way are the ever deadly Guildford Flames. Although no trophies yet which by their standards is a bad season the Surrey side are hotly tipped to win in Coventry. Still reeling after their EPL cup loss to the Phantoms the Flames will see this as their last chance to win silverware and add to their impressive run of winning a trophy every year since joining the EPL. Player to watch – Jan Krajicek (Romford Raiders) Man mountain Jan Krajicek is by far the best player in the EPL. That is an big statement considering the six foot eigth is a defensman. His impressive stick play and puck carrying ability has made the Raiders blueliner top of everyones wish list. And if his playing ability wasnt enough a worrying statistic for the Guildford Flames is that whatever team Krajicek has played on has gone onto win the playoff trophy in the last three seasons. Slough Jets (4) v (5) Bracknell Bees The hardest one to call of the lot, with the added spice of a bitter rivalry. Its never a dull moment when these two meet its just a shame it wont be a repeat of last seasons final which Slough Jets triumphed. Both clubs are facing uncertain futures, with the Bracknell Bees in need of a new franchise license and Slough Jets facing the possibility of a mass exit come the end of the season. This seasons games have been tipped in the Jets favor taking the regular season series four games to two. With the attacking style of the Jets and impressive forward play by player-coach Steve Moria and Joe Ciccerello the Jets have no shortage of goal scorers. However the problem for the Jets is defense, at times this season the blue line has looked very weak. A dismal run from christmas had fans questioning the club and its management but in recent weeks it appears the team are heading in the right direction, including an emphatic 3-1 win over the Bees on the final day of the regular season. Unfortunately for the Bracknell Bees the 2008-09 season has been about off ice issues and with less than a fortnight to go in the regular season it was announced the club had no owners for the 2009-10 season. With a roster bolstering talent including Joe Greener, Peter Jasik and Lithuanian International Andruis Kaminskas the Bees have underachieved this season. But despite that the Bees are a very good club and can out perform any team on anyday, so with the added spice of a place in the semi-final look for the Jets versus Bees series to be one of the best.
Player to watch – Steve Moria (Slough Jets) Despite his youthful looks veteran Steve Moria has been round the block and back many many times. But this experience is priceless to the Jets organization. Named player of the year at the not so tender age of 48 Moria has continued to light the lamp with 42 goals and if speculation is true of a move to Basingstoke Bison the Jets will have a difficult task to find a replacement over the summer. Contact the author at Kevin.oconnor@prohockeynews.com
Gone are the Wightlink Raiders as to are the Telford Tigers, but the eight remaining teams surge on. And as many children tuck into far to many Easter eggs come April 11, for four lucky EPL teams they will have the chance to battle it out at the EPL extravaganza that is the playoff weekend in Coventry. This season’s playoff format whilst not strange to many is new to the EPL. Gone are the two conference group stages replaced by a quarter final home and away series, followed by a semi final match up in Coventry before the final the following day. Like many leagues across the world the format is league winners play eighth place, second versus seventh and so on. With the quarter final match ups scheduled for this coming weekend Prohockeynews looks at the match ups and key points that the post season playoffs will bring and who will likely make the elusive trip to Coventry. Quarterfinal match ups League winners Peterborough Phantoms (Photo by Paul Young)
Romford Raiders coach Jesse Hammill (Photo by Paul Young)
Jets veteran Steve Moria (Photo by paul Young)
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