I think part of the reason some games may be perceived as lacking entertainment value is how opposition teams are setting up to play us. I've noticed a lot of teams playing a defensive trap, particularly teams sitting in the mid to lower reaches of the league who look to exploit us on the counter and defend as a 5 man unit behind the puck. I've even noticed Nottingham employ this. Absolutely cannot blame teams for doing this especially on the road as it's proven to steal results. My point being maybe this wasn't so common place 4 seasons back when we didn't quite have the rate of success we now have over recent past seasons, and potentially this is one of the downsides of being one of the league's "topdogs"? I think we would mostly agree the first season of the Calgary takeover was the most entertaining of recent times, but we'd be kidding ourselves if we thought teams approach to games against us was the same back then as it is to now!
I'm not claiming this is the sole reason for entertainment values dropping but I believe is a big part of it. The way the sport has developed globally and refereeing of the physical side of it in the EIHL has also had a negative impact. Internally I do think our roster is perhaps a little too "senior" to lend to a high energy game, maybe something we'll look to address next season.
On a positive note I'm sure the cup final game against Sheffield will be a cracker and exciting hockey...an example of how entertaining a game can be of free flowing hockey with no trap!