The Divison Bell

First posted on http://www.ukamericansportsfans.com/ on 13th June 2012

Having had a couple of weeks to reflect on the changes being implemented by the Elite League this season, I’ve decided it’s about time to pitch in. Is it change for the sake of change? Or is there method to the madness? Let’s examine some of the key points that have cropped up in the British hockey media since the announcement to try and figure out whether or not this conference malarkey is a good plan or a bit of a shambles.

‘It’s surely better for some teams than others?’

Well, in a nutshell, yes. There are the haves and the have nots within the new system. There’s no doubting that the Hull Stingrays are the club worst off in the move, as being placed in the Northern conference means they will have one less trip to neighbouring Sheffield Steelers (a distance of just 67 miles) and in return, one less visit of the Steelers considerable cohort of travelling fans. Instead, their closest inter-league rivals will now be the Edinburgh Capitals (a distance of 248 miles). From a financial point of view, for a club that’s already struggling, this cannot be good news.

Coventry Blaze could by rights feel aggrieved as of the teams in the Southern conference, they are the only ones openly struggling with finances, however based on their signings so far, and the fact that Hull have secured new ownership so are no longer a rod for the Blaze’s back, they may not struggle as much as previously thought.

‘Be honest – it’s going to be a lot easier to win the Northern conference.’

Well, in a nutshell, yes. Let’s face it – the Southern conference is stacked with money and as a result, quality players – it’s going to be an extremely competitive group and will undoubtedly be hard-fought right to the death. North of the border things look distinctly less of an uphill struggle for the Glaswegian Braehead Clan. Well positioned in the league last season, their nearest rivals were a whole 30 points behind them in the final league table. Add to this their not inconsiderable resources (let’s not forget they are financed by the same owner as the Nottingham Panthers) and on paper, it’s the Clan’s conference to lose.

‘But won’t it devalue the league title?’

Well, in a nutshell, yes. It’s a simple fact that the two conferences are not equally weighted in terms of quality teams. In fact, rather than two equal groups, the conferences are more like divisions – draw a line right in the middle of last season’s final league table and you have the exact groupings for the conferences. Despite this, at the end of the season the two will be placed side by side as if they were equals. And if the league is decided on the basis of who has the most points overall, it’s more likely to be the winner of the Northern conference that will take the overall title – as in theory, their fixtures across the season will have been less challenging. This totally devalues the league title which up to this point, has been the top prize in British ice hockey, eclipsing the challenge cup and play-off trophy in terms of importance. A definite con.

‘Increased competition is good for the poorer teams though, isn’t it?’

It’s hard to say. As a Vipers fan, the encounters that were the most key to our success, or lack thereof, were those against our closest rivals in the league at the time, Edinburgh and Dundee, as we scrapped for points and a play-off spot. They were always tense, and exciting, and towards the end of the season became all the more important. And let’s face it, being repeatedly tonked by bigger, better teams isn’t fun from the perspective of either a fan OR a neutral. The Northern conference sides will feel they really have something to play for instead of losing heart sitting in ninth or tenth place before Christmas has even come around. However, let’s not forget, nothing’s a given in sport, and on the odd occasion the Vipers did chalk up a win against the Giants or Panthers, they were all the sweeter – it’s not always a one-sided affair. Just look at the play-off semi-finals in the season just gone. We’ll log this one in the ‘neutral’ pile.

‘The Challenge Cup will mean something again, though.’

Yes, it will. It’s looking likely that the Challenge Cup will become a more meaningful competition to win than the league title itself, as it will feature more teams from both conferences and will be a more level playing field, with the introduction of quarter final stages. Probably only the southern conference title will be a more desirable prize next season.

‘Everyone’s making a bit of a big deal of this. It’s not THAT different.’

No, it’s not that different. Each team will only play once less at home and once less away against teams from the other conference; once more at home and once more away against teams from their own. It’s not earth-shattering in terms of ramifications, travel-wise or financially. The Fife Flyers will still get to go to Belfast twice. Cardiff will still host Dundee twice. We’re not talking total separation here.

‘Would it allow for future expansion?’

Absolutely. With rumours abounding of an Elite League side in Dublin, and the perpetual Chinese whispers about the possibility of a re-emergence of a North-East based side, the conference system does offer great potential for expansion. It would be easier to integrate new teams and at five sides apiece, the conferences are very small and the League would undoubtedly be open to bolstering the ranks. A definite pro.

‘So what’s the verdict? Is it worth a try, or just a bit rubbish?’

Overall, it’s hard to make a definitive judgement when you weigh up all the elements involved. The biggest negative – and it is a big one – is the devaluation of the league title. There are positives including improved competition for lower placed sides, an improvement in the Challenge Cup competition and a brilliant conference for neutrals to keep an eye on in the shape of the Southern conference.

In a league where SOMETHING needed to happen, something has happened – whether it’s the right thing or not is up for debate, but other than a mass reorganisation of the league’s finances (never going to happen) I can’t think what else they could have done whilst still being seen to be making a change. Let’s see how it goes for a season and make our judgements this time next year. In the meantime, I will still be attending as many games as I can this season. Will they mostly be involving teams from the Southern Conference? Well, in a nutshell, yes.