Exhibition games vs EIHL Teams

[Clear The Zone]

Pre-season is a tricky one. We've had seasons where the coaches have blamed a slow start to the season on us only having 2-4 preseason games, and then we've had seasons where you play 5-6 pre-season games, pick up some injuries by christmas and everyone then moans that we played too many games. The right number of games is never the number of games you actually played, regardless.

Not helped of course that everyone knows the games mean sod-all. At least this year we get to be there for Manchester's first game back in the big arena - that has to be worth something surely?

I actually think there's something to be said for the team-building aspect of having the team go away to play overseas at the start of the season, whether or not this is CHL or some other tournament or some friendlies. Players in the past have commented that nothing brings the group together faster than all being thrown into the situation of living out of suitcases and all be shoved into a hotel somewhere for a few days on the road.

[kivo1889]

The clan may have 3 pre season games against euro opposition, including a team newly added to DEL2. I'd be interested in watching that kind of opponents pre season although I'd prefer ice Sheffield.
Its academic though as they'll probably shift 5000+ tickets for domestic opponents at the arena so there's no incentive to do otherwise.

[Disguised]

I'm thinking the local pre-season looks quite exciting - just not if you're a fan of the Utilita arena offering!

• Leeds and Hull are p[laying Tilburg from Holland,
  The 'new storm' are going back to where their namesakes used to play.
  Nottingham have got euro opposition too - so we're mixing some touring cars at Donnington with a Panthers pre-season double-header!

And hopefully we won't even need our trusty earplugs to drown out the announcer!

I'll leave the EIHL v EIHL matchups until they matter a bit more (plus some cup mini-league qualification games too maybe).