Image from @wannabedutchie
ROBERT
As Paul Adey was heard to say “it is probably the hardest title to win in Europe” and we have now won it nine times.
The most consistent team performance throughout, and a strong run in reminiscent of the start of the season, astounding netminding and a thorough workmanlike effort gave Sheffield a deserved title.
When you looked at the team after they had won you could see how much it meant, especially to Marek Pinc. They gave their all during the season and I must say that was a very enjoyable team to watch.
Sheffield always seem to come good towards the end of the season, historically, whether that is something to do with play off mentality, I don’t know, and as they are now the form team can they go on to get a double in the play offs?
BETHAN
Last year I remember an emotional win over the Devils, and the tributes paid to our family member Amy Usher who we'd only recently lost. One year on, our boys won again it in her memory.
Both last season and this one the team has had to overcome a lot of injuries, and especially with our goalies! Doyle played 43 games for us, before being replaced by a combination of Jaszczyk (yes I did have to look up how to spell that!), Woolhouse and finally Unice. Plante played for just 17 games this season, before Jaszczyk, Day and Pinc had to step in. Both years we've had a goalie we didn't think much of turn into a real star for the team, but I still hope for a more relaxing ride next year! :P
While it would be great to have won the title well in advance of the end of the season, to expect such a result is a serious underestimation of our competitors. There's been some great hockey played this year, against awesome teams such as JYP Jyväskylä and Frolunda Gothenburg, and against our more 'usual' rivals within the league. Some teams have surprised us, like Edinburgh and their incredible run of form at the start of the season, and some have done exactly what we'd expect (Nottingham finishing in their favourite place of fourth or fifth!).
If you read the Soapbox posts regularly, you'll know that I didn't believe that our Steelers could win it this year, but I'm very happy to be proven wrong! As Jeff Legue mentioned in his interview, we may not have a team made up of all the most skilled players in the league, but they find ways to grind out results. Different players have stepped up to cover for injuries and slumps in form, and it's been great to see players such as Luke Ferrara getting the ice time to really begin to shine for the team.
Paul Thompson has done a great job this year, and treated us to some great players! Already with his signings for next year many people are excited about the direction he's leading the team in, and I believe he'll continue to guide us to great success.
With the news that Jeff Legue and Jason Hewitt are to retire at the end of this season, it would be remiss not to mention their contribution to the team's success, the league (and hopefully playoffs! ;) ) this year and the previous 3 League titles and 3 Playoff victories! Hewy doesn't have the softest of hands, but he gives his all for the team, whether it's by getting under players' skin or by battling for the puck. Leggy on the other hand has scored an astounding 608 points for the team over the years, 41 of them in this season so far. Jeff came to the team the same year I began watching hockey, and it feels like Hewy has been there forever, so it's going to be strange not seeing them on the ice! Wish them all the best for the future.
See you all at the arena on Sunday to celebrate the title win with the boys, say goodbye to 2 of our family members, and most of all hopefully cheer them on to victory in the playoffs!
TONY
Back-to-Back league champions. An awesome result in a year where we probably didn’t have an exceptional squad, and where we could have crumbled after taking injuries in our net minding and net front presence. Yes, we took some odd series losses against the Blaze and Capitals, but otherwise we killed it cross-conference (perfect against Fife, Dundee and Manchester, and losing only once to Braehead). Our Powerplay recovered from being the worst in the league in the first half-year, where we seemed to be conceding as many shorties as we were scoring, to being one of the best after switching out some of the personnel. We also regularly failed at the BBT, but we won the one that broke the Devils stride with Mosi’s winner in February, and then closed it out with five wins in our final six games. Performances worthy of champions.
So many highlights, including the CHL games, winning both games in the double header in Belfast, seven wins over the Panthers, 9,100 in the building last week, but my favourite came a couple of week-ends ago in the home game against Coventry. 6,300 fans in fine voice, taunting Brian Stewart as our guys rampaged forward, and creating the best atmosphere in that building all year in a very physical game. Here’s to the guys, here’s to those who won’t be returning, and here’s hoping for another great Arena night as we round out the home season on Sunday.
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