A Look At The Forthcoming 2008/2009 Elite League Season

07-Aug-2008

With Sebastian Throbb

Last season ended with the Sheffield Steelers claiming the final piece of silverware in a year which saw three clubs share the spoils, none of which went by the name of Giants.

However, as always in the British game, rosters change and teams are transformed into completely different entities and the belief is strong that alongside the obvious choice of Coventry, the Belfast Giants may be contenders for the biggest of prizes, the League Championship.

The tedious success of the Blaze is such that it sickens those around them, much like the way Sheffield made the hockey nation feel when they dominated back in the 1990's. Last season they snapped up the Knockout Cup as well as fending off late challenges to be crowned the Champions of the League.

This season, their faithful will be expecting more of the same. Led by Great Britain head coach and self confessed White King of Bling, Paul Thompson, the Blaze have seen one of their main attractions depart as Sylvain Cloutier finally realised where he was being forced to live. This pain was somewhat relieved by their capture of bitter rivals Cardiff Devils' main man Sylvain Deschatelets. Anyone writing off Coventry's chances are quite frankly idiotic. They have a man who can behind the bench and a squad still bleeding talent.

My thoughts of main challenger lay with the Giants. The franchise has somewhat underperformed over recent years. But with Ed "Stick Toss" Courtneay hanging up his nasal trimmer, Steve Thornton comes in to give it a go as he seeks a first trophy for the Belfast faithful since they lifted the league title in 2006. Many new additions are somewhat unknowns, but I feel a fresh start being a successful one with players like Evan Cheverie and Paul Deniset being drafted in alongside already established stars such as George Awada.

Outside of this top two, it is difficult to see who else poses an obvious threat. I refuse to state Nottingham as challengers, not because they haven't won the League since 1956, but because they stink of fish. Sheffield under Matsos will hope to improve on last season's runners up spot in the League. The bulk of last term's squad remain, but without what at the time was their star man, Dan Tessier. Since his departure though, they have come out to state he was rubbish and did nothing. He was also allegedly spotted selling tees to nuns.

Out of the other teams I predict we will all laugh at Newcastle, we will all jostle for our seats with UFC fans when Hull come to town and we will all fall asleep when Basingstoke come to town. Cardiff and Edinburgh don't seem to have done enough to deserve more comment than this sentence provides. Which leaves the Manchester Phoenix....

So that's that.

Enjoy your season folks

Sebastian

Sebastian Throbb: Once a star centre for the Bradford Cattle, Sebastian lost his career at the age of 19 to a groin injury. Now a part time journalist for Auto trader and a keen Sports fan, Sebastian carved his name as a Supermarket Manager. Ensuring stock remains at a high in his local Somerfield, he describes himself as "Perfect" and "Curvy". He once was a season ticket holder for the now defunct London Smog, but now spreads his interest nation wide, catching up with as many old friends and lovers as he can.

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League Standings

EIHL
P	TEAM	GP	W(OT)	L(OT)	PTS
1	Giants	54	46(0)	5(3)	95
2	Steelers	54	41(0)	11(2)	84
3	Panthers	54	38(0)	12(4)	80
4	Devils	54	32(0)	12(10)	74
5	Blaze	54	32(0)	20(2)	66
6	Clan	54	31(0)	19(4)	66
7	Stingrays	54	16(0)	34(4)	36
8	Stars	54	13(0)	35(6)	32
9	Capitals	54	13(0)	37(4)	30
10	Flyers	54	8(0)	40(6)	22

full table >>

Giants' Stat Leaders

Belfast Giants Statistic Leaders
Points	Robert Dowd	78
Goals	Robert Dowd	40
Assists	Craig Peacock	49
PIM	Adam Keefe	247

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