Eight weekends of regular season action left and just 15 games. We face this weekend, in a home and home series as our friends across the pond call it, a team that have been a bit of nemesis to us recently - Chuck Weber and his Coventry Blaze. The title race is hotting up and it's essential we build up a head of steam in our bid to overhaul those Cardiff Devils.
Blaze endured what has to be said a horrendous start to the season, and at one stage were seriously adrift at the bottom of the Elite League table so much it was a question on how long Weber would last and whether or not they would make inroads to those above. But they have improved, and markedly too, and seem to be a bit of bogey side for Thompson's men. They have beaten us in the SkyDome and here in the Arena so can't be taken far too lightly.
In Brian Stewart, they have a goalie that gives his team many chances to win every single night. The guy is a behemoth of a goaltender and is so agile for his size. However if there is one weakness he has, it can be his temperament. We have seen it before that when he gets rattled, the teddies certainly fall out of his pram and his team suffers as a consequence. This is one thing that Steelers need to do this weekend to take maximum points off the Blaze.
Personally I am not keen on their defence, it still looks suspect and I am sure I am not the only one who has observed this. They don't seem to have a leader on that blue line, something that Mike Egener did so well during his spell there. It's too offensive for my liking and only former Dundee Star James Issacs appears to be the stay-at-home defenceman out of them. David Clements is still unproven at this level, but will continue to get better. This is another weakness we need to capitalise on.
Up top, they are rather decent and since Jordan Pietrus arrived mid-season: they have looked a much offensive outfit. Pietrus has obtained almost a point a game, and scored the game winner the last time we played each other in the House Of Steel with just a matter of seconds left in regulation. Cale Tanaka (despite missing the first game through suspension) will always be a handful whilst Carl Lauzon possesses an eye for goal and good speed which will have our defensive core on their toes every shift. Then there is the evergreen Ashley Tait who seems to have been around donkey years..
Nothing less than four points will do here, and that's what Thommo should be preaching. With Pinc on the recovery road, Brad Day will start in between the pipes. What do I think will be the scores? I reckon a 3-1 home win on the Saturday and possibly a 3-2 overtime win at the SkyDome 24 hours later. It will not be easy, every point dropped could spell the end of those hopes of retaining the Monteith Bowl. We have to go into every game and treat it as a Cup Final, a must win game.
Stark reality but when you're at the business end of the season, like we are now, you have to do this.
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