The league deciding game is.....

[mark]

As best as I can figure it, and working on the assumption the both Cardiff and the Steelers win all their games in the meantime, the earliest league deciding fixture would be the away fixture v Cardiff on 20th March, A Steelers win in that game would put us 14 points clear with 6 games remaining.

If Cardiff lose 1 game before then. It's the away fixture v Blaze , 17th March
If the Steelers lose one game before then, but beat the Devils on 20th March then it's our away game v Panthers on 23rd March.

Feel free to check my math.

[Rendo]

That's how me and the Mrs worked it out too, Shame the devils got the extra point this evening though.

[Doom]

I know it's the sort of conversation people are having at the arena, in the car or in the pubs before/after games, but it still makes me feel uncomfortable seeing it out there on a forum because it feels like we're setting ourselves up for a fall.

In the fairness of balance, I've just had a look at the earliest I believe Cardiff can win the league. By my reckoning it's 31/3/24 at home to Belfast. On that date Cardiff would have won their 11th game on the bounce and our defeat in Manchester would be our 11th on the bounce, meaning we can't catch Cardiff in our remaining 3 games......I feel better now (obviously not if this is how it really does pan out)

As an aside, what are the deciding criteria if two teams finish on equal points? I'm thinking it's probably regulation wins. As things currently stand Cardiff have had 2 more OT/PS victories than us, which means if we were to finish level on points, unless between now and the end of the season we have a couple more OT/PS wins, we'd take the title on regulation wins.

Regards

Doom

[Doom]

I've just had a look at the run in for the two clubs and Cardiff's is undoubtedly a lot easier.

Sheffield

Cardiff x 2
Belfast x 4
Guildford x 1
Coventry x 1
Manchester x 2
Dundee x 1
Glasgow x 0
Fife x 1
Nottingham x 2

Home - 6 games
Away - 8 games

Cardiff

Sheffield x 2
Belfast x 2
Guildford x 1
Coventry x 2
Manchester x 0
Dundee x 1
Glasgow x 2
Fife x 1
Nottingham x 3

Home - 10 games
Away - 4 games

I would suggest that Cardiff have comfortably the easier run in, especially with all those home games still to come.

Having said that, we have proved ourselves to be an outstanding team this year and with a healthy 12 point lead we should have enough of a buffer, but it could get a bit nerve wracking if we were to slip up in a game or two we were expected to win. Those games against Belfast could be crucial and whilst they are having a poor season by their high standards, they do have some very good players.

Regards

Doom

[House_of_Steel]

I must admit I’ve been very quiet this season contemplating rather than commenting, but my nerves are finally getting the better of me. Something just tells me they will be a sting in the tale yet! Everyone is gunning for us and in the case of a few clubs I think they’d rather see Cardiff win the league over us let’s avoid potential banana skins, for me every game now needs to be played like a final no coasting and taking periods off. We need to put this to bed against Cardiff these games rather than the Belfast games are crucial. The next 2 games against them needs to be 100% all 3 periods forecheck and force them into taking penalties, this may be our only opportunity to take points from them because like it or not over the past 15 games they’ve be equal to us in results, I can’t see them losing more than one or two in the remaining 14 so we need to be at our best for the remainder.

[mark]

I did wonder about posting it but then I realised it's only the question that I'm seeing asked on Twitter etc, so I decided to caveat it by basing it only on both teams winning all their games until we reach the decisive game. There are too many variations of possible results to do a comprehensive list, I suspect that would need some Excel wizardry to create a dynamic spreadsheet and while I would love to play with such a thing I simply don't have the time to develop one as I'm now getting very busy in other parts of my life as spring approaches.

[smbmetal]

Normally I would also be quite nervous.

However with the games I've seen we are generally head and shoulders above any team in this league when we play at 100%.

Only losing 4 games in regulation is amazing and there doesn't appear to be any signs of the slow down/exhaustion of previous 'Dad's army' season teams which have been abysmal to watch the past few seasons under Fox in the New Years gone by.

Cardiff might have a easier run in than we do, but they will and have already slipped up against the lesser teams. They're not quite good enough to reign in our 12 point lead IMO.

I'm therefore quietly confident that we will comfortably win the league in Cardiff's building

[mark]

I must admit I’ve been very quiet this season contemplating rather than commenting, but my nerves are finally getting the better of me. Something just tells me they will be a sting in the tale yet! Everyone is gunning for us and in the case of a few clubs I think they’d rather see Cardiff win the league over us let’s avoid potential banana skins, for me every game now needs to be played like a final no coasting and taking periods off. We need to put this to bed against Cardiff these games rather than the Belfast games are crucial. The next 2 games against them needs to be 100% all 3 periods forecheck and force them into taking penalties, this may be our only opportunity to take points from them because like it or not over the past 15 games they’ve be equal to us in results, I can’t see them losing more than one or two in the remaining 14 so we need to be at our best for the remainder.

You are correct, the EIHL needs every game to be considered vital from the very start, two points dropped in September can seem insignificant whereas now they are gold dust, this season that penny has dropped with the players and they have responded accordingly. The value of carrying a spare import and allowing injuries to rest and recover is now obvious as we are getting bodies back into the line up just when we need them.

[mark]

I'm therefore quietly confident that we will comfortably win the league in Cardiff's building

While in some ways that's a massive "up yours" to our nearest challengers it would be nicer to do it at home, winning a trophy in front of your own fans is something very special.

[smbmetal]

I'm therefore quietly confident that we will comfortably win the league in Cardiff's building

While in some ways that's a massive "up yours" to our nearest challengers it would be nicer to do it at home, winning a trophy in front of your own fans is something very special.

Indeed, my Cardiff comment was tongue in cheek, but if we could see into the future and choose, I would also pick winning the league in front of our own fans in a sold out building.