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Due to the fact that most ice hockey eyes were on the 02 arena, some may have missed these games.

ELITE LEAGUE
Basingstoke 6-3 Sheffield
Cardiff 3-6 Coventry
Hull 1-4 Newcastle

ELITE LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP
Manchester 3-0 Edinburgh

Performance of the night has to go to Basingstoke. Six goals against Sheffield, including a hat-trick from man of the match Derek Campbell. Newcastle got back on track. Anyone who has watched Sky sports recently will know that Hull are a tough nut to crack. Winning 4-1 at Hull is an impressive result. Manchester had a straight forward cup win against Edinburgh who, suprisingly, failed to score. Coventry continue to impress beating Cardiff comfortably. They are unbeaten in the league, in regular time this season. Only Sheffield, who beat them in O.T, have stopped them.

Sunday's Results
by 23 September 2007
Coventry Blaze 6
Basingstoke Bison 2
Result
Manchester Phoenix 2
Nottingham Panthers 1
Result
Hull Stingrays 1
CUP
Sheffield Steelers 4
Result
Edinburgh Capitals 3
Cardiff Devils 2
Result

Edinburgh complete a 100% weekend against Cardiff. Panthers trouble on the road continues. Coventry score 6 more to add to the 7 last night to complete a 13 goal, 4 pointer weekend. Sheffield win comfortably in the Cup at Hull.

Saturday's Results
by 23 September 2007
Basingstoke Bison 1 Manchester Phoenix 2
Edinburgh Capitals 4 Cardiff Devils 2
Newcastle Vipers 1 Coventry Blaze 7
Nottingham Panthers 6 Belfast Giants 4
Sheffield Steelers 3 Hull Stingrays 1

Coventry had a fantastic night in Newcastle. Adam Calder, deservedly won the man of the match award after scoring 4 goals. It had, on paper, seemed like a close match but penalty trouble put pay to Newcastle's ambition.
Edinburgh continue to impress and was never threatened by Cardiff.
Nottingham Panthers raced into a four goal lead against Belfast only to be pegged back in the second period. Man of the match Johan Molin finally made it safe with his third and Panthers sixth late in the third period. Panthers, yet to win away this season, travel to Manchester without the injured Mark Richardson and Jim Shepherd, who was given a match penalty late in the game for spearing. That could be extended after Elite league chiefs have viewed the video from the game.
Veteran Tony Hand scored the opening goal for Manchester only to see Basingstoke level. A low scoring game was finally settled by KC Timmons who scored with only 34 second remaining on the clock.
Sheffield Steelers had fairly comfortable win against Hull. The Steelers was three goals up early in the second period and despite a Jeff Glowa goal, Hull never really looked like getting back into the game.

Belfast 1 Newcastle 2

Belfast Giants Newcastle Vipers
39:12 Pavel Gomenyuk
Unassisted
49:47 Scott Cameron
Assist : Todd Kelman
53:42 Mark Gouett
Assists : Derek Campbell, Todd Jackson

Newcastle are top of the league, Belfast are bottom

Friday 21st September
Belfast Giants Newcastle Vipers

Saturday 22nd September
Edinburgh Capitals Cardiff Devils
Newcastle Vipers Coventry Blaze
Nottingham Panthers Belfast Giants
Sheffield Steelers Hull Stingrays
Basingstoke Bison Manchester Phoenix

Sunday 23rd September
Manchester Phoenix Nottingham Panthers
Edinburgh Capitals Cardiff Devils

Pick of the weekend's fixtures has to be Newcastle against Coventry. Newcastle have started the season well and will be difficult to beat at home. Coventry have hit the ground running and will be no push overs.

The home teams all won tonight and it's still very difficult to predict any result this season. Coventry made it a pointless weekend for Belfast. Manchester, who couldn't buy a goal last Saturday, gained four points beating the league leaders Newcastle 5-2. If they carry this form on, it may not be too long before some of the old Storm fans realise that Manchester still have a top flight hockey team. Hull produced the result of the night, thumping a tired Panthers 5-1. Hull fans - set your Sky+ box. Panthers have appointed Cory Neilson as a fitness director this season. If this is a reflection of his ability - Oh dear! Cardiff, after one of the longest weeks in their history, must be delighted to have been on the ice and winning. In the cup, Edinburgh provided their fans with something to cheer about with a win against the previously impressive Sheffield Steelers.

Coventry Blaze 6
Belfast Giants 2

Manchester Phoenix 5
Newcastle Vipers 2

Hull stingrays 5
Nottingham Panthers 1

Edinburgh Capitals 2
Sheffield Steelers 1 (Cup Game)

Cardiff Devils 2
Basingstoke Bison 0

Saturday's Results
by 15 September 2007
Newcastle 2 Edinburgh 0
Pavel Gomenyuk
Assists : # 10, Derek Campbell 18:32
Jeff Hutchins
Assists : David Longstaff, Ben Storey 59:59

Nottingham 3 Cardiff 2
A spirited fightback in the third period by Cardiff proved to be in vain as P.C.Druin fired a powerplay goal from the blue line to give the Panthers a 3-2 win.

Basingstoke 3 Hull 1
0-1 5:51 Rob Rankin
Assist : Bryce Thoma
1-1 Greg Owen
Assists : Greg Chambers, Kyle Peto 22:46
2-1 Peter Campbell
Assist : Gregg Wood 30:46
3-1 Peter Campbell
Assists : Kyle Peto, Steve Thornton 32:06

Belfast 3 Manchester 6
1-0 Ryan Smith
Assists : Ed Courtenay, Mark Dutiaume 4:43
1-1 16:28 Joe Tallari
Assist : Tony Hand
1-2 22:40 Joe Tallari
Assists : Tony Hand, Brian Passmore
1-3 33:07 Sean Starke
Assists : Scott Basiuk, Tony Hand
1-4 40:38 Brian Passmore
Assist : Joe Tallari
1-5 42:01 Tony Hand
Assists : Brian Passmore, Joe Tallari
2-5 Mark Morrison
Assist : Paul Moran 43:37
3-5 Ed Courtenay
Assists : Ryan Smith, Trevor Johnson 47:45
3-6 59:59 Brett Clouthier
Unassisted

Sheffield 2 Coventry 2
Steelers win in O.T
1-0 Ashley Tait
Assist : Ryan Finnerty 12:25
2-0 Joe Talbot
Assists : Ashley Tait, Ian Manzano 28:39
2-1 33:24 Dan Carlson
Assists : Adam Calder, Russ Cowley
2-2 56:43 Sylvain Cloutier
Assists : Adam Calder, Curtis Huppe
Overtime
3-2 Ian Manzano
Assists : Ashley Tait, Doug Sheppard 60:45

The fiercest rivalry in U.K ice hockey and it's first blood to the steelers. Panthers took the lead through Myers but after that it was all Sheffield as far as the scoreboard was concerned. Ryan Finnerty made it 1-1 and then Panthers old boy and man of the match Ashley Tait scored twice to give the Steelers a 3-1 lead. Joe Talbot put the icing on the cake with under 5 minutes left. Corey Neilson got one back late for the Panthers but it was the Steelers fans who went home happy. For the second game running Nottingham have out shot the opposition, this time 46 to 27, and ended up losing. Surely, their luck must change.
According to Radio Sheffield, for all you fight fans, there was a classic brawl between Shymr and Cornish. Hopefully, this will be shown on Sky Sports tomorrow.

Newcastle Vipers 4 Nottingham Panthers 2
As predicted earlier, Newcastle was able to play the powerplays better in a penalty packed first two periods and always led. Panthers players Sean Mcaslan and Ryan Shymr both recieved 10 mnute misconduct penalties.

Coventry Blaze 6 Sheffield Steelers 2
Coventry made it two wins from two games with a controlled win over Sheffield. The game included a Dan Carlson hat-trick and a knocked-out referee! Isn't it great that hockey is back!

Manchester Phoenix 4 Basingstoke Bison 7
Manchester finally opened their scoring account but found it hard going against a well-organised Basingstoke. Man of the match Peter Campbell scored and was involved in alot of the Bison's good play.

Edinburgh Capitals 6 Hull Vipers 3
Edinburgh recorded their first win of the season. Despite a second period fightback by Hull, Edinburgh was good value for their win and comfortably sealed the win with two goals in the final period. I have a feeling that Edinburgh may surprise a few people this season.

Cup Game
Cardiff Devils 7 Belfast Giants 1
Cardiff fans went home loud and happy. Apparently, locals have complained about the noise coming from the Ice Rink! If Cardiff have more results like this - They will be forced to move! Big, bad Brad Voth was Cardiff's main man with a hat-trick.

Next Weeks Games
12/09 Sheffield Nottingham
15/09 Basingstoke Hull
" Nottingham Cardiff
" Newcastle Edinburgh
" Belfast Manchester
" Sheffield Coventry
16/09 Coventry Belfast
" Manchester Newcastle
" Edinburgh Sheffield Cha Cup B
" Hull Nottingham
" Cardiff Basingstoke

Sunday fixtures
ELITE LEAGUE
Manchester v Basingstoke 1730
Newcastle v Nottingham 1730
Coventry v Sheffield 1800
Edinburgh v Hull 1800

Four more games for us tonight. Nottingham Panthers face a Newcastle Vipers team. A lot will depend on discipline and I think the team that can use their powerplay opportunities well, should win. Manchester, who played well in defeat against Nottingham will be looking for a win against Basingstoke who lost at home to Coventry. Coach Tony Hand will be hoping for goals after the team suffered a blank last night, despite having 28 shots on target. Edinburgh's fans will be looking forward to seeing some live hockey for the first time this season. They went down in Belfast last night although reports suggest that they are a stronger outfit this season. However, game of the day has to be Coventry v Sheffield. Last season's league champions Coventry carried on from last season with a comfortable away win at Basingstoke. Sheffield should be a tougher nut to crack. They will be full of confidence after last night 5-1 demolition of Cardiff.

ELITE LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP
Group A
Cardiff v Belfast 1800

Cardiff, still smarting after last night's mauling by Sheffield, will be hoping for better against the Giants from Belfast. This is a challenge cup game. It is from group A which also features Coventry, Nottingham and Basingstoke.

This is from last nights game.

Nottingham Panthers 2 Manchester Phoenix 0
A shut-out by last season's cult hero Rastislav
Rovnianek gave the Panthers an opening night victory although they were made to work hard by a well-organised Phoenix team. Patrick Wallenberg gave Panthers a well deserved lead at the end of the first period. However, the second period belonged to Manchester. Time and again they were denied by Man of the match Rovnianek and Panthers must have been happy to see the period end. The third period saw a more determined Nottingham and as Manchester pressed for an equaliser, the killer blow came when captain Sean McAslan made it 2-0 with ten minutes left. The game's only other highlight came 30 seconds from the end when Shymr and Clouthier had a fight, but neither seemed to have the heart for a tear up. It was that sort of game.

Hull Stingrays 2 Newcastle Vipers 2
Newcastle win on penalties

Sheffield Steelers 5 Cardiff Devils 1

Basingstoke Bison 1 Coventry Blaze 4

Belfast Giants 2 Edinburgh Capitals 1
Two goals from Cameron and Dutiaume gave the Giants a comfortable lead going into the last ten minutes. However, Edinburgh had a chance to take the game into overtime after Patterson made it 2-1. The giants held firm and recorded the win. From this display, it seems that Edinburgh will be tougher opposition this season.

Sat 08-09-2007 17:30 Hull Newcastle bmibaby Elite League
Sat 08-09-2007 19:00 Nottingham Manchester bmibaby Elite League
Sat 08-09-2007 19:00 Sheffield Cardiff bmibaby Elite League
Sat 08-09-2007 19:00 Basingstoke Coventry bmibaby Elite League
Sat 08-09-2007 19:00 Belfast Edinburgh bmibaby Elite League

The wait is over, the new season begins tomorrow. Reading the forums it seems like every team is confident of success. New players have been brought in by every team and the clubs are highly impressed by them all. We shall see! Looking at the pre-season results, it looks very close. Newcastle have a much stronger line-up this season as have Manchester, with no less than nine new faces. Coventry have adopted the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. Some fans have voiced concerned over the defence which is of a worry to me - I have Trevor Koenig as my fantasy ice hockey goalie. Belfast and Nottingham both look like teams that will score goals for fun. Sheffield will be hoping to recover from last years trophy-less season and pick up some silverware. Hull, who played a European style of hockey last season, will be far more North-American in their approach. Basingstoke and Edinburgh fans will be hoping that they are not just their to make up the numbers.
It all points towards a very exciting season. Highlights of key games will be shown on Sky and, hopefully, this should see some new faces attending matches.
Ice Hockey is the fastest team sport in the world. It can be a bit confusing to newcomers but trust me, stick with it and you will soon know the rules better than the officials - admittingly, not the hardest thing to achieve

Nottingham Panthers 7 Coventry Blaze 6
A thrilling encounter played between two strong teams at the National Ice Centre. In front of a crowd of 5000 (estimate) Panthers beat Blaze after coming back from a poor start which saw them fall 3-1 behind. £32,000 was raised for charity.

Time Goals
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

1st Period
0:52 Sylvain Cloutier Ass Weaver,Ndur 0-1

5:44 Huppe Ass Cloutier,,Cowley 0-2

13:19 McAslan SH ass Pelletier,,Drouin 1-2

13:57 Martin PP Ass Moore 1-3

15:42 Drouin SH ass McAslan 2-3

18:45 Drouin Ass Meyers,Richardson 3-3

2nd Period
25:15 Pelletier Ass Drouin 4-3

32:21 Stewart Ass Martin,,Moore 4-4

35:15 Cowley Ass Stewart,,Moore 4-5

36:26 Stancock PP Ass Richardson 5-5

3rd Period
40:38 Carlson Ass Weaver 5-6

41:18 Neilson Ass Drouin,,Molin 6-6

48:56 Drouin PP Ass Neilson,,McAslan 7-6

Wednesday sees the first ever Ice Hockey Charity Shield game. League Champions Coventry Blaze take on Play Off Champions Nottingham Panthers.
Coventry was the most consistent team last season and finished first in the league. Nottingham Panthers had a mixed season. They started the campaign strongly but faded mid-season, partially due to a lack of confidence in Goal Keeper Evan Lindsey. They finished strongly after veteran Goalie Rastislav
Rovnianek took over. Rovnianek was the hero when Panthers won the Play-Offs after "Three" shoot out wins.
Both teams have made new signings. Coventry fans will be looking forward to seeing Curtis Huppe who was signed from Belfast in the summer. Nottingham have old boy P.C Druin returning and will form part of a very exciting forward line-up.

Results Sunday 2nd September
Friendly Matches
Newcastle Vipers 2 Coventry Blaze 2
Manchester Phoenix 5 Sheffield Steelers 6
Cardiff Devils 6 Basingstoke Bison 6

That's it until Wednesday which sees the Charity Shield match between Play Off Champions Nottingham Panthers and the League Champions Coventry Blaze at the National Ice Arena Nottingham. All profits from the game are going to Children in Need. Ticket are only £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

The regular season begins on Saturday. Champions Coventry begin the defence of the title away at Basingstoke.

With a week to go before the start of the league season, all of the Elite league ice hockey teams had warm up games. These games were the last opportunity for coaches to assess their new players and decide on their formations. The new ice hockey season promises to be one of the most exciting for many years. Reining champions Coventry will start as favourites but will find it tough to retain the title against teams who have spent the summer strengthening their line ups.

BELFAST GIANTS 3 - HUDDINGE (Swe) 3.

Belfast played for a second night against an experienced Swedish side. Although billed as a friendly, the 87 minutes of penalties told a different story. This including a sending off for Belfast's Mark Morrison, who was guilty of tripping. The game was closer than the night before, which Huddinge won 5-3. Belfast played with much more fluency and raced into a first period 2-0 lead with goals from Ryan Smith and Scott Cameron. The Swedes fought back strongly in the second period and pulled level thanks to goals by Tommie Samuelsson and Jonas Rådlund. A much calmer third period saw coach Ed Courtenay score what looked like being a winning goal for the Giants only for Victor Ahlström to equalise. Overall, a good workout for the Giants who will be one of the favourites for the league.

Elsewhere, Hull will start the season full of confidence after beating Cardiff 5-1, Basingstoke eased to a 7-3 victory against Bracknall and Sheffield Steelers looked solid in their 4-1 win against Manchester. Performance of the night, however, must go to the Newcastle Vipers who beat last seasons champions Coventry 5-3. Newcastle have been tipped by many as a possible dark horse in the championship race. They certainly looked a much stronger outfit from the team that could only mange eighth last season.

Another contender for the league, last year's playoff champions, Nottingham Panthers were competing in a three team tournament in France. After beating Dijon 6-3 on Friday, they continue their impressive pre-season form by beating Epinal 5-4. After racing into a 4-0 lead in the first period, Panther's took the opportunity to give some of the fringe players some ice time. The result, however, was never in doubt. Today, the Nottingham outfit are supposed to be playing against Continental Cup victors Red Bull Saltzburg. This game is in doubt after Saltzburg stormed off the ice half way through their game against Dijon, claiming the tournament was not being played in a friendly spirit.

HULL STINGRAYS 5 - CARDIFF DEVILS 1.

BASINGSTOKE BISON 7 - BRACKNELL 3.

COVENTRY BLAZE 3 - NEWCASTLE VIPERS 5.

SHEFFIELD STEELERS 4 - MANCHESTER PHOENIX 1.

EPINAL (Fra) 4 - NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS 5.