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Post by hueymactavish on Mar 26, 2013 2:18:03 GMT
Just wondered what the consensus was on our 2012/2013 season? Personally I thought, win or lose this weekend, that we have done pretty damn good. If someone had offered you at the start of the season, 7th place in the league, 2nd in your conference and a playoff spot, I am sure most of us would have settled for that. Yes sure, with a bit of luck, the additional import or two to bring us up to 11, things may have been different. But still what an improvement on last season. And hopefully lessons have been learned, so that we can continue to improve again next season. And with a full house for what could have been our last game of the season against Braehead last weekend, 2500 people seemed to think that we have done not too bad for our 2nd year in the EIHL. Maybe we set our sights too high after the great start to the season with winning the autumn cup. But all bar the Nottingham game at home where we were truly beaten by a far better team, 10-2, (hope they have an off day or two this weekend), I have enjoyed the games that I managed to get to this season. So let’s hope the guys can give us another 60 minutes of great home hockey, get a win, then who knows what may happen down in Nottingham. Surely if Edinburgh can do it.......
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Post by coloradoflyer on Mar 26, 2013 8:04:02 GMT
yeah i think it's been a very good year, 7th in the league, 2nd in the conf, won the autumn cup, 2nd best home record all season , really good PP and great PK most nights.
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Post by Dirkster23 on Mar 26, 2013 9:49:48 GMT
It's hard to have too many complaints this season. Our home performances have been really good and if we could have sneaked a couple of wins on the road, we could have won the Conference. We built a team to compete at home and that's what they've done. However, I think we've lacked a bit of size when we've gone to the smaller rinks down south and that's hurt us.
Our British guys have all improved again, and Hamish looked like an established EIHL player along with Kyle and Dolan. The imports have been great and there's 2 or 3 real gems on the current roster. It's unlikely we'll see them all back next season, but I can't see any reason why they wouldn't be given the opportunity to come back if they wanted.
My memory isn't the greatest, but i'm sure the goals Todd and Danny set for the team were to qualify for the Challenge Cup, qualify for the play-offs and be the top Scottish team. We only missed out on achieving all of these by virtue of a tie-breaker.
If we had added Podge around November time, I've no doubt we would have gone on to win the conference. It's been said before, but we really need to start next season with a minimum of 10 imports, preferably 11.
My biggest gripe this year is actually with the off ice team. We were promised at the start of the year there were big plans to mark our 75th season but what happened? People have asked about it on here and on Facebook but the Club just refuse to answer. Both Alan and Ross have been asked on here but to my knowledge failed to reply. It's certainly not spoiled the season, but it would be nice if the people who make these claims could actually communicate with the fans if/when plans like this fall through
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ronniemac
Pro
Posts: 1,520
NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
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Post by ronniemac on Mar 26, 2013 11:08:19 GMT
As many things last year ........... it will be In Hand.
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Post by daviejojo on Mar 26, 2013 12:33:35 GMT
Lets take the last 2 seasons.
Season 2011/2012 - Report Card F
Season 2012/2013 - Report Card C+
Massive improvement in terms of the roster, but depth of players, in the midst of winter were very costly, and there seemed a huge challenge in getting the heads around road form.
A lot of positives as highlighted above, so need to repeat, but there were definitely things that could have been done and/or handled much better.
Road Form - This needs to improve, no real logic for it from a player quality standpoint, so is it tactical or mental? But either way, this is something for next years coaching staff to address for sure.
Roster Depth - We need to start with 11, it's as simple as that. A perfect example being the last 3 games of the year, JP suspended, players carrying knocks, but, with a full quote, we were able to cope, which when running with 9, you simply can't do.
Anniversary Celebrations - The 75th Season is now pretty much behind us, and apart from the logo on the jersey's, has been a marketing and pleasurable opportunity very much missed. I only hope that the club has decided to mark the 75th Anniversary, rather than the 75th Season, but it would have been nice to tell us either way. It was constantly said as "was in hand", and yet, Saturday see's the last game of the season at home.
So in summary. There has been a huge improvement this year, of that there is no doubt indeed, and the players should be commended massively for the on ice improvement. We've seen the local lads develop this year, and the 3rd line, is playing a greater part now, I'm sure, partly with the influence of an Import playing on their line recently. Dutes himself had a far more productive season on ice, and his goal last week v Clan, was a peach.
As for next season, I'd like to see our coach being behind the bench, starting with 11 imports, and a continued look at maybe bringing in 1 or 2 more British Players (from what I hear, there are a couple who will not be with us next season, so will need replaced anyway).
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finchy
Pro
Posts: 1,567
EIHL Team: Fife Flyers
NHL Team: New Jersey Devil
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Post by finchy on Mar 26, 2013 14:23:20 GMT
The season as a whole get's the big thumbs up from me. Top entertainment all year long compared to the torment of 2011/12.
The lack of depth probably hurt us at vital times but then again I now fully trust the club to decide on what we can actually afford! I hope we can start next season with at least 10 imports though and the progression continues.
What is positive is that I get the feeling that we are now completely committed to being a competitive Elite League team and will do whatever we can to achieve that within financial reason. With Podge settled in the team have been a joy to watch the past fortnight and as long as the players are giving their all for the jersey nobody will get too upset about having too many imports I hope. I think Tommy Muir and Jamie Wilson in particular have benefitted from being able to play regular shifts with imports recently- both have played very well which is as pleasing as anything else and shows that at this level you develop Brits by having them play with good quality players.
This seasons imports are all welcome back as far as I'm concerned. We sometimes go overboard about who is 'top class' but all these guys did a very good job and I'm glad that as a club we don't just hire and fire when things are going wrong. A lot of people I think have been a bit disrespectful to Danny and in particular Todd in writing them off as players. Todd has been superb all year (albeit he's had to take too much ice time at times) and Danny has looked very good on that 3rd line which is vital. In an 11 import team they can still play a big part- only problem is in a thin squad it's asking too much of them to be taking 25-30 minutes ice time.
Whether we get everyone back is another matter but this is still a developing and improving team and continuity would be good.
Can't disagree with the 75th season being a damp squib and would also like to see the 'match night experience' improving but that is only a secondary concern.
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Post by coloradoflyer on Mar 26, 2013 14:41:42 GMT
what thing s would you like to see finchy
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kdd
Rookie
Posts: 136
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Post by kdd on Mar 26, 2013 14:56:36 GMT
Have the Elite League even set the import quota for next season yet?
If not, I'd like it to come back down to 10 at least.
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finchy
Pro
Posts: 1,567
EIHL Team: Fife Flyers
NHL Team: New Jersey Devil
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Post by finchy on Mar 27, 2013 10:42:41 GMT
what thing s would you like to see finchy 1. Suspended or injured players doing face-painting for the kids. 2. Chance to win a 4 x 4 car at the slapshot challenge. 3. Fireworks after goals. 4. Smoke machine and laser lights for the team entrance. 5. Men on stilts and jugglers to entertain the fans in the queues outside the rink before the game. 6. Jumbotron to keep the fans amused during breaks (kiss-cam, action replays etc) 7. Attractive girls firing giveways into the crowds from guns (t-shirts, stovies etc) 8. Free gift promotions nights every month (e.g. Josh Scoon bobblehead night, Bobby Chaumont lunch box evening) 9. Cheer leaders (of the Dallas Cowboys calibre not Braehead Clan!) 10. A mascot more to do with 'Flyers' e.g a yellow 'bird' with a helmet that has flashing lights?? 11. An ice surface that better reflects our Scottish heritage e.g. a tartan crease? 12. Play-off towels (not to be thrown on the ice at the end) 13. Fan appreciation nights 14. Less Geordie Munro, Run-Rig, Jean Michelle Jarrre and most importantly... MORE good programme articles ;-) What do you think?
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Post by nobabody on Mar 27, 2013 10:57:18 GMT
it's all in hand !
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Post by coloradoflyer on Mar 27, 2013 11:12:59 GMT
like the tartan crease idea brilliant allan is well gettin asked about that one , and i shall try and make my articles even better too.
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flyersfaninspain
Pro
Posts: 1,084
EIHL Team: Fife Flyers
NHL Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
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Post by flyersfaninspain on Mar 27, 2013 11:58:24 GMT
Bril finchy
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Post by dysartflyer on Mar 27, 2013 13:40:30 GMT
Sorry coloradoflyer, do you write for the program? LOL I really appreciate your input, but we lost one of our regular contributors in the run-in due to pressure of work and he wasn't replaced?
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