Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 Week 13 - Liam Kirk's barmy army

Two wins, four points, and 15 (fifteen) goals for, leaves us a very happy bunch, and wondering if we need a replacement import forward after all. We’re not too sure that the Blaze will be our toughest opponent this year, and we’re all bloody delighted that young Liam scored, so read on to find out what we made of it all.

It’s time to get on your soapboxes people – and we’ve got contributions from:  Mark Duell, Andy Roberts, Nathan Turner, Nicki Blueitt and Soapboxer Sam.

So to try to sort out our thoughts on those two games, let’s have your five word summaries.

Saturday:

Running riot on Liam's night

Liam kirk, I was there

Kirk gets first pro goal

Liam kirk first Steelers goal

Coventry defence was non-existent.

Sunday:

Sixey Steelers slick in SkyDome

We spanked them good style

Beers at The Old Windmill

Good road win goals galore

Coventry defence was non-existent.

Let's start by waxing lyrical about Saturday, and tell me about your top moment

• Nathan - Liam Kirk's 1st goal for the club and the resulting post-game lap of the rink as Colton Fretter’s 'guest' was a wonderful thing to behold. A definite 'I was there' moment.
• Sam - Top moment for Saturday for me is Liam Kirk with his first Steelers goal, at 16 he's looking very exciting and I look forward to seeing him progress over the next few years. The other moment from Saturday for me was the Fitzy and Stewart incident. I expected Coventry to come out guns blazing for the 2nd but from what I can remember don't think they did or at least not to the level I anticipated and soon went off the boil again.
• Mark - Even though I was not there in person, it has to be Liam Kirk's first goal, What a snipe it was! It certainly won't be the last we will see from this young man. Prodigious talent that is going to be a star for the future. The heir apparent to Sir Robert of the Dowd? He has all the makings of being the natural successor to Billingham's finest but let's also not get carried away and put too much pressure on the lad - look what they said about Ross Venus at the same age? I think that says everything you need to know.
• Andy - Top moment for me was Markus Nilsson standing up for Liam Kirk after he was on the receiving end of a big (legal) hit. It was good to see, and to be honest not something I was expecting from one of our Swedish contingent. Looking after team mates has been lacking at times over last few seasons. That shift Nilsson undressed the Blaze D twice in a shift wasn't bad either!
• Nicki - Saturday’s game had everything. Goals came thick and fast, I thought we had been unlucky not get double figures as the offence danced rings around the Coventry D all night. It was a joy to watch, and off course Liam Kirk getting his first professional goal at the age of 16 had to be my highlight. The boy should be tucked in bed at that time of night with milk and biscuits! My other highlight on Saturday night was of course meeting the soapbox guys on moaners corner in 115. Always good to put a face to a twitter name so great to finally meet you all.
• Nicki (again) - Sunday’s game I didn’t see due to traveling back to Scotland but I had fun checking the scores on twitter on the way up. 4-0 at the 1st period, our away support must have been going crazy as we haven’t had much luck in that barn the last few seasons so the team owed us that one. On the highlights it looked much tighter at the back or maybe it was because moose was back rather than Brad Day on goal? Highlight had to be that fight. Fitzy is a tough old cookie. Never backs down and stood toe to toe taking some big hits but also giving plenty back. I take my hat off to you sir. I’m so glad he signed for as he was one of my favourites as a clan player.

Then how do we fix the new gap in our lines, what are we lacking?

• Andy - What we are really missing is a proper stay at home D man. One who gets a nose bleed every time they venture over the half way line. Tyler leaving doesn't help change that. It leaves a big chunk of goals that now need to be scored by someone. It will be interesting to see who Paul brings in. (Late EDIT as I forgot to press send last night…) Seems Paul is trying to address some of the defensive frailties with the new signing. Don't see Yared scoring same points as Tyler but seems to be of good pedigree. Welcome.
• Mark - I wouldn't say we are lacking anything to be honest. One player does not make a team as the saying he goes. Find a replacement who has the same work ethic as Mosi and you will never notice anything different. Players come and go; that's about it.
• Nicki - I will be waiting to see who bring in like the rest of us. I’m not sure if I’m hoping for a big strong centre man or a nimble and skilful centre? Someone who knows the league or someone we haven’t heard off? Whatever happens I’m sure the coaches will have done their homework and we will get back him.
• Sam (cunningly waiting until after the announcement) - We've signed the new guy today so I'm looking forward to seeing how he fits in when the boys are back at the arena. It sounds like Jono is out for some time now too so I'll be interested to see how Thommo changes the lines around to accommodate a new player as well as injuries. Welcome to Sheffield Yared.
• Nathan - As I write this we have already filled the gap in our roster and although this new guy isn't Chris Lawrence, I'm sure coach has done his homework and he'll fit in very well. I'm not one for checking up on player stats at previous clubs so don't know a thing about him. Looking forward to seeing him in action though -and his 1st game at home against the Panthers.

Finally, despite the sudden exit, would Mosienko make your all time Steelers legends team, or failing that your EIHL top couple of lines?

• Mark - As good as a player Mosi definitely is; he wouldn't make my legends team, nor my top two EIHL lines. Neither would he make most people's to be honest, But he goes with everyone's best wishes, EIHL defences will be glad to take a breather after he ran them ragged, unlike the next guy steps into the breach. We'll miss Tyler's Eddy's though; so it's a farewell to the entertaining - you have left a lasting impression on us all.
• Andy - Mosienko has been a big big part of why the Steelers are back to back champions. Unrelenting effort most nights and scored vital goals often out of nothing. Tyler is 100% in my legends team alongside Joey Talbot and his sidekick Jeff Legue.
• Nathan - Bearing in mind this will be only my 3rd full season watching Sheffield’s finest, so I can only base this on who I've seen play in the flesh, that being said, Mosienko would be the first name on my 'All Time Legends' team sheet as his work rate and performance levels were consistently high every week and he would almost certainly be on one of my top lines. Possibly alongside Chris Lawrence.
• Sam - He wouldn't be in my all-time Steelers legends but he'd certainly be on the top or second line in the EIHL era.
• Nicki - Like everyone I was shocked and sad to hear that Tyler had left so soon and as fans we never got the chance to show him our support and thank him for all he did for us over the last 2yrs. Who can blame him taking another job for more money? They don’t have a long career and need to support his family and pay a mortgage like the rest of us. I wish him all the best and not liking some snide comments I’ve seen onTtwitter. We had been lucky to see talent like that and helped us win back to back championships.

Subscribers bonus content – any AOB anyone?

• Mark - Extra talking point has to be our nearest and dearest having a zero point weekend. It just goes to show how ordinary they are. The Cage Forum was having its usual meltdown which has made hilarious reading too; and as for that "bear" - that's provided its own brand of amusement - Gary Moron has stooped to a whole level of stupidity. It's the gift that keeps on giving as someone kindly remarked. Absolute comedy gold.
• Nicki - My final note has to be how quick has the....... Schultz is on fire song, your defence is terrified..... staring to take off now! Slowly but surely its creeping around the arena so let’s keep that up and show him our support the guy is class!! We are going to see him lighting up the lamp many, many times to come.
• Andy - Sunday's chant of the night Jerry, Jerry, Jerry...Brilliant

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.
• Amanda is @ajt1971 and the other half of @NJT75Owl and she doesn’t mind Sweet Caroline!
• 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
• Nicki is a keen Robert Dowd fan, who’s been following the Steelers from the start. Transported by fate to live just outside Glasgow, and thus has to split herself between the Steelers and Clan. You will find her singing and shouting in RTB218, Section N, and via @owlsteeler
• 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.
• Sam is the one sat in 106 not partaking in Sweet Caroline and praying it's not played the following period. When not not doing that she can be found on @Sam_26
• Tony has been watching the Steelers on and off since Tony Hand arrived, and has been a regular for the last ten years or so. Enjoys contributing to the blog with his weekly five things and can be found @Disgu15ed