This past weekend was the brand new shiny 20-20 Hockey-Fest trophy invented by the EIHL to give the fans something different for their weekend hockey fix. Something to bring all the fans together twice per year now, rather than the annual playoff booze up with hockey on the side.

The rules were different than normal hockey; two periods, twenty minutes per period, shortened penalties, no icing and no clock stoppage. A tournament played by all eight teams over one day with one winner at the end. It was radical thinking but an idea that might just catch on. The Sheffield Steelers ran out winners having beat the Coventry Blaze in the final. Favorites for the title, Nottingham Panthers who brought a few ringers to the competition went out early also. Read More»

…for any hockey fans living in Belfast. A comeback effort against Coventry that fell short on Friday night was followed by a shutout defeat to Newcastle on the road last night. It hasn’t been the best of starts for the Giants team, a team which by all accounts, that come directly from the fans at the games since I do not get to games myself anymore, the Giants have been very poor. Some fans even said the team look well behind the standard of last years team which only managed a 4th place finish in the league. Read More»

What more can be said about Steelers coach Dave Matsos. In his first year at the helm last season he guided the Steelers to the Playoff championship and followed it up this year with a league title, and then this weekend, another playoff crown. Surely it can only be a matter of time before a bigger team from a bigger league comes calling for this promising young coach.

Congratulations to the Steelers on dominating the major trophies this year.

It has been apparent for weeks now that the Steelers were going to win the league. Their huge lead a-top of the Elite League only needed mathematical confirmation before the trophy celebrations could begin in Sheffield and last night it finally happened. With Hull beating Coventry 4-1, the Steelers are officially now the Elite League Champions 2008-2009.

It is the clubs first championship since the 2003-2004 season but follows their playoff victory last year marking second year coach Dave Matsos as a young coach going places. In just two years with the club since retiring from the game through injury, Matsos has won the playoffs and now the league with Sheffield.

Read More»