Ice Hockey
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Mention ice hockey to most British punters and they’ll probably tell you it’s a sport dominated by the USA, which isn’t quite true. Although 24 of the 30 sides in the NHL hail from the USA, the majority of the players, along with the six remaining teams, are from Canada.

Indeed, the competition was actually founded in Montreal in 1917 and, as with so many North American sports, has its roots in a complex dispute now more than a hundred years old. Fast forward to the 21st century and the world of hockey remains far from straightforward. In 2004, the league was shut down for 310 days because of a labour dispute and it became the first professional sport to lose an entire due to strike action.

However, the issue has been resolved for now, so fortunately those interested in ice hockey betting have plenty of opportunities to grab a slice of the action. Ultimately, the 30 sides are battling it out for the Stanley Cup which, at almost a metre tall 16 kilograms in weight, is literally one of the biggest trophies in world sport.

As with most North American sports, the competition is based around a number of leagues and divisions with a regular season leading up to a series of playoff games. All in all, this means there’s plenty of action on offer with each side guaranteed to play at least 82 games between October and mid-April each year. If you want to place an ice hockey bet, then you’ll be spoilt for choice.

And, of course, those who are really keen can always watch the sport a little closer to home. The British Elite Ice Hockey League has ten teams and offers a wealth of action.

However, all true hockey punters will know that you can’t beat the Stanley Cup for atmosphere and excitement.

NHL’s inaction leaves Miller livid

Ice hockey betingBuffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller is unhappy that the NHL have decided not to discipline Milan Lucic after the Boston forward clattered into him during the weekend clash between the two sides, which the Bruins won 6-2.

Miller is suffering from concussion-like headaches and does not accept Lucic’s assertion that he tried to avoid a collision that was so hard it knocked Miller’s mask off. Those placing a bet on hockey will have their own views.

When asked about the incident, the 31-year-old, who has been a stalwart for the Sabres since 2005, said: “I’m not going to be happy about it, but hopefully I’m playing hockey sooner than later.

“I think he said what he had to say to avoid being suspended. It’s the NHL. The guy can skate. He can stop. He can turn. He can pick his head up.”

Miller was hurt 14 minutes into the first period of the game when Lucic was issued with a two-minute minor for charging. The Sabres star continued playing until the end of the second period when he began experiencing tightness in his neck and fatigue. Backup goalie Jhonas Enroth replaced him at the start of the third period.

It is the second time that Miller has sustained a concussion in eight months. He missed four games in March after being struck by shots to the mask in consecutive games.

The Sabres have won five of their last six games and are now top of the Northeast Division with 11 victories from 17 matches.

Meanwhile, general manager Darcy Regier has confirmed that the club have recalled forward Corey Tropp from American Hockey League side Rochester Americans.

NHL clubs go shopping

Calgary FlamesIt’s transfer season in the NHL and many of the big clubs have gone shopping.

Calgary Flames (42 on Betfair to win the 2010/2011 Stanley Cup) have confirmed the re-signing of defenseman Matt Pelech on a one year deal. He was Calgary’s first-round selection (Number 26) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and has spent three years in professional ice hockey.

He spent last season at AHL Abbotsford Heat, scoring two goals and ten points. However, he only featured in 42 games due to being out of action for three months with a blood clot disorder. He is returning to the side for which he played in the 2008/2009 season, when he played in five games and provided three assists.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings (20 on Betfair to win the 2010/2011 Stanley Cup) have signed forwards Rich Clune, Trevor Lewis, Corey Elkins and Marc-Andre Cliche on one year deals. This is in addition to the signing of forward Brad Richardson, which was also completed on Saturday. This is another one year contract.

In 2009/2010 for Kings, Richardson notched career-highs in the regular season for games played (81), assists (16) and points (27).

Lewis had no points or penalty minutes in five games for Kings last time around and was loaned out to Manchester last October. There he registered seven points (5 goals, 2 assists)  and 6 PIM in 23 regular-season games. He missed 47 games between November and March but then had 9 points (5 goals, 4 assists), 10 PIM and a team-leading 52 shots in 16 playoff games. This helped the Monarchs reach the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals. In 11 NHL games in his career, all with the Kings, he has picked up 1 goal, 2 assists and zero penalty minutes.

Cliche played only one game for the Kings last season but was alternate captain at the Monarchs, where he scored 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) and 45 PIM in 66 regular-season games. He earned two points (1 goal, 1 assist) and 8 PIM in 12 playoff games with Manchester.

Last season, Elkins scored an average of a goal every three games for the Kings. He also scored 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists) and 24 PIM in 73 regular-season games with the Monarchs. He also notched up eight points (3 goals and 5 assists) and zero penalty minutes as Manchester made it to the AHL Eastern Conference Finals.

Clune’s Kings record reads a pair of assists and 26 penalty minutes in 14 regular-season games. He also notched up five penalty minutes in four playoff games. He spent most of last season at American Hockey League’s Manchester Monarchs where he scored 14 points (4 goals, 10 assists) and 126 PIM in 44 games.

Follow the build up to the new NHL season with all latest ice hockey betting news.