Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 Week 7 - Can't complain

After four wins on the bounce, we’ve got lots to celebrate, and little to moan about – and that’s probably why we only have a couple of contributors this week! Anyway, here’s our latest Frozen Steel Soapbox where we’ll bring you some views and thoughts from a selection of Sheffield Steelers hockey fans.

Follow Jake here +Snapper JakeO or @snapperjakeo

It’s time to get on your soapboxes people!

We’ve got contributions from:  Mark Duell, and Nathan Turner, with the occasional contribution from Tony your editor...

How were you feeling after the Blaze match on Saturday?

• Mark – We did what we had to do, play a lot better and not let Coventry run riot like they have done in previous visits. Have we broken the curse? One hopes to heck that we have. Smart play by Fitzy not to be goaded by Klotz also stands out for me.
• Nathan - Not a lot I can really say about the Blaze game as I didn't attend but pleased with the win and although I'm not that fussed about the group stage of the CC it’s a good way to get some of the early season creases ironed out before the proper games start, i.e. the league.
• Tony – Are they still separating the away fan blocks and inserting a noisy rabble in between them? Did it nearly kick-off between the fans again? I’m keeping my money in my pocket until they sort out that tinder box of an idea.

I’m guessing Sunday was quite a good night too?

• Mark – The fact we regrouped after Panthers, led and then levelled matters, and then kicked on to record a very impressive win speaks volumes. The Panthers were flattered to score five, they should never have had that many, we took them apart and Chris Lawrence won't want to remember the pounding he took off Desi. Fitzy shut the meerkat up early doors too.
• Nathan - In a game that the Steelers pretty much dominated from start to finish, we saw some great goals some suspect D work, and decent scrap. How Nottingham managed to slot 5 past us I don't know and as Coach said, the score flattered the Panthers somewhat. Although judging by their forum and Twitter, they're not really bothered about the Challenge Cup. Yeah right.
• Tony – Was on holiday, so didn’t attend, and looks like I missed a belter – as did my numpty mate who was going to use my tickets but ducked out at the last minute!

Now that City Taxis sponsor the Steelers, do we have any nominations for someone who needs a quick exit and our first Taxi award?

• Mark - Neilson for me, why did he start Pacl? Surely you start a hot goalie whose just recorded a shutout 24 hours previously. Perhaps there's more this so called injury than meets the eye with Wiikman. Then again Pacl got injured too.
• Nathan - Whoever designed the Challenge Cup shirts! They are utterly hideous. Really disappointed with all 5 shirts this year and as a result, and to no avail, I've been trying to find an old one on eBay. As for the logos on the ice, the vile MacDonalds 'Golden Arch' looks like a golden arse from where I sit. Humbug. 
• (seemingly getting a head of steam up on this one) The Challenge Cup Group stage. Surely a better way of making it more interesting and credible would be to scrap the group stage and have a straight forward k/o system drawn out of a bag. Teams play a 2 legged round against each other and whoever wins moves on to the next round, and if the Steelers are drawn against the Panthers in round 1, so be it. If Fife end up playing Dundee or The Storm in the final, great. Less predictable and generates more interest. Oh and play the final in early December.
• Tony – Is it too early to nominate the league scoring bias that’s been created by the Conference system? That’s been worth about +3 or 4 points in previous years. Conference is great for finances, but scoring your main competition based on those rules too remains an issue. Come and save us from this Milton Keynes!

There has been a bit of chat about Schultz, are you a believer?

• Mark - Had no doubts in the fella, proven scorers don't lose their touch. Funny how his moaners behind me weren't there on Sunday - wonder if Jesse delivered their humble pie himself and they're feeling sick so to speak? He's going to wreak havoc this season, and good on him. Keep it up mate!
• Nathan - Very impressed with Mr Schultz recently. The shuffling of the lines has improved the situation immensely and also seems to have benefitted the team as a whole. I was always certain he'd come good and maybe it takes some players longer to adapt to new surroundings than others. So yes I'm convinced.
• Tony – I’m beginning to see him as the new Mike Forney. He can drift around all he likes providing he’s putting the biscuit in the basket. As soon as he stops scoring, then he needs to contribute more or I reserve the right to start moaning again!

And finally, do you have your Jono Testimonial tickets and who are you looking forward to seeing?

• Mark - Not yet but I will plan on being there. Looking forward to seeing Joey Talbot back - particularly as Mam and I sponsored him in his final season. Who would I like to see back too? As goalies, Christian Bronsard and Joel Laing - two quality netminders. Them and Dion "The Daddy" Darling please.
• Nathan - Not got tickets for the testimonial yet. Not sure if I'll be able to make it due to work but enjoyed Hewitt’s last season.
• Tony – We will be going, although haven’t got tickets yet. Love the idea of Joey coming back, and Steeeve Munn.  Maybe we should drag Doug Sheppard up from Basingstoke – but guess he’s getting bored of travelling up to Ice Sheffield already!

That’s all folks. Hope you enjoyed reading our thoughts, and we’d love you to get involved too.

Help set the agenda for next week with your questions, or even better get involved and give your views as one of the panel. We would love different views and different participants each week. Please contact Mark @frozensteelblog or Tony @Disgu15ed, or find us at the game.

Brief Bios of those panellists you’ve just been listening to in the series so far :

• Alan is @frozensteelmnl for match night updates and @AwkwardGinge for everything else. Has been watching Hockey for many years, and given half a chance will regale you with tales of the London Knights. Catch him on the Breaking the Ice podcast too.
• Andy is the big man with the big horn (or VuVuzela if you prefer) who can be found at most home and away games, and propping the bar up afterwards. Andy is @ic3creamman.
• Bethan represents the younger end of the fan base, and has loved the team ever since being dragged along to her first Steelers game in 2007. Follow her on Twitter at @bethan_4
• Eric is a season ticket holder and can be found shouting encouragement to our players and scorn at the zebras alongside three generations of his family in block 115. Views can be found @greenbunch257
• Glynn can be found @glynnm76 has been watching the Steelers on and off since ‘91. Massive Ron Shudra fan and owner of an EIHL League Championship medal.
•  Kevin and Fergus are a Father-Son duo that grew up watching and playing ice hockey in Europe (mainly Germany) who are both very opinionated and can be heard from block 115. Twitters are @SedgyFergus and @KevWright65
• Mark is one of the main men behind the Frozen Steel blog, being the Editor and Podcast pundit, and has watched the club since its inception. Find him at @hockeybhoy
• Nathan and his Mrs have been going to games since Feb 2014 after getting fed up with football. Another season ticket holder in 115 who tries to get to away games and refuses steadfastly to join in with Sweet Caroline. He’s @NJT75Owl
• Robert is chief architect of http://steelers-stats.com/ the go-to guy for Steelers history from days gone by, and the man behind one of the big White House spotlights! Robert is @steelersstats.
• Tony has been watching the Steelers on and off since Tony Hand arrived, and has been a regular for the last eight years or so. Enjoys contributing to the blog with his weekly five things and can be found @Disgu15ed

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@DISGU15ED

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