Cardiff sign a new netminder - How will the Steelers react on the ice?

The big, but unsurprising, news out of Cardiff this week was the announcement of Dan LaCosta's retirement due to three concussions he has suffered this season.

At times like this you do have to feel for a guy that has had his career ended at just 27 years of age. If you read this Dan, I think I can speak for the entire Steelers fanbase and the EIHL fanbase, when I say that I wish you all the best for the future and that hopefully you get better again soon.

Now, roll forward to today and the Cardiff Devils have announced their new import goalie, Phil Cook, all 6'3 and 195lbs of him. A decent sized netminder, similar to that of former Steelers Netminder John DeCaro.

Cook is fairly new to the professional ranks, having spent the previous 4 seasons in the NCAA and having played only 3 games so far this season as a professional, with the Peoria Rivermen of the SPHL. His stats however can't help but make you think this is a budget signing. A goals against average of 4.83 and a mere 83.3% save percentage are not very inspiring at all. Cardiff however, are seemingly very much aware of that, having stated in their press release that he is a wildcard recruit.

That being said, good luck to the guy and welcome to the league.

This news though, should have the Steelers licking their lips and chomping at the bit to get on the ice against the Devils this weekend. If Cook arrives in the UK in time and is ready to play and starts, then the Steelers really should come out all guns blazing and pepper him early doors. Get him rattled early and put a few pucks past him into the back of the net.

However, there is also the new (I use the word new loosely) dark horse, Joe Myers. Myers has been the back up in Cardiff for several seasons now and in LaCostas absence last weekend got one of, if not thee, biggest highlights and wins of his career. A 4-2 win at home to the defending league, challenge cup and playoff champions, the Nottingham Panthers.

In case you weren't aware, the Panthers like to think it's a grand slam, but it's not. It's a treble. They didn't win every trophy and/or title on offer last season, isn't that right Belfast? Some of you may think that's petty and sour grapes, but hey, who cares? It's the Christmas season and I feel like scrooge.

Now, if Myers plays in goal instead of Cook, again I feel that the Steelers should come out hard and fast early doors, pepper him with shots and get him rattled.

The Steelers are a team seemingly low on confidence in front of goal right now so they should be relishing the chance of playing the Devils this weekend with how their goaltending situation has been.

There have been some positives for the Steelers within the last week as well with regards to their go to guys for goals. Firstly, Rob Dowd taking part in pre-game warm ups last weekend, so may hopefully he feature this weekend. Secondly, add to that the news that Jeff Legue is no longer feeling any effects of the knock he picked up in Belfast on Saturday but the bigger news has been that Max Lacroix has finally taken to the ice again this week after breaking/dislocating his ankle back in Nottingham in September. It will be good to have him back at some point, although I wouldn't expect that to be for maybe another month yet.

All of this said, this weekend sees the start of the Christmas period of games for the Steelers. A period of games in which could very well make or break their title challenge this season. With the recent scoring issues, this weekend is a perfect chance for the boys to find their scoring touch again and to regain some much needed confidence, especially with two games against the Panthers around the corner.

Comments and feedback as always are more than welcome, at the usual locations.

@IAmMcCausland
@TomWalkeden
@AwkwardGinge
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Thanks for reading!

Alan
@AwkwardGinge