After losing two of its ten teams, the Elite League has decided on a 56 game league schedule for the 2009/10 season, which will run from the September 5th to March 21st.
The league season will consist of four home and four away fixtures against each side, with the Challenge Cup taking on extra significance after the discontinuation of the much maligned British Knockout Cup following just four years of competition.
Meanwhile the playoffs will continue in their current controversial format with a two legged quarter final determining who will move on to the EIHL Playoff Weekend for the two semis finals.
Although this may seem the only avenue for the resource heavy Elite League, the winner will potentially have to win just three games to take home the sports most coveted prize, seriously devaluing its importance according to some.
After the departure of Manchester and Basingstoke, all of the leagues eight teams will qualify for the playoffs, meaning the Stingrays will compete in the playoffs for the first time in their four year Elite League spell.
Yet to be confirmed is a weekend similar to rugby leagues 'Magic Weekend', where a round of fixtures are played over a weekend featuring all of the leagues teams at one venue. The weekend is expected to be in October at the Sheffield Arena with full details of the special event to be confirmed in the near future.
