EIHL Preview: Stingrays at Panthers – 7 September 2013

Panthers start the defence of their Grand Slam title this weekend against the Hull Stingrays. The Nottingham side have acquired a number of new faces but have also retained several players from last season’s successful term. Hull have maintained the majority of the roster that saw them finish bottom of the league last season.

Panthers have a tough ask if they are to repeat the glory of last season. Hull will want to get a positive start to the league and to continue where they left off in the recent preseason. They beat Edinburgh Capitals twice home and away, along with a draw and win against Sheffield Steeldogs.

Both teams may be a player short. Stingrays are waiting on the paperwork for latest signing defenceman Kyle Mariani, a replacement for Chad Huttel who suffered a shoulder injury during the off-season. Panthers have doubts regarding Matt Ryan who took a knock to the wrist in preseason against Amiens. The medical team are hoping that he will be fit for the weekend, but didn’t risk him in training on Thursday. Panthers will be boosted by the arrival of top defenceman Eric Werner,

Nottinghamwon all four of their games against Hull last year including a 6-0 shutout at home, outscoring Stingrays 21 goals to 7.

Though the games last season were not always as one-sided as the scores suggest. Stingrays would always push Panthers and make them work for the wins. Games would often go down to the final minutes and many times the results could have gone in Hull’s favour.

Only time will tell who will come out on top in the first game of the new season. In this one I will go for a Panthers win 4-1.