Trading Places

For those of you wondering where on earth this blog had gone, there's good news and bad news.

The bad news is that elite hockey today won't be seeing much action from now on, but the good news is that I've now got a "proper" blog on skysports.com. Here's the first offering, thanks for watching and hope to see you there.

Fear Factor

Forget the latest horror films, Jay Latulippe is bringing the real fear factor back to Cardiff Bay this season.

Playoff Positives

Now that we've moved past the storm in a teacup that was the state of the EIHL, for the time being at least, isn't it great to throw around some rumours and eyeball AHL journeymen that you wouldn't mind seeing on your team next season?

Normal service resumed, eh?

Still, playoff weekend was anything but normal thanks to the intense speculation in the week leading up to it. It started in controversy, and thanks to the celebrations of the Steelers it ended that way too.

That said, it's refreshing to know that the British game was still able to do what it does best - make you recognise just how great this sport is.

One Number One

Team GB head coach Paul Thompson no longer faces a 50/50 decision.

Instead of having to make the difficult choice between Stevie Lyle and Stephen Murphy, Thompson simply has to pencil in "Lehman, Jody" on his line-up card.

Now that Lehman's followed in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis, Greg Rusedski and Lesley Vainikolo and is prepared to sing along to God Save the Queen, Thompson's decision has been made for him.

Having applied for British citizenship, Canadian-born Lehman is now eligible to play for the national team and Thompson has drafted him into his thirty man roster for the upcoming World Championships.

And after four years on opposing sides, Thompson is thrilled to be reunited with the man he brought into the country seven years ago.

Lehman has been playing in Britain since 2002 when he was signed by Thompson to play for the Coventry Blaze before moving on to play for the Sheffield Steelers in 2005.

After guiding the Steelers to the playoff title in 2007/08, Lehman has now added to his trophy haul by winning the Elite League championship.

“It’ll be a nice thing (to have Jody back on my team),” Thompson said in an exclusive interview with skysports.com.

“He makes us a better team right from the off. Sheffield have been the most consistent team and Jody has won them games this year. Hopefully he can do exactly the same for Great Britain.”

The initial squad of 30 will be reduced to 23 before the World Championships begin on April 11 in Torun, Poland.

But Lehman, who leads the Elite League with a 2.15 Goals-Against-Average and a 92.9 Save Percentage, is a certainty to make the final roster.

“He brings a winning attitude,” Thompson added.

“I know him really well – I brought him into the country and we won the Grand Slam together. He’s one of those guys who if he gets a sniff of success – it’s hard to stop him. They’ve got a great team in Sheffield and they deserve to be where they are.”

While Lehman's arrival makes Team GB better immediately, the only negative side of it is that Murphy and Lyle are now on the outside looking in, essentially competing to be number two. But both goalies could still see some action next month, perhaps against one of the weaker teams in the group or depending how results go.

Results haven't gone so well for Thompson's Coventry Blaze against Lehman this year. Coventry have only beaten Lehman and the Steelers once in six attempts this season and Thompson believes that the All Star goalie is in the form of his life.

“I think he’s been better this year than he was in the Grand Slam year in Coventry,” he said.

“Jody’s making the crucial saves at crucial times. He’s very proud to be a part of the GB set up as it’s something that he’s wanted to for a number of years.”

Josh Garbutt's Bus Ride from Hell

It can't have been much fun for the Bison last weekend as they stalled en route to Altrincham. But, as they say, it could be worse.

While Eric Braff called the RAC, Josh Garbutt and his Phoenix team-mates were hanging around wondering if they would have a game. And when news came through that the Bison couldn't make it, Garbutt couldn't help but be a little sympathetic.

He's been in the same position before. In fact, an even worse predicament, as he told the Phoenix game programme...

"When I played in the CHL for New Mexico we were taking a long trip to Laredo, Texas. The bus ended up breaking down in the middle of nowhere and it was about 85-90 degrees outside. We were obviously a little concerned with what was going on and we ended up being stuck in the same spot for about 12 hours.

"We ended up getting a bus out to us and then flying to Laredo. I’ve been in some frustrating situations and it’s part of life I guess. You’ve also got to understand that there are safety regulations towards taking your kit from one bus to another as it’s busy on the motorways.

"It’s disappointing that we had to cancel the Bison game, but we can still play the game and jam it into our busy schedule."

Beauregard: Hot Streak

You wouldn’t even notice it for most players in the league. But for a player who is on course to shatter the 100-point mark, any night when David Beauregard fails to get on the score sheet appears strange.

So strange in fact that four games passed by recently without Beauregard lighting the lamp. By his high standards, it was a slump. But it didn't last long.

“I was expecting a small slump at some time, but in my slump I had chances to score so I wasn’t so worried,” Beauregard told the Phoenix game programme.

“I know that teams are really trying to stop our line. And it’s getting harder and harder, but I wasn’t expecting to keep this pace all year long. I knew that if I kept working hard and kept my confidence high I would find a way to get my game back.”

After he ended his four-game drought in the Challenge Cup semi-final against Basingstoke on February 4, Beauregard started another scoring streak that has seen him edge closer and closer to Joe Tallari's 55-goal haul from last year.

In the last six games heading into the weekend double-header against the Bison, Beauregard has tallied nine times, including a marker in the Knockout Cup win against Newcastle.

“Our line had a rough month, but we’ve been trying hard and a slump can happen at any time,” Beauregard continued.

“If teams try to stop you more than normally then you have to work harder and try new stuff to get back.”

Off-Colour Commentary?

Just like the players on the ice, David Simms and Brett Clouthier will be putting rivalries aside in the EIHL All Star game.

In Thursday’s star-studded event at the Coventry Skydome, which will be televised this weekend on Sky Sports Xtra, Manchester Phoenix enforcer Clouthier will trade verbal jabs with play-by-play man Simms in a comedy double act.

Brent Pope, who commentated on the World Junior Championships for Eurosport, and presenter Nick Rothwell will also be on hand to cover the action.

Fans can expect to hear plenty of funny remarks from Clouthier, who has been impressive on Sky Sports TV with his quick wit.

“I have to say that Brett Clouthier has been one of the more humorous colour commentators that we’ve had,” Simms told skysports.com.

“And that’s because he’s six-foot-five and tough enough to get away with it.”

Clouthier wasn’t selected to the game, but his wish to do commentary was granted and he’ll be one of several Phoenix players at the event.

His team-mates Kenton Smith, Adam Walker and David Beauregard will line-up for the North, but Manchester’s player-coach Tony Hand was forced to pull out due to a hectic schedule.

Other All Star selections include Team GB playmaker Greg Chambers, Newcastle’s standout goaltender Andrew Verner and Sheffield defenceman Rod Sarich.

“I’ll be surprised if we don’t see at least 15 goals,” Simms said.

“There should be some unbelievable skills on show because there is some serious talent on both rosters. It won’t be an intense battle, but that’s not what All Star games are about – they’re about skill.”

You can catch the game on Sky Sports TV at the following times:

Fri 20th, 7pm, Sky Sports Xtra

Sat, 21st, 2am, Sky Sports Xtra

Sat, 21st, 6am, Sky Sports Xtra

French talks Playoffs

Elite League Director of Hockey Andy French has told skysports.com that the playoff finals are the spectacle of European ice hockey.

Tickets have gone on sale for the final four weekend, which takes place in Nottingham on April 4th and 5th.

The Nottingham Arena will again host two semi-finals on the Saturday before a junior international between England and Scotland and the playoff final on the Sunday afternoon.

The Elite League have announced that ticket prices will remain the same as last season and French said that he expected another great weekend.

“The playoff finals at Nottingham get huge crowds and always have,” French told skysports.com.

“It’s a big success. It’s very difficult to get tickets for it year in, year out and it’s very successful. It’s hard work but it is good. I enjoy it after doing a few playoff final weekends behind the scenes.”

Previously the road to the final four weekend involved two groups of four with the top two in each group qualifying. However, in recent years that has been replaced by a knockout format with quarter finals ties contested over two legs.

“I think we went to this new format and it’s created, in my opinion, a situation that’s way better than when we used to have the groups,” French added.

“I think it creates more interest for the fans and each club should get full houses (for the home playoff quarter final) especially if the first game is close.

“The next week (in Nottingham) you’re at what’s become the spectacle of Europe.”

The winning team last year was the Sheffield Steelers, who defeated Cardiff and Coventry en route to collecting their second playoff championship of the Elite League era.

The Steelers are the only team to win the trophy twice since the formation of the EIHL with Nottingham, Newcastle and Coventry also tasting victory.

Thompson: Tough Call

It wasn't easy picking the All Star teams.

If Paul Thompson just had to pick the best players it would probably have been more straightforward, but since he had to fit in 4 players from each team there was always going to be someone left out in the cold.

Thompson had to perform a balancing act to fill the roster spots, and in an interview with skysports.com, he revealed that the competition for places was so great that he could have picked an entirely different team.

“I could have picked a team of different guys and I suppose Dave Matsos could have done the same,” Thompson said.

“It’s tough picking two imports and two imports from each team because there maybe better players, but you’re trying to pick so many defencemen so many forwards.”

The notable absentees from Thompson's squad include Sylvain Deschatelets (23+44, fourth overall in scoring), Dan Tessier (17+44, ninth overall in scoring) and Mike Prpich (24+21, leads Cardiff in points).

Still, it's difficult to argue that any of the imports in their place don't deserve to be there.

Thompson picked from five teams representing the South – Coventry, Cardiff, Hull, Basingstoke and Nottingham – and tried to base his decisions not just on points, but on players’ all round contributions.

“Take a guy like Bruce Richardson from Nottingham (who’s been selected),” Thompson added.

“He’s a guy who I think has been their heartbeat, but he may not be their best player. You try and pick guys who have performed steadily throughout the season for their team and not just in the scoring department."

Stingrays: The Blueprint

Rick Strachan was the architect of a major heist in Cardiff Bay last night, designing a robbery that left the Devils dumbfounded.

What Strachan and the Stingrays stole of course, was the two points from the Devils by staging a third period comeback. Sure, it was a lucky escape, but the Rays are overdue in that department.

Most would see the crucial part of the game as the last five minutes. But that wasn't how the job was done. The Stingrays won the game in the opening forty minutes, despite being outscored 1-0 over two periods.

"What?" I hear you ask. Let me explain.

After Wes Jarvis gave the Devils an early lead, the Stingrays didn't deviate from their tried and tested game plan. Hence, the Blueprint.

“The whole game plan was to keep it close until the third period and to try and get a break and we did,” Strachan said in an interview with skysports.com.

“We don’t have enough guys to open it up and we have to play very conservatively.”

After going down early, most teams wouldn't wait so long before going all out to even the score. But the longer it stayed at 1-0, the more chance the Stingrays had. Strachan knows he can't allow his team to go down 2-0 on the road, but 1-0 is manageable. All it takes is a lucky break. And the Stingrays got one when Pavel Gomenyuk sent the puck towards net and it hit a skate and crept in. 1-1.

Credit the Rays for sticking to their guns. They dodged some bullets themselves as the Devils pinged shots off the iron, but they were still standing in the third period. Like a prizefighter weathering an early onslaught, the Rays stayed on their feet, dodging the knockout blow, knowing that they had a puncher's chance.

The Devils weren't firing on all cylinders and another team would have put the Rays to sleep. For the fans that stayed awake in what was a rather dull affair, they witnessed a comeback that had been on the cards for awhile.

“At the end of the day we didn’t play great and Cardiff were probably the better team, but we took the two chances we had,” Strachan said.

“(Gomenyuk) just threw the puck on net and it hit somebody and went in. Then we had the momentum and were feeling good and in the last few minutes they got a penalty and we scored on the powerplay.”

When Cardiff centreman Jay Latulippe was whistled in the final two minutes of regulation, the Stingrays perked up. No longer were they having to play on the back foot. Strachan knew it and seized the moment, calling a timeout with the game on the line at 1-1.

The Hull coach grabbed his wipe-away coaching board and motioned to the right wing, suggesting that the Rays move the puck back to the blueline after, hopefully, winning the draw. It proved to be the second time that he drew up a successful plan.

“Because I’m right handed I always draw on the right side of the board,” Strachan admitted.

“We have left handed players who work it on that side and I said: ‘Let’s not get fancy – let’s just get the puck from low to high and get it to the net and see what happens - hopefully one will go in.’"

Bingo.

Gomenyuk pinpointed a laser through Peter Aubry's five-hole. From where? You guessed it: The right wing blueline after the puck was sent back from down low.

The Devils had been well and truly rope-a-doped. Strachan had produced another blueprint for success. And it was even sweeter for Gomenyuk after he was berated by Cardiff defenceman Doug MacIver in the second period for a series of questionable hits.

With the Stingrays still missing Matt Reynolds, Stuart Kerr and Jamie Thompson, it won't work every night. But for the second straight Sunday, the Stingrays crept away with two points.

Job Done.

EIHL: French talks Rivalry

Which teams are the biggest rivals in the Elite League?

There's no doubt that Sheffield-Nottingham games generate the highest attendances, but what about the most intensity? In other words, who hates who more?

Andy French, the Elite League's Director of Hockey, has an interesting take on the league and the rivalries within it.

“There’s a lot at stake, especially with Belfast and Coventry playing cup games against each other soon,” French said in an interview with skysports.com.

“It seems that there’s a bigger rivalry now between Belfast and Coventry than Cardiff and Coventry. I might be completely wrong, but that’s me looking from the outside in.”

After Wednesday's Challenge Cup semi final, the Giants and Blaze also face-off in the league in February, renewing a rivalry that French believes is now one of the hottest in the EIHL.

Belfast have been the only team in the last four years to break Coventry’s stranglehold on the league title.

However, the ascendancy of the Steelers has shaken things up at the top of the table and it’s also given French plenty to deal with following their fiery games with the Cardiff Devils.

“I think there’s a higher intensity now between Sheffield and Cardiff than Sheffield and Nottingham and that’s how it goes,” he said.

“It’s probably down to who signs who and who’s on the rosters from the previous year and they feel it’s going to go.”

And he says it's still to early to pick a winner.

“Almost everybody has beaten everybody else in the league this year,” French said.

“There are a lot of games to be played and I wouldn’t want to pick who’s going to win the league.”

check out elite hockey today in February to hear more
from EIHL Director Andy French

Blaze: Playing Catch-up

If Paul Thompson guides the Blaze to the league title having just seen the Steelers take a nine-point lead at the top of the table by beating Belfast 2-1 on the road, he's going to need Blake Forsyth and Erik Hjalmarsson to deliver the goods.

With games in hand and fixtures against Sheffield coming up, the Blaze can get right back in it and Thompson's counting on the Canadian defenceman and Swedish forward for a late-season shot of adrenaline.

“Blake Forsyth looks like the real deal,” Thompson said in an interview with skysports.com.

“He’s come in and been solid and steady and I’m happy with his contribution so far. He got the game-winner against Edinburgh this weekend so we can’t be disappointed at all.”

The Blaze don't appear to have fully recovered from losing the core of last year's team, especially defenceman Neal Martin. Corey LeClair had the unenviable task of filling Martin's skates, and made way for Forsyth to come in, although Jon Coleman guested on the blueline for a while. Now with LeClair and Coleman having provided a buffer between him and Martin, maybe Forsyth can help Blaze fans finally forget.

After replacing underperforming forward Scott Kelman with Hjalmarsson, Thompson is pleased to see something in the Swede that he hasn't seen all season in his current squad.

“He’s been out with an injury for three months and is only three games back in,” Thompson added.

“He’s a little short on fitness, but I saw glimpses of things he can do which we don’t currently have on the roster. We’ll work hard with him over the next week to get his fitness levels up.”

With the Blaze playing four of their next six games against top four opposition, it won't take long to figure out just how good they are.

Coming soon on elite hockey today: We hear from Andy French, the EIHL's Director of Hockey, as he discusses discipline, rivalry and the playoffs.

Stingrays: Out of Luck

Paul Moran has been an Elite Leaguer from the beginning.

However, after suffering another dislocated shoulder he's been ruled out until next season and his long-term future is suddenly cloudy.

Fortunately, the British league is the place for comeback players and Moran has a good chance at returning to the top flight, providing his rehab goes as scheduled.

Moran's been a regular in the EIHL since 2003, and Hull coach Rick Strachan is convinced that the 25-year old belongs in the league.

“He’d be a great asset to any team on or off the ice,” Strachan told skysports.com.

“When he went out there he played hard and proved that he can play at this level – he’s definitely good enough.”

Moran appeared in 30 games for the Stingrays, playing extra minutes in the wake of injuries to fellow defencemen Troy Neumeier and Stuart Kerr. His injury is the latest setback for a Hull side that has been up against it since the first puck dropped.

“He wasn’t healthy all year but he made a huge contribution to the team,” Strachan said.

“Hopefully he can get the surgery done as soon as possible and come back next year. He did a great job, he was injured first in September and toughed it out for us.”

The news of Moran's injury came only days after Strachan had crossed his fingers and wished for better luck this year.

“2008 has been a rough year for Hull Stingrays with injury after injury," said Strachan in a Stingrays press release.

"They are not one to two week injuries, they are three to four month injuries. But we will put 2008 behind us and hope 2009 is kinder."

Moran started the 2008/09 campaign by dislocating his shoulder in a fight with Sheffield's Andrew Sharp. He ended it playing against the Steelers on Saturday. In between he gave his all in a turbulent year for the Stingrays.

For Moran, a kind 2009 would mean that his rehab goes to plan and he's rewarded with a roster spot on opening day. After going through what he has this season, you get the feeling he deserves it.

Good luck.

Phoenix: Game Shape

"If you stay ready, you ain't got to get ready."
- Suga Free: "If U Stay Ready"

Nothing like taking it back to 1997 with some West Coast hip hop on a freezing January night, but Suga Free's lyrics sum up the ideal Elite League mentality after the Christmas break.

For sure, most teams have stayed active throughout the last week, but coaches often take it easier as players enjoy a relaxed training schedule and more family time.

Steelers boss Dave Matsos made an exception, promising that his players would be either back on the bike or the ice the day after they scraped a 3-2 win against the Giants.

However, the Phoenix enjoyed a lighter schedule with no formal training, but defenceman Carl Graham made sure that he stayed busy. Coming back in game shape after Christmas is a big priority and Graham got a few workouts in to stay ready.

“You could take about six days off and I’m sure that throughout the league there are guys who will do that,” Graham told the Phoenix game programme.

"You need to hit the gym and ride the bike otherwise coming back and trying to play is hard."

And the British D-man has an additional incentive to be ready to go. Following the departure of Dwight Parrish on Boxing Day, there's more work available on the Manchester blueline. Somebody will have to eat Parrish's minutes, meaning that Graham could get some extra ice time.

“I’m hoping so,” Graham added.

“It’s hard to go from playing only a few minutes per game to play between 15 and 25 minutes but I’ve got to comeback from Christmas with the mindset that I’m going to be playing."