Sheffield Steeldogs coach Ben Morgan hoping all British hockey fans back NIHL National ‘Streaming Series’

Tonight sees the three-team NIHL National event get underway when Swindon Wildcats play host to Milton Keynes Lightning, with Morgan’s Sheffield Steeldogs’ team jumping into action tomorrow when they welcome Swindon to Ice Sheffield (5.30pm).

Since last season was brought to a shuddering halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UK game has been in limbo, with no competitive action having taken place.

The full-time Elite League has already postponed their 2020-21 campaign, largely due to the current Covid-19 social distancing rules which prevent fans from being allowed back into rinks.

But, in the second tier, semi-professional NIHL National, there remains hope that some kind of season can be salvaged.

The next three weekends will play a huge role in deciding whether some kind of campaign – subject to a green light from government officials – will indeed be possible.

With no fans allowed, games between the three teams will be screened live on the internet, with fans being charged £12 to watch each game.

To buy tickets to watch the forthcoming Streaming Series online - costing £12 per game - go HERE

The hope is the initiative will prove popular enough in terms of paying viewers that it will then be viable for all 10 NIHL National teams involved last season to jump on board and compete at some point early next year in a truncated league campaign.

Steeldogs’ player-coach Morgan, who has had just a handful of training sessions to prepare his players, is under no illusions as to what is at stake.

Chiefs boss Sam Zajac hopeful NIHL National ‘Streaming Series’ can help salvage 2020-21 season - read more HERE

“It’s everything, we can’t make any bones about it - it is do or die, if you like,” said the 33-year-old. “We need streaming numbers to be competitive, sustainable and high enough that the rest of the league and the team owners then want to jump on board and take part in a potential cup competition and, ultimately, some kind of league competition after that.

“We obviously have to make sure we get the green light from the DCMS and the government for anything after this, but we have to be in a position where, financially, it’s stable, secure and it is viable.

“And that is only going to be the case if we can present positive figures and numbers from the next three weekends.”

To buy tickets to watch the forthcoming Streaming Series online - costing £12 per game - go HERE

Due to the unavailability of some players, all three teams have called in reinforcements to bolster their rosters, with a number of GB internationals being signed up to play.

With GB international defenceman Ben O’Connor already on their books having left Sheffield Steelers in the summer, the Steeldogs added further strength this week in the shape of Belfast Giants forward Ben Lake.

Hull Pirates’ player-coach Jason Hewitt and defenceman Jonathan Kirk have also come on board for the Steeldogs and with Swindon adding the likes of GB internationals Matthew Myers, Josh Batch and Ben Davies, the hope is that the games will appeal to a wider audience, rather than just the fans of the three teams involved.

Steeldogs add Hull Pirates player-coach Jason Hewitt for NIHL Streaming Series - read more HERE

“All three teams are out there, promoting the games, not just to their own fans, but to every hockey fan in Britain,” adde Morgan.

“We have been starved of the game for too long now, from a players’ point of view and from spectators point of view .

“And if we can draw upon fans from every single club and open it to a wider audience, we can showcase our league more and show the wider hockey community what talent there is in the NIHL and the youngsters we have coming through, the next Liam Kirks and Alex Grahams.

To buy tickets to watch the forthcoming Streaming Series online - costing £12 per game - go HERE

“We are using and adding the quality of some Elite League players to help bolster the squads because of the pandemic and the unavailability of some of our roster, but all three teams have done the best they can to put on what I’m confident is going to be a very productive and entertaining three weekends of hockey.

“We’re just hoping that people literally buy into it and support British hockey.”

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