Fans Forum - Mon 31st May
- Thread starter Finny
- Start date
TheDevilTorn said:
Obviously I didnt think Dorian Smith would play on our 3rd line, just couldn't think who else it could be :lol:
I dont know who Sam Smith is, I'm guessing a young local lad with bags of potential
I dont know who Sam Smith is, I'm guessing a young local lad with bags of potential
We should get down to Basingstoke for a game if we are going to play an EPL team. I miss my trips down there.
Remember you can check out what European teams the Devils have played over the years here
http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/devils-stats/
Filter on 'Challenge games' to get a good idea
Remember you can check out what European teams the Devils have played over the years here
http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/devils-stats/
Filter on 'Challenge games' to get a good idea
Thread starter
#51
My guess would be cost. Usually when we play a european team it is because they are on a british tour. I think Epinal also played Basingstoke and one other EIHL team (Coventry/Nottingham?).
I doubt any European team would be willing to come across for just one game as it would cost them too much. And I can't see the Devils wanting to pay for it all.
Perhaps it is something that the EIHL should look into - organising for one or two European teams to come and do a quick tour enabling teams to get some good pre-season games in.
I too will be a bit disappointed with Coventry as we play them enough over the season. Although at least we can be sure it won't be too 'friendly'.
Games against EPL teams are a possibility - but they would have to be played at 50% effort or with less imports because we would destroy them. Perhaps call up some of the ENL guys and play away in Basingstoke to see if there are a couple of local lads good enough to get a chance this season.
Though one problem might be that I think the EPL season starts the end of September - by which time we are already playing proper games.
One solution would be to have the HockeyFest as a pre-season competition, and then the Challenge Cup group games all in a row before the league season starts. Like we used to with the Autumn Cup.
I doubt any European team would be willing to come across for just one game as it would cost them too much. And I can't see the Devils wanting to pay for it all.
Perhaps it is something that the EIHL should look into - organising for one or two European teams to come and do a quick tour enabling teams to get some good pre-season games in.
I too will be a bit disappointed with Coventry as we play them enough over the season. Although at least we can be sure it won't be too 'friendly'.
Games against EPL teams are a possibility - but they would have to be played at 50% effort or with less imports because we would destroy them. Perhaps call up some of the ENL guys and play away in Basingstoke to see if there are a couple of local lads good enough to get a chance this season.
Though one problem might be that I think the EPL season starts the end of September - by which time we are already playing proper games.
One solution would be to have the HockeyFest as a pre-season competition, and then the Challenge Cup group games all in a row before the league season starts. Like we used to with the Autumn Cup.
I do think there is something to having a game against a couple of EPL teams first maybe Guildford and Basingstoke before a possible one against Coventry.
To start the season you want your offence and scorers to be firing straight from the off and not be a couple of weeks in with the team searching for goals. I appreciate that the EPL is a slightly lesser standard but to beat these teams you need Dmen to move the puck quickly and your forwards to be skating hard and getting some quality shots off. If nearly all the forwards have found the back off the net by the time the season commences even against lesser teams they surely will have some level of confidence in there scoring capabilities and the D will have had the chance to have some skating and passing practise without the tough big hitting to worry about.
Genuine question. Is beating Guildford 10-5 better than loosing to Coventry 2-0 in a preseason game. I would have to say for pre season purposes it might be.
To start the season you want your offence and scorers to be firing straight from the off and not be a couple of weeks in with the team searching for goals. I appreciate that the EPL is a slightly lesser standard but to beat these teams you need Dmen to move the puck quickly and your forwards to be skating hard and getting some quality shots off. If nearly all the forwards have found the back off the net by the time the season commences even against lesser teams they surely will have some level of confidence in there scoring capabilities and the D will have had the chance to have some skating and passing practise without the tough big hitting to worry about.
Genuine question. Is beating Guildford 10-5 better than loosing to Coventry 2-0 in a preseason game. I would have to say for pre season purposes it might be.
Thread starter
#54
I'm not sure, as an easy win can mean the players are too relaxed. I remember in the past we used to start off with some lower league teams - beat them easily and then lose the first couple of competitive games. Afterwards some of the newer players admitted they didn't realise the different between the lower league teams and the team in the same league would be such a big jump.
As a fan I would much prefer to see a different team even if it is only a top end EPL team such as Guildford.
I think they would play with intensity to match the higher level players of the Elite league and certainly would be more fun than 2 Elite teams hardly breaking sweat saving themselves for the league season.
For various reasons we have started poorly in the league over the last few years and mainly down to poor prep on our part and lack of icetime,players not being in etc.
I am much more likely to spend what is likely to £40-50 for my family of 4 to see a different team than paying to watch Coventry.My season ticket costs over £850 already and will see enough of the Elite teams for the rest of the year.
I think they would play with intensity to match the higher level players of the Elite league and certainly would be more fun than 2 Elite teams hardly breaking sweat saving themselves for the league season.
For various reasons we have started poorly in the league over the last few years and mainly down to poor prep on our part and lack of icetime,players not being in etc.
I am much more likely to spend what is likely to £40-50 for my family of 4 to see a different team than paying to watch Coventry.My season ticket costs over £850 already and will see enough of the Elite teams for the rest of the year.