Hogging The Ice

As preparations begin for the 2025–26 Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season, clubs across the UK are beginning to shape their rosters. While some organizations have acted swiftly in the early stages of the offseason, others remain in a holding pattern. Below is a comprehensive look at each team’s activity to date, along with key areas of focus moving forward. Belfast Giants Despite having yet to announce any player transactions at the time of writing, the reigning league champions appear well-positioned for continued success. Belfast boasts a strong domestic core, including netminder Jackson Whistle and forwards Ben Lake, Scott Conway, and Ciaran Long. However, with Lake now 35 and Long 34, the team must consider how to prepare for long-term succession. Younger British players already on the roster will need to take a step forward, or management may look to bring in emerging domestic talent to reinforce the lineup. Fife Flyers Following a challenging campaign and recent changes in club...

  As the Sheffield Steelers wrap up another competitive season, attention inevitably shifts to roster decisions for 2025–26. Head coach Aaron Fox has built a strong foundation, but key choices lie ahead: which players have earned another year in orange, and who might be looking elsewhere? Below, we break down the entire roster — goalies, defensemen, and forwards — and assess each player’s impact this season, along with a 1–10 re-sign rating based on performance, value, and future potential. 🧤 GOALTENDERS ⭐ Matthew Greenfield – Re-sign Rating: 10/10 Greenfield delivered yet another outstanding campaign, reaffirming his position as one of the EIHL’s premier goaltenders. Appearing in over 60 games, his consistency, composure, and athleticism made him the bedrock of the Steelers’ defensive success. He faced high shot volumes with poise and was frequently the difference-maker in tight games. At just 30, he’s entering his prime. Retaining Greenfield should be a top priority — thoug...

  The 2024/25 Elite Ice Hockey League playoff quarter-finals have wrapped up, and they delivered everything from tension-filled overtimes to dominant performances by the league’s top teams. Ultimately, the top four seeds—Belfast, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Cardiff—have all secured their places at the much-anticipated Playoff Finals Weekend in Nottingham. Let’s take a closer look at how each of the quarter-final matchups played out. Belfast Giants vs Dundee Stars Aggregate: Belfast Giants 8 – 3 Dundee Stars On paper, this series looked like a straightforward win for the league-winning Belfast Giants. However, the eighth-seeded Dundee Stars came into the playoffs with a quiet confidence, having taken five of the last six points against Belfast in the regular season. The Stars believed they could cause one of the biggest playoff shocks in recent memory. The first leg, played at the SSE Arena in front of a vocal Belfast crowd, quickly put that idea to rest. The Giants came out s...

  A Final Whistle in Coventry The Elite League title race has reached its conclusion, and it won’t be coming back to Sheffield this year. A 4–3 loss to Coventry Blaze on the final day of the regular season brought the Steelers’ title defence to a heartbreaking end. Despite an incredible late-season surge, the result — coupled with Belfast Giants’ overtime win in Nottingham — ensured the Giants were crowned 2024–25 league champions. The margins were paper-thin. But at this level, that’s often all it takes. The Giants Take the Crown Full credit to Belfast. They held their nerve and delivered when it counted. Over the span of the season, they were consistent, composed, and clinical — and that’s what wins titles. No excuses from this side. Just congratulations to a worthy champion. A Season of Grit It’s easy to focus on the disappointment, but this season deserves more than that. This team showed fight — the kind that doesn’t always make headlines but builds something stronge...

Elite League Title Race: Giants, Steelers, and Panthers Set for Thrilling Final Weekend Showdown As the 2024-25 Elite League season reaches its dramatic conclusion, three teams remain in contention for the title—Belfast Giants, Sheffield Steelers, and (though their chances are slim) Nottingham Panthers. After months of intense battles, shifts in form, and standout individual performances, the final weekend will decide it all. The Giants currently lead the way with 76 points, followed closely by the Steelers at 75, while the Panthers sit three points further back with 72. The equation is simple: one team will emerge as champions. Panthers Close Season with Belfast Double The fixture list ensures a thrilling conclusion, with Nottingham and Belfast going head-to-head twice in a season-defining double-header. The Panthers travel to the SSE Arena on Saturday, April 5, before welcoming the Giants to the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday, April 6, in what promises to be a sold-out occasion. Meanwhil...

  Elite League Title Race & Playoff Battle: A Thrilling Finale Awaits The 2024/25 Elite League title race is set up for a thrilling climax, with three teams still in contention heading into the final weekend. Belfast Giants, Sheffield Steelers, and Nottingham Panthers all have a shot at glory, making for an electrifying two days of hockey. But beyond the battle for the top spot, another intense fight is brewing for the final playoff position between the Dundee Stars and Manchester Storm. The Title Race: Three Teams, One Championship Belfast Giants - The Leaders Current Position: 1st Place | 52 Games | 76 Points Remaining Fixtures: Saturday, April 5th - 7pm: vs Nottingham Panthers (The SSE Arena, Belfast) Sunday, April 6th - 5:30pm: vs Nottingham Panthers (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham) How Can Belfast Win? The Giants have the simplest path to victory: win both games against Nottingham, and they are champions. That would give them 80 points, ensuring neither Sh...

  EIHL Midweek Showdowns: Panthers vs. Storm Headlines a Crucial Night in the Title Race Hockey fans, get ready—tonight’s Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) schedule is packed with high-stakes matchups that could have a huge impact on both the title race and the playoff battle. At the Motorpoint Arena , the Nottingham Panthers host the Manchester Storm (7:30pm face-off) in a game that could see the Panthers pull level on points with leaders Belfast Giants. Meanwhile, the Storm are fighting for their playoff lives, sitting just four points behind Dundee Stars in the race for the final postseason spot. Elsewhere, the Glasgow Clan take on the Guildford Flames , while the Belfast Giants host the Fife Flyers , as the Giants look to hold onto their top spot in the league standings. Let’s dive into tonight’s key matchups and what’s at stake. Panthers vs. Storm – Title Race vs. Playoff Push Nottingham’s Jason Grande was the star of the show in their last outing, making 36 saves in a ...

It was a weekend to remember for Sheffield Steelers fans as their team put on a masterclass in both attack and defense, securing four crucial points and claiming the top spot in the Elite League—at least for now. A stunning 10-2 demolition of the Glasgow Clan on Friday night, followed by a composed 4-1 victory over the Manchester Storm at home on Saturday, ensured that the Steelers remain firmly in the title race. Friday Night Frenzy: A 10-2 Statement Win in Glasgow Long road trips can often lead to unpredictable performances, but the Steelers showed no signs of travel fatigue as they dismantled the in-form Glasgow Clan in their own arena. Right from the opening faceoff, Sheffield stamped their authority on the game, scoring just 13 seconds in when Mikko Juusola capitalised on a slick pass from Brandon Whistle. That set the tone for what was to come. Daniel Leavens doubled the lead just two minutes later, pouncing on a turnover, before adding his second of the night to make it 3-0 befo...

  EIHL Weekend Preview: Title Race Battles, Playoff Scraps & Individual Award Contenders With the EIHL season reaching its climax, the stakes have never been higher. The title race remains a three-way battle , the fight for the final playoff spot is heating up , and individual awards are still up for grabs. Every game this weekend carries serious implications. Let’s break it all down. Title Race: Belfast, Nottingham & Sheffield Fight for the Top At the top of the table, Belfast Giants, Nottingham Panthers, and Sheffield Steelers are locked in a tense battle for the EIHL crown . A single misstep could be the difference between lifting the trophy or finishing second best. Cardiff Devils vs. Belfast Giants (Friday Night) The Cardiff Devils face a tough task against the league-leading Belfast Giants . Cardiff has yet to beat Belfast this season , and their last encounter ended in heartbreak, with a Challenge Cup final loss . Adding to their frustration, a midweek defe...

 Panthers vs. Devils: A Crucial Night in the EIHL Title Race The Nottingham Panthers and Cardiff Devils are set for a massive Wednesday night showdown at the Motorpoint Arena, with both teams chasing vital points in the tightest Elite League title race in years. The Panthers, currently third in the standings with 66 points, are just three points behind league leaders Belfast Giants (69 points) and one behind arch-rivals Sheffield Steelers (67 points). A win tonight would see Nottingham leapfrog Sheffield into second place, putting them just a point off the top with the final stretch of the season approaching. Meanwhile, the Devils sit six points behind the Panthers in fourth place, but with a game in hand, they know a strong finish could still put them in the mix for a higher playoff seeding. With so much at stake, this is shaping up to be a crucial encounter for both teams. A Goaltending Duel in the Making? If their last meeting was anything to go by, this could be another battle ...

  Sheffield Steelers' Goal Scoring Woes: A Deeper Dive With just six games remaining in the EIHL season, the Sheffield Steelers find themselves in a tense battle at the top of the table. Sitting in second place, just two points behind the Belfast Giants, they still have a strong chance of claiming the league title. However, despite leading the league in total goals scored with 184, the Steelers have a glaring issue—no players among the top 10 in league scoring. This lack of individual firepower has raised concerns about their ability to consistently find the net, especially in crucial games. The team’s top scorer, Mikko Juusola, has managed just 23 goals so far, making him the only Steelers player to break the 20-goal mark this season. Beyond him, Mitchell Balmas (17 goals) and the departed Maxim Golod (15 goals in just 24 games) round out the team's highest-scoring players. Golod’s impressive tally in half a season only further highlights the team’s struggles, as no one has co...

  EIHL Weekend Recap: Title Race Tightens as Clan Shake Up the Standings The EIHL title race is heating up as we enter the final three weeks of the regular season. What was once an eight-point lead for the Belfast Giants over the Sheffield Steelers has now been cut to just two points. With every game carrying massive implications, fans are in for an exciting finish to the season. Title Race: Giants, Steelers, and Panthers Battling for the Top The weekend saw the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers secure all four points available, while the Belfast Giants dropped one in a shootout loss to the Glasgow Clan. The current standings reflect how tight things have become: Position Team GP PTS W OTW L OTL/SOL GF GA PTS % 1 x - Belfast Giants 47 69 28 4 10 5 174 112 0.73 2 x - Sheffield Steelers 48 67 29 3 13 3 184 123 0.70 3 x - Nottingham Panthers 48 66 27 4 13 4 164 107 0.69 With such a close race at the top, every remaining fixture will be crucial. The Giants still hold a slight ...

  EIHL Weekend Preview: The Final Stretch Begins With just four weeks remaining in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) regular season , the stakes are higher than ever. Whether it’s chasing the league title, securing a favourable playoff seeding, or fighting for that final eighth-place spot , every team has something on the line. This weekend is particularly demanding for Manchester Storm and Coventry Blaze , both playing three games in three days due to rearranged fixtures. Meanwhile, the Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants continue their battle for the league crown , with the Giants fresh off their Challenge Cup victory midweek. With so much to play for, let’s break down the key storylines ahead. Manchester Storm: A Playoff Push or Too Little, Too Late? For Manchester Storm , the situation is clear— it’s now or never. Sitting eight points behind the Dundee Stars for the final playoff spot, but with two games in hand , this weekend is a make-or-break moment for their ...