Another weekends finishes and once more, it’s been an education for us again as we reflect on the last few days in the world of British Ice Hockey.
So allow us to share just what we took from what’s happened after another action packed weekend.
1. Ferrara fires Coventry towards play-offs
He’s having a fine season and now Luke Ferrara is off to see if he can replicate his form for Great Britain in the Winter Olympic qualifiers, which begin this week.
The Coventry Blaze forward has picked up 11 points in his last six games as Danny Stewart’s side look to seal their play-off place in confident fashion.
It’s not a coincidence his numbers have helped Blaze’s cause enormously this season and GB coach Pete Russell could find it beneficial for his purposes this week.
Ian Watters’ late goal consigned Sheffield Steelers to two straight losses this weekend (PHOTO: John Uwins)
2. Double loss for Steelers, but fortune smiles
It was a weekend where Sheffield Steelers lost back to back contests for the first time since November and, in a way, the Gods still shined on them when other results went their way.
Belfast and Cardiff’s split double header meant the gap was only closed by a point and would have left the Steelers fans feeling relieved it wasn’t much worse by Sunday night.
There’s still a long way to go and Sheffield fans would have wished for the Giants and Devils to share the points anyway so it’s been a weekend that’s ended with a silver lining.
Fife Flyers have lost 14 consecutive games, but time is running out (PHOTO: Flyers Images)
3. Fife’s time of reckoning is coming
It’s been well documented that some kind of change is needed at Fife Flyers and as they slumped to an EIHL record equalling 14th defeat, their season continues to slip away.
This weekend could be their most important one when they take on Dundee Stars and Manchester Storm, two of the other teams locked in a fierce play-off battle.
Losses in these two could leave their top eight hopes pretty much dead and while the players remain together in trying to work themselves out of it, time is running out for them.
Murrayfield Racers have some ground to make up on SNL leaders Solway Sharks (PHOTO: Ian Coyle)
4. Racers keep winning as SNL title race far from over
Another win for Murrayfield Racers has brought them to within nine points of Solway Sharks, who have played three games more and the Dumfries side are watching closely how Racers are shortening the gap.
Tony Hand’s men came from two goals behind to beat Paisley Pirates 5-3 and will play their three games before Sharks return to action on 22nd February.
The pressure is on Murrayfield to get full points, otherwise any slip up could allow Solway to take the title and as they only need two wins to achieve this, Racers have to tread carefully.
Telford Tigers reached the NIHL National Cup final in dramatic fashion (PHOTO: Steve Brodie)
5. Phantoms-Tigers final promises a classic
Peterborough Phantoms and Telford Tigers confirmed their places in the NIHL National Cup Final and did so in spectacular fashion.
Telford took Swindon Wildcats all the way to penalty shots in a dramatic second leg, with Peterborough seeing off Hull in a 12-8 aggregate tie to set up what promises to be an interesting final.
Tigers have yet to beat Phantoms, while Peterborough won three cup competitions last season and have the experience in the one-off occasion to get the job done. We look forward to that one.
