Video - Series format best way forward for Elite League play-offs, says Sheffield Steelers' Paul Thompson

PAUL THOMPSON has called for a new play-off series format to be brought in by the Elite League '“ replacing the current two-legged system.
Sheffield Steelers' head coach, Paul Thompson. Picture: Dean Woolley.Sheffield Steelers' head coach, Paul Thompson. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Sheffield Steelers' head coach, Paul Thompson. Picture: Dean Woolley.

The Sheffield Steelers’ head coach, who led his team to the regular season title on the final day of the 2015-16 campaign, believes teams facing each other in the post-season should battle over three games – others are known to favour even longer play-off series’ over five or even seven games, as currently operated by the NHL.

The Steelers exited this year’s play-offs at the first stage after losing on aggregate over the currently-favoured two-legged system to Thompson’s former club, Coventry Blaze.

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“Personally, I would like it to go to a best-of-three series – I think that is the best way for the Elite League play-offs going forward,” said Thompson.

Sheffield Steelers' head coach, Paul Thompson. Picture: Dean Woolley.Sheffield Steelers' head coach, Paul Thompson. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Sheffield Steelers' head coach, Paul Thompson. Picture: Dean Woolley.

“I’m not making any excuses for us going out at the first stage this year – we lost to the better team. A best-of system has been talked about before but nothing has ever moved forward on it.”

Were such a format introduced, it would mean an end to the annual Final Four Weekend, which closes the league’s season at Nottingham’s National Ice Centre.

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