Check out what the biggest things we took from the weekend’s action as we bring you the final word from what happened.
1. It’s not all bad in Cardiff
Yes, it was disappointing to lose both games at home and yes, it was disappointing to lose both games to Belfast Giants, but have a look at the league table for a minute.
Cardiff are only three points from the top of the table and have some games in hand so the end of the world rumblings coming from Wales can stop now.
Disappointment is to be expected, but you’d think they lost the games and have ended up relegated going by some of the reactions. Guys, it’s fine. There’s nothing to worry about.
Goal for Manchester Storm, but their win this weekend couldn’t help them up the table (PHOTO: Mark Ferriss)
2. No ascendency for Storm and Stars
You can just imagine it when Omar Pacha and Ryan Finnerty are delighted picked up wins their games this weekend, only to find they haven’t moved anywhere in the standings.
Their Dundee Stars and Manchester Storms each won a game each, but sadly for them, Guildford Flames, Nottingham Panthers and Fife Flyers all celebrated victories above them.
If ever we needed reminding about how competitive this league is, this is it as everyone continues to cut each other’s throat.
A four point weekend for Sheffield Steelers sets them up nicely for the midweek visit by Belfast Giants (PHOTO: Scott Wiggins)
3. Steelers and Giants is going to be a cracker
Both teams won their games this weekend and now they’ll duke it out live on television with places around the top of the table.
Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants have no love lost between them and it makes Wednesday’s game, live on FreeSports, all the more interesting.
Giants have come through a tough test in Cardiff while Steelers had to overcome Nottingham and Coventry so now their sights are trained on each other.
With the home team winning in this fixture eight times in the last nine, recent history suggests Steelers may come out on top. We’re not sure what way it could lean.
Some injuries meant Clan coach Zack Fitzgerald had to swap the suit for skates on Saturday (PHOTO: Al Goold)
4. Clan might need a doctor
With four key players on the sidelines, the dressing room at Glasgow Clan is starting to look more and more like an A & E waiting room with every game
Travis Ehrhardt was the latest player to sit out, missing Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Guildford Flames and joined Craig Peacock, Mathieu Roy and Scott Tanski on the treatment table, meaning coach Zack Fitzgerald had to dust off the skates and play again.
With no news on whether these guys are returning any time soon, you would hope it will be sooner rather than later, the question is being asked. Is there a good doctor out there or will Clan have to delve into the market for backup?
Jason Hewitt scored two hat-tricks over the weekend to help Hull Pirates to a four-point weekend (PHOTO: Hull Daily Mail)
5. Hewitt and his six of the best
He may have crept over the mid-30 mark, but it seems there’s no stopping Hull Pirates player-coach Jason Hewitt as he was back among the goals this weekend…and wasn’t he just?
Six goals over the two games gave Pirates maximum points over Leeds Chiefs away from home in a 6-4 triumph, followed by a same score win over Basingstoke Bison as Hewitt led the way.
All in, a great weekend for Hull and especially one for Hewitt as he shows the young ‘uns just how it’s done. What have we learned? We’re tired from just watching him.
