So, team by team, the season so far. Going from top to bottom!
1: Milton Keynes Lightning.
So far, at the top of the table with good reason. Collecting wins as if they where school coupons from the supermarket! However, they have not had it all their own way, with Sheffield toughing out a good mid-week result, and then Slough handing MK's tails to them in a very lopsided 8-2 game! So far, the only game where MK's game plan fell apart and their performance slipped from their previously high standard!
2: Guildford Flames.
Currently in second place. After their slightly shaky start to the season, Guildford have made up for it and really have been stringing together some impressive results. Turning Sheffield over 7-3, 2 easy wins over Romford, splitting the points with Slough, and a very narrow loss to Slough.
3. Manchester Phoenix.
Manchester has had some decent results, and some exciting games, as well as some surprisingly poor performances. Good performances against Bracknell, Peterborough, and Sheffield have been marred by consecutive losses to Slough. The first game, the team had been hit by some kind of bug that took its toll, but apparently the team still managed a credible performance. The next game against Slough however, at home, saw the Phoenix fall apart. A second period disintegration saw Slough hammer the Phoenix 6-1. Hopefully by the next round of games, the players will be fighting fit and determined to make up for a very poor showing. Still, a game in hand, and only 4 points behind MK. Manchester and Guildford are still easily within striking distance.
4. Basingstoke Bison.
Currently only 1 point back from Manchester and Guildford, Basingstoke have been racking up the points nicely, however, they have suffered a little from a lack of results from the teams around them at the top of the table.
5. Slough Jets.
Another team that has begun to get its act together and has gone on a bit of a march. A good core of players, with the likes of Nicky Chinn in the line up. A good group of experienced players, and it has shown. A close game against Manchester in their own barn, and then a big win in Manchester. 2 very disciplined performances. However, the biggest moment has to be the 8-2 victory against the current league leaders, the Lightning. The Jets have also recently bolstered their already impressive lineup with the signing of Slava Koulikov, who recently got cut from the Hull Stingrays. An excellent player who will bring plenty to the line up, as long as he works hard. Half the reason he was gassed...
6. Sheffield Scimitars.
Sheffield have not had so much luck. Plenty of injuries have hurt their chances so far. Some excellent performances has not been matched by results, by and large. Some nice wins, but also, some big losses too.
7. Swindon Wildcats.
A handy squad on paper, Swindon looks to be settling in to its position. Beating the teams under them, but not matching the performances with results against those teams above them.
8. Peterborough Phantoms.
Peterborough have lost a lot of the spark that led them to the grand slam last season. However, they did finally get their first points, and have managed to overhaul Bracknell to lift themselves to 8th.
9. Bracknell Bees.
Bracknell does have the ever-green Dumas at the helm. However, the ownership and funding problems meant they where not able to take their time to build a solid team. Unfortunately, for Bracknell, October has seen more of the same. Getting shut-out at home to Manchester for one, and the Phoenix apparently did not even get into top gear in their 6-0 shutout of the Bees.
10. Romford Raiders.
Still looking for their first win. A good team on paper, but they suck on the ice. Unfortunately, they are still winless.
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