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Only 2 pre-season games for us this year.

Panthers will have had 4 games and Cardiff will have had even more with their CHL campaign, I expect Cardiff to start the EIHL very well.

Belfast will have had none?

I don't think 2 games is enough and think the 4 games over two weekends that the Panthers will have had is about right.

Any further thoughts?

I would have liked four games but guess we have to make do with what it is. Perhaps the issue around visas has dictated this, who knows?

Don't get why we have to play the same teams in our league for exhibition games, it's as if we don't play them enough. Who picks the opponents, Fox or someone else? If I was Fox, I would like tests against non-EIHL sides but guess it's a case of horses for courses and seeing who's available and who's not.

TealSteeler wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 14, 2021 4:54 pm

I would have liked four games but guess we have to make do with what it is. Perhaps the issue around visas has dictated this, who knows?

Don't get why we have to play the same teams in our league for exhibition games, it's as if we don't play them enough. Who picks the opponents, Fox or someone else? If I was Fox, I would like tests against non-EIHL sides but guess it's a case of horses for courses and seeing who's available and who's not.

Its normally against non-EIHL teams but I expect it would have been a lot more expensive to arrange as things are at the minute.

I'd prefer a 4 game pre season, but I'm just glad I can once again turn up to the arena and support my team.

I'm sure if we can get through this season without too many Covid issues, next season we will be looking at a longer pre season.

Regards

Doom

Could work both ways, not loads of time to build match fitness and implement systems but also less time for injuries in nothing games.


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Number 1 goalie missing for our only 2 pre-season games.

I would suggest that our pre-season is certainly no where near long enough.

Too short a pre-season and I don't just mean with game time. Two games after less that a week or so together with a few players short is bad enough. Worse still is barely two weeks fitness with no full squad trying to work out lines and get systems running.
Next week a big home game against a Devils that have plenty of time for fitness, systems and whole squad being together.
Not ideal at all.

SteelerBlade wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 16, 2021 9:35 pm

Could work both ways, not loads of time to build match fitness and implement systems but also less time for injuries in nothing games.


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I’d say there’s more chance of getting injured with very little preparation.

Pre-season press conference with Aaron.

https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/1 ... -aaron-fox

This is a damned if you do, damned if you don’t. The amount of times we’ve had longer Pre-season here at home or travelled abroad and ended up with key players injured when it comes to the real stuff has been well documented, especially under our previous coach.

We’ve also had the Challenge Cup as a Pre cursor to league games in recent years, this year we have 1 game and we’re straight in.

It would be a logistical nightmare to get teams over or for us to travel right now so it looks like we’ve taken the safest route this year.