October date for ice hockey's new Magic5 event

The Elite League hopes to launch the 2020-21 season with a new Magic5 event, featuring all ten teams, at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on October 3-4.

The weekend dates have been pencilled in, but hinge entirely on the Government lifting lockdown and the current restrictions on mass gatherings.

The EIHL’s dates are described as “very provisional” given the uncertainty over when sport will be able to resume – many observers fear it could be next year before that fans can return rinkside.

With that decision out of their control, the league continued with its weekly conference calls involving team owners to discuss the 2020-21 season.

The Magic5 event would see the ten teams play derby games for league points across the two days. The aim is to kick-start the sport with a bang after the loss of the traditional play-off finals weekend which was scheduled to take place earlier this month.

To accommodate the new event, the 2021 play-off finals weekend has been pushed back and provisionally booked for April 24-25.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/opinion-why-it-might-be-long-way-back-ice-hockey-2541508

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/new-online-group-offers-support-fifes-creatives-2545692

The league’s latest update said: “All clubs are continuing to move forward with plans for a 2020/21 season whilst monitoring scientific advice on when our buildings can open again and the league could start.

“The EIHL plans to launch next season with a two-day Magic 5 competition held in Nottingham where all ten clubs will play a meaningful derby game which will count towards total points in the end of season league table.

With last season’s play-off finals cancelled, many fans have also given their support to the event by transferring their POFW tickets over to this exciting new event.

“All dates are provisional and subject to government restrictions. The EIHL and its 10 teams will be working towards them, although with the caveat that both an extension or an easing of current government restrictions may bring further changes to this in the coming months.”

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers; the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen, East Fife Mail and Glenrothes Gazette.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

The support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with your community during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this, and your continued support of our newspapers across Fife will help to protect their viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Allan Crow, Editor, Fife Free Press