Five Things We Learnt This Weekend - Preseason Special

So that's preseason done with. Trading wins with the Coventry Blaze, we looked good at home and wobbly away. But what did we learn?

Anyone Fancy A Game Of Water Polo? - An Awkward Analysis

Well, it didn't take long for the wheels to come off did it?

News has broken a short while ago that the ice plant/ice structure at the arena has failed and our home opener has had to be postponed as a result of all the damage to the ice.

As you'd expect with such an event, there has been some frustration already from some of the fan base on social media.

Firstly, let me say that this is nobodies fault whatsoever. Annoyingly, these things happen from time to time. It's just sods law that it has happened to us on very short notice and on the brink of a very meaningful night for the club.

Secondly, with regards to tickets already purchased for the game, I highly doubt you will lose the seats you have originally bought. When the club, Dundee and the arena all agree on a new date for this game, it will be announced. Then people can arrange to exchange their tickets (so as they keep the seats they bought for the original game and so as the ticket has the right date on it) or if fans are no longer able to make the re-scheduled game, then refunds shall be given or maybe an exchange will be offered for an alternative game.

Don't panic and don't worry. It will all get sorted.

I know some of you are frustrated and I know some are already laughing about this.

Thems the breaks folks.

Let's just let the powers that be sort it all out.

See you all again...eventually...

Alan
@AwkwardGinge

Guest Column: Robert Newbolt On Arena Blues And Alternative Arrangements

Robert Newbolt usually writes about the history of the Steelers, but here, he looks at the future, and what chance we have for having our own place, in light of losing an Arena game (against the Panthers no less) to boxing.

I don’t usually write things, but if as I see it there is an injustice I will. And so here goes. Everything here is well documented - I am not ‘in the know’ so anything that isn’t factual is just my own view, I hasten to add.

As I am sure you all know by now Sheffield Steelers have lost their battle to dissuade the Motorpoint Arena to axe their December 6th game with Nottingham in favour of Kell Brooks first title defence.

The Form Guide - Panthers vs Lukko Rauma (CHL, 22/8/14)

Yes, this is a thing. I thought loads of you would make betting jokes about Mosienko so I've decided to take advantage of it.

So tonight, the Panthers open up their CHL campaign against Lukko Rauma. As you might expect, they are overwhelming outsiders in the betting stakes. Is there any value to be had from them though?

All odds are courtesy of Paddy Power.

Countdown To Faceoff 2014 - Edinburgh Capitals Season Preview by Steven Salvini

The latest of our season previews continues with a look at my second favourite team, the Edinburgh Capitals, courtesy of Edinburgh Capitals Supporters' Club chairman Steven Salvini.

Edinburgh Capitals started the 13-14 season on a high.

View From On High - 5 Things I Want To See This Season

It seems like forever since I wrote something opinion-based, and as the hockey season starts tomorrow, sort of, I thought it was high time I did.

The following are not predictions for what I think will happen. They are what I want to happen.

Countdown To Faceoff 2014: View From 105 Steelers Preview

View From Block 105 writer Ryan Gleeson gives you his look at this season's Steelers roster.

So now the Sheffield Steelers roster is complete, we’re a couple weeks away from puck drop; I’m told it’s time for a bit of a roster summary!

Countdown To Faceoff 2014: Stingrays Preview By Jonathan Fearnley

FSB writer, and Stingrays and Steelers webcast commentator, Jonathan Fearnley gives us his take on how the Stingrays roster stacks up for the forthcoming season.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing so I’m going to use it to write this preview.

I’ll look back on the 2014/5 Hull Stingrays with the benefit of hindsight on a season where everything went wrong/right, while knowing the reality lies somewhere in between.

Frozen Steel Meets: Rod Sarich

Don't need a big introduction for this. He's one of my favourites, and I reckon he's one of yours too.

Rod Sarich, everyone.

Countdown To Faceoff 2014 - Devils Preview By Sean Phillips

As part of our countdown to the big puck drop in 25 days, we begin our look at the other teams around the league.

We start here with a look at the new, improved Cardiff Devils, as analysed by friend of the blog Sean Phillips.

The Retired Numbers Debate - An "Awkward" Analysis

Hello folks! It's been a while!

I hope you've all been keeping well during the off season. It's not long until the puck drops, thankfully!

I'm going to get straight to the point. It seems to me that the old chestnut debate over retired numbers has flared up again today on Twitter, so rather than send a series of incoherent tweets I thought I'd actually get back to writing a blog post about it all, so I hope you've got your feet up and a cuppa nearby.

Frozen Steel Meets: Cullen Eddy

We continue meeting the new team for 2014/15 in our latest interview.

The next contestant is our new defenceman, straight from the AHL, Cullen Eddy.

The View From On High: Bargain Buys, Refreshed Returns And Wonder Wingers - The Steelers 14/15 Off-Season

I said I'd wait until we had conducted all our business before seeing where the land laid on our business for the summer. I'm glad I did.

If I'd reacted after each signing, I might have questioned some of them. Some of them didn't make much sense, and didn't excite me that much.

Now I've seen the whole puzzle, I'm delighted.

The View From Block 105: Don’t “Fret” – We’re R”Eddy”!

As the title suggests, the Sheffield Steelers have officially finished their recruitment campaign ready for the 2014-15 season

 It seems to have been worth the wait for these final 2 signings, a wait that has crippled a few of you out there!

The View From Block 105: “Hay”-Making Move?

So, Monday morning brought us the news of a new Sheffield Steelers signing, a D-Man. A right handed shot, D-Man no less, and we all know how rare they are!

Darrell Hay is our new signing, Hailing from Kamloops, British Columbia, the 34 year old Canadian joins us from the Tohoku Free Blades in the Asian League.

Funnily enough, it isn't the first time we’ve heard of the Free Blades - our very own Steve Munn also played there. Whilst in the Asian League, Hay stacked 30 points and a plus/minus of 23, in 42 games. Those stats don’t echo around his career however - don’t forget the Asian League is still developing, just like ourselves here in the Elite League.

The Walkeden Review: My All-Star Weekend 2014

My first All-Stars weekend is over! Well, my first one I've played in and hope to be in Cardiff next year for the 2015 All-Stars!

Introducing Your 2014/15 Match Night Broadcast Team!

It's more than likely you've seen the account banded about Twitter. It was tested out at the Scimitars All Star game and seems good to go.

So I reckon it's about time we introduce you to our new update service for the 2014/15 season.

This Month In Sheffield Steelers History: August 2014

Rob Newbolt is back with this month's history lesson.

Message from Rob:

I'd like to give thanks to Mick Devine for keeping me in check while compiling these articles.

The View From Block 105: The Mosienko Problem

First of all, thank you for reading what will be my second post here on Frozen Steel Blog, and hopefully this will be the second of many.

I would also like to thank Liam for giving me the opportunity to post on Frozen Steel Blog on a regular basis once the season has begun.

To kick-start these blogs from my part, I thought I’d try and tackle a very split feeling in my head and I will assume in most of yours too. The split feeling coming from our latest signing, Tyler Mosienko.