Steelers Home Playoff 1/4 Final To Be Played At Ice Sheffield

[steelersmadman]

Steelers statement

The Sheffield Steelers, unfortunately, will be unable to play their end of season play off quarter final at the Utilita Arena on the weekend of Saturday 13th or Sunday 14th April.

Steelers will not have any home ice available at the arena following their final scheduled league game against Cardiff Devils on Saturday 30th March with their final league games being played on the road in Belfast on the 6th and 7th April.

With Great Britain qualifying for Men’s World Championships, the EIHL end of season play off’s were originally scheduled for the weekend of the 27th and 28th April with the quarter finals being played at the Arena on either the 20th and 21st.

However, following a request from IHUK for more preparation time to play exhibition games in the UK prior to the World Championships, the play off finals were moved forward a week, which clashed with the recently announced dates of Take That

The Arena’s calendar was already completely full by the time the new time frame required for the play-off fixture was decided upon and there is no availability at the venue.


“This is a significant issue” said owner Tony Smith “and one we have been looking for a way around for several weeks. We have no alternative but to confirm that our play off quarter finals will take place this year at Ice Sheffield.

“ The Arena has done everything in its power to accommodate our play off fixture but with the league changing the dates of the play off finals we have been left in this difficult and unwanted situation.

“We are, of course, aware of the issues this creates with regards to ticketing for this popular fixture and are working hard to find an acceptable outcome to the position we now find ourselves in.

“We will of course confirm more information on this issue in due course and regret any inconvenience this will cause many of our supporters”.


This will be an interesting one, I believe they had the 1/4 final game on the season ticket for this season didn't they?

I could think of a million other artists that I would be fine with moving us to Ice Sheffield for but Take That! Honestly

[mark]

Under the circumstances as explained in that statement I can't attach any blame to Take That, I can blame them for the dross they produce but not for this .

Since this was a decision by the EIHL to accept a request from IHUK the blame has to lie with the EIHL, it would be interesting to see the results of any vote that was taken to do this, perhaps this will put an end to the "Steelers run the league" BS that some fans come out with, probably not though.

Compensation owed to the club ?

Mark

[Woodsy]

All assuming we qualify for the playoffs of course , we did have that season with Paul Thompson when it was in doubt

[Tchaik]

Anyone heard anything new and up to date regarding the 1/4 final game at Ice Sheffield. I've heard its a season ticket game? How are 3000 season ticket holders going to get in a 1500 seat arena? And what happens to those who don't get a ticket? Sounds like a nightmare for all involved and a big loss for the club.

[kivo1889]

Anyone heard anything new and up to date regarding the 1/4 final game at Ice Sheffield. I've heard its a season ticket game? How are 3000 season ticket holders going to get in a 1500 seat arena? And what happens to those who don't get a ticket? Sounds like a nightmare for all involved and a big loss for the club.

Must admit I don't know how many ST holders there are these days. Around 2000 used to be bandied around a few years back.

Personally I'd prefer to try and buy one, watch the webcast if I can't, and get an extra game on next years ST. Or a discount on my soon to be renewed ST.

Could Ice Sheffield allow a few hundred extra in as standing only, as happens in Coventry or Fife? This could boost capacity to 1700+.

The club's going to get hammered by the critics whatever it does. And lose 6000 non ST sales (although IS is a lot cheaper to hire than the Arena).

[Tchaik]

Called Steelers Office and they have clarified the 1/4 finals are NOT on the season ticket but there seems to be no clarity on how the tickets are to be sold.

[Shaun]

It’s going to cause some bad feeling whatever they do.
I don’t remember it being on the ST, if it was, was it swapped for the Cup Semi?
If they offer ST holders first dibs, not ST complain, if they put them on general sale then ST holders will complain as they did for the cup.
I think it’s a disappointing end to the home season, but when I saw the fixtures I thought this might happen. The cost of keeping the ice down for a month was always going to be prohibative.


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[greeny]

Will be some unhappy people but a situation the club will have to deal with the best they can

[ekt]

I think they should prioritise ST holders by allowing first choice for tickets, a lot will not bother because its at Ice Sheffield or they have kids with ST's and Ice Sheffield games are not popular with a lot of people with kids because its a pretty sterile ice hockey game with non of the Chuck-a-puck, dance cam, etc. rubbish which goes on at the arena.

ST holders get few benefits as it is, the CC final game ticketing was a farce.

2024/2025 season it would be good if the club actually told people what they are paying for before they cough up for a ST instead of the usual finding out after.

[lovedenisvial]

Sorry don't understand the comments about the ticketing for the CC was a farce!" The allocation and information was clearly stated well in advance of the game, dates and costs clearly stated and over 8000 ticket made available for ANYONE to buy them? what more could the club do? Steeler fans even got hold of tickets in the Guildford section!!! so I have no doubt the Flames only managed to occupy 500 at the most.