With the Stingrays season well and truly over, F Block Blogs attentions now turn to the EIHL Playoff Quarter Finals and predictions on which teams will take their first steps to playoff glory in the two legged first round this weekend.
Sheffield Steelers (1) v Edinburgh Capitals (8)
The Capitals have been one of the hottest teams in the Elite League in the past few weeks, whilst the Steelers have been cruising for two weeks following their first league title in five years, it would normally be the perfect recipe for an upset. Unfortunately for the Caps, the Steelers have been just too damn solid over 54 game season for anyone to envisage them losing this. However saying that is playing straight into the Capitals hands, underestimate them and the Steelers will be forced to pay for it. The Scottish side have, after all, won seven of their last nine fixtures.
Aggregate Prediction:
Steelers 8-4 CapitalsCoventry Blaze (2) v Newcastle Vipers (7)
One of the easier games to predict is this one. Although the Blaze have had the occasional blip against the Vipers this season, the Tyneside club have been stripped down to the bare bones after a series of injuries. Of course this is playoff hockey and of course this is sport, therefore anything is possible, but the Blaze will want to put to bed a bad season with a playoff victory and an ageing, understrength Vipers side are unlikely to stop the Blaze start their push for a trophy.
Aggregate Prediction:
Blaze 9-3 Vipers
Nottingham Panthers (3) v
Manchester Phoenix (6)
A tough one to call, neither side has set the league alight this season in the way that Phoenix forward David Alexandre Beauregard has, but both with stand a good chance of cup glory if they pass this stern test. The Panthers hold the slight edge in the playing stakes due to the fact they won't want to disappoint their fans who will sell out the NIC should they make it to finals weekend, but the Phoenix will want to finally claim a trophy after two cup final losses. My money is on the Panthers to edge it over a resilliant Phoenix side
Aggregate Prediction:
Panthers 9-8 Phoenix
Belfast Giants (4) v
Cardiff Devils (5)
This has a real chance of being an upset, the Giants have claimed their silverware for the season in the form of the Challenge Cup and British Knockout Cup, therefore they may misjudge a Devils side that, along with Edinburgh, are one of the form teams in the EIHL. The Devils have won their last six on the bounce, including a 6-3 win in Sheffield over the Steelers, cementing a solid fifth placed finish, so will enter the tie relishing the chance of beating the newly crowned cup champions. Of course whether Brad Voth keeps his head will be vital to whether the Devils progress, but this has cup set written all over it. Likewise, whether the deadly line of Andrew Martin, Paul Deniset and Bobby Robins are fit and in full flow, is key to the Giants chances.
Aggregate Prediction:
Giants 10-11 Devils
