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
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