From The Editor's Chair - Edition 27

I'm possibly going to look into doing a couple of editions this week. One will be this particular and the other one, which I might launch Thursday or Friday, will be about the run-in for the title. However, I might change my mind about the latter depending how tonight pans out. Watch this space anyway..

For this edition, I'm going to broach another interesting subject...clutch players!

So define the epitome that is a clutch player? This is a player whom clubs could rely upon for timely scoring or basically being in the right place at the right time when his club has needed him. Every team has one from time to time, and you could consider the following as examples:

Belfast - Colin Shields

Braehead - Scott Pitt, Matt Keith

Cardiff - Joey Martin

Coventry - Ashley Tait (first spell), Dan Carlson, Adam Calder

Dundee - Vinny Scarsella

Edinburgh - Pavel Voryobev

Fife - Ryan Dingle

Manchester - Patrik Valcak

Panthers - David Alexandrè Beauregard, David Clarke, Craig Kowalski

The list could go on....

Here at Sheffield, we've had a few too. I've picked out four players from the EIHL era whom I consider are easily defined as they were "clutch". We've had others too such as Ken "The Messiah" Priestlay, "Turbo" Tim Cranston, "Storming" Steve Nemeth and "Rocket" Ron for the veteran supporters amongst us. But see what you think of these selections:

 Mark Dutiaume 

"Magical" Mark as he was nicknamed; played for us for five, well four and a half if you want to be pedantic, seasons between 2001-2006 which actually straddles the ISL and EIHL years. The Winnipeg born native was taken second round, 42nd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1995 NHL Draft ahead of Michal Handzuš (who won Lord Stanley in 2013), future Steelers team-mate Kevin Bolibruck, and NHL goaltenders Chris Mason and Miikka Kiprusoff. 

Whilst he never suited up for the Sabres, Dutes joined us in late 2011 after scoring 47 points in just 30 games for Fife. A man for all seasons, he was a decent scorer and creator together with 95 goals and finished with 235 points in 227 games. He was handy with a penalty shot too. Mark finished his season with two seasons in Belfast before hanging the skates. And yes, he is the younger brother of current Fife head coach Todd...

Joey Talbot and Jeff Legue

The terrible twosome who in four seasons together, racked up a multitude of honours and goals. Wherever Legue was on the ice, you just knew his sidekick Talbot wouldn't be too far away. They had some serious chemistry on ice and you have to admit that just breeds confidence in your team when you have that. Both players had a knack of scoring goals when you needed them, and it was always either Legue assisted Talbot or vice-versa. 

And here's where the similarity continues. Joey left in 2011 after helping Steelers to an Elite League title and Jeff left at the end of last season again leaving with an Elite League title win. Combined, the players played in 815 games (Legue 550, Talbot 265) and had 936 points between them both; 447 of them being goals. Phenomenal. 

 Mathieu Roy

The modern day equivalent of the clutch player, "The King of Sheffield" has been an inspirational signing for the club since arriving on these shores from Florida Everblades in the summer of 2014. A 100 point first season and a still a point a game in his second, albeit injury riddled, season last year just shows how valuable he is to the franchise. He's not afraid to get into the dirty areas where some players would fear to go so he can battle for his team.

Roy has scored a number of greasy goals in his time, a lot of them when parking his arse in front of a goalie and getting the all important tip in front to divert it away and into the net. If I was a goalie, I would flipping well hate that but it's what Mathieu is an absolute exponent at. Still only 30 years old, Steelers - if they play their cards right proverbially - could see him in the House Of Steel for a few more years yet. He's been an excellent signing, now where's the new contract?

So that's four modern day clutch players. Who do you think befits this moniker? I mean it doesn't have to be a current roster star, it could be anyone from any era. Have a think and let me know, I'm open to all ears and suggestions. 

 

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

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Will we race to 75? - A couple more than the normal five things I learnt this week.

(Might be more than five this week!!)

After unexpectedly having a hockey-free weekend I've been digging around in the league tables to bring you some statistical things this week. Here's where we are as at mid-day on Sunday 26th February, with teams variously having between 8 and 12 games left:

League table, showing total points, then in-conference, then outside-conference performance - notice the difference?

1. EIHL Title heading to down to Wales? – Common sense suggests Cardiff will hold most of their current six-point gap, and win the league with a couple of weeks spare. I’d go so far to say that they will even extend the gap beyond six-points as they’ve got more games remaining against teams from the easier conference. My model predicts them adding another 13 points from the remaining 16 available, and ending on 82 points, and Sheffield finishing second on 74. (Well up on the 72 that won the league last year and 74 that won it the year before)
2. What could stop them? – The focus must be on the two games Cardiff play in Sheffield, and the two final games in IAW against Belfast. If by some miracle they lose all four of those in regulation, and then we see one shock result from one of the four games against Manchester, Fife, Edinburgh or Dundee, they still close on 75 points. (Just 6 points from the 16 they have remaining – whereas they’re running at closer to 12 in the season-to-date)
3. Can Sheffield exceed 75 points? – To reach 76 points, we need 13 points from the remaining 16. That means winning twice in regulation against Cardiff, then probably needing to beat Fife, Coventry (twice), Braehead and then getting three points from away games in Nottingham and Belfast. Possible, but not probable, and as soon at 75 points becomes unreachable we’re sunk.
4. Can Belfast get to 76 points? – Not likely, as they’d need 14 points out of the remaining 16, most of which are in-conference games. That would require a double, in regulation, on the last weekend in IAW, beating Sheffield at home, dropping a maximum of two points in their three remaining games against Nottingham, and having to beat Coventry and Manchester too. They’re running at 64% in-conference so far in the league, so a target of 86% (12 from 14) would be huge.  
5. Easier conference 'up north' – Statistically proven beyond doubt again I’m afraid. Every Erdhart team has a better record cross-conference, than they do in-conference, and every Gardiner team (with the exception of Fife) wins more in-conference than they do cross-conference. Everyone except Fife finds it easier beating Gardiner teams than Erhardt teams!
6. Value of the conference bias – At least we don't need our * asterisks this year, but if we removed the imbalance between conference games, Braehead would lose about 10 points (because they are so poor cross-conference) and they would tumble from their current 4th place to 6th-7th below Fife by season-end! Another pointless banner in their rafters.
7. What about the play-off run-in too? – That’s a tastier battle entirely. My model has the ‘top six’ and ‘bottom one’ finishing roughly ‘as is’. Then Dundee gaining 7 points from 8 games to finish on 43, and Coventry gaining only 5 points from 6 games to finish in ninth place on 42. Coventry are terrible in-conference this year, so they need to shock someone and get more than one point from Belfast or Sheffield (twice) to save their season. Dundee’s six remaining in-conference games (and two cross-conference) gives them enough chance to just pip them.
8. Final word for Edinburgh – Let’s add a quick mention for Edinburgh, who are currently on 31 points, and maybe on-track for 38 this year. Compare that to 25 last year and you can see the bounce. It's still tenth, but it's respectable.

So if Cardiff flunk they will finish on 75 points, and if Sheffield or Belfast have run almost perfect, including winning their games against Cardiff in regulation, then they might just reach 76. So it’s still game-on, but it’s looking increasingly likely that Cardiff will win their first ever EIHL title, and their first league title for 20 years! At the bottom Coventry might drop one place from last year, and thus fail to make the play-off quarter finals for their first time. Looks like we will have another record-breaking season one-way or another!

Enjoy your hockey. Tony.

Big Match Preview - Nottingham and Fife

Apologies first of all for the lateness of this piece. I, Mark, have had a long week in the paid job and most nights I've been coming home and going straight to bed after a quick bite to eat. However, we've got another crucial weekend of games for the boys to look forward to and preview. So here we go then in essence....

Wednesday night saw the Steelers make it four wins out of their last five league games with a 5-2 home win against the visiting Edinburgh Capitals at the en-suite bathroom. Yes, and if you look back at the preview for that said game then you will see that I called this score spot on. However, just like the previous spot on prediction against Fife, I didn't continue with my gut instinct and wager some money on it with the bookies. I'm kicking myself again proverbially.

So with this in mind, we're in second place again after overtaking Belfast and lie six points behind Cardiff with all three having nine games left. Makes you wonder what this could have been like if we had taken at least two points off the Giants last month in that double header where everything went wrong.  Hindsight's a wonderful thing though. 

Saturday night sees us have another visit off this happy bunch:

Yes it's those inconsistent Bears from down the M1, a team that has blown hot and cold all season except when they were competing for the sandwich tray. They had an amazing result on Tuesday when they blew Cardiff away 7-4 at the NIC and chased Bownsy out of his cage; giving hope to both ourselves and Belfast. With this in mind, we have to be firmly focused enough to ensure this does not get repeated in our barn and act as a blow toour hopes. They'll be out to ruin the party again. A professional and solid 60 minutes is needed, no if and no buts about it. Lapses will be punished.

Sunday will be equally hard, and that's just the travel part as we go on the road and to one of the longest away trips to this side:

It's back to "The Auld Barn" and the scene of last season's incredible title winning game. However, circumstances are slightly different this time. Either way, it's going to be tough as teams seldom leave the FIA with a convincing away win in the bank. Belfast have been humbled there and if that's not a warning shot then what is? Despite being a former Steeler, don't expect Russ Moyer telling his new team-mates to roll over and help. Fife will be missing Justin Fox as he serves a ban for high sticks but still have quality that can hurt you. We have to be prepared for one hell of scrap, and it could be all down to which goalie is the hotter on the night.

Predictions then? I'm going for a 4-2 home win against the Bears on Saturday and 3-1 ground out road win from our trip to Kirkcaldy. What do you think?

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

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Elite Report - Week 25 Review

Well after a pretty successful week number 24, we were hoping we could continue the positive and good form into week 25. Was it more happiness or would it be a case of back to the drawing board after more despair? Only one way to find out then...

Wednesday 15 February, and not the perfect beginning as the Caps gave themselves a lifeline for a top eight finish by beating the Stars on a shootout. Just not what the proverbial doctor ordered for us.

Two days later, and a fifty percent as Clan overcame the Flyers in a thirteen goal glut in Renfrew. Good entertainment for a neutral but defences obviously not bothered about understanding the word: defend. Cardiff's comeback from 3-0 to win 4-3 in normal time made sure we didn't get both matches right.

Onto Saturday now. Just the one correct out of the three, and that was thanks to the Bears down the road as they extinguished the Blaze in Lace City. Cardiff and Dundee both won leaving us with a mountain to climb as we entered Sunday...

So Sunday. Dundee won again which was what we asked for but we didn't foresee the Blaze burning away the Bears so convincingly. By all accounts, Pacl was given little protection by his so-called defence: where have we witnessed that before? But it was a morale boosting win for Danny Stewart's men as they bid to get back into the top eight and have a shot at making another play-off final weekend.

Statsticially, we have to admit week 24 was a bit of a disaster with three correct predictions out of a possible eight. Perhaps we are being too harsh on ourselves some might say; but we like to think we know a bit about the league and how games could unfold. Yet this season has disproved that theory as teams are beating others when least expected to on a given night. Overall we go into week 26 with 77 out of 204, percentage wise it's .377 so a slight decrease. Yeah, we're being harsh and picky for sure.

Onto week 26 it is then.

 

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

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 Week 26 - Raining Controversy

Time once to get on our hockey soapboxes everybody. On the panel this week are your co-editors Mark and Tony, Nathan the Penguin, our Scottish Steeler Nicki and a welcome return back from Bethan.

Let's see what they are talking about...

1. Five words on Saturday's game

We played hockey they sang

A routine home win guys

Came out and bossed it

Solid game, we played well.

How to win ugly/boring.

 

2. Five words on Sunday's game

Winning controversially thanks to Deano

Another last minute goal AGAIN!

What a mess in Belfast!

Why are road games better?

We played hockey they moaned.

 

3. What are your thoughts on bringing Rod back as injury cover?

Nicki: Bringing back Rod is ok as not sure who else we could get at this time with no notice. They guy is helping us out big time. The D this year though for me has been too lightweight back there. Hope for bigger size next year.

Bethan: I'm really glad we've brought Rod back in - I think he's played well for us in the past, and even though he does tend to keep up his 'Roddy average' of balancing great plays with daft mistakes, overall he's a good player and a good addition.  There's also a definite benefit to bringing in someone who already knows the ropes in Sheffield, and hopefully he'll be able to just slot back in.

Nathan: Personally I think it's great news. How many times he'll skate remains to be seen but it's a no brainer really.

Tony: Steelers legend, but so is Shudra and I don't think I'd like to have to rely on either of them. More evidence that Thommo doesn't think that Cole or Liam can be trusted, and unfortunately he's unlikely to knock the rust off for the next three weeks or so. Didn't Edinburgh have someone we could tempt down South??

Mark: Absolutely brilliant decision, I don't see why people are unhappy with it. He knows the league, the playing systems that Thommo uses and most of all the CLUB! Makes players accountable when he ices and has bags of experience which will help players like young Shudra and Kirk develop.

4. Which player from the rest of the league has impressed you the most?

Nathan: I don't tend to take much notice of individual players from other teams but the lad in Nottingham, Nirifork or Nofirikork (Nikiforuk - Editor Mark) or whatever his name is seems to be getting much plaudits. From a mid-table team anyway.

Tony: Bordeleau for his pay / time on ice ratio. Very glad he keeps Lord on the bench too sometimes and that's a swap every other team remain grateful for.

Mark: Tough call but I'd have Jake "Alanis" Morissette, isn't it ironic don't you think? When he ices, Cardiff tick like a well oiled machine. Can score and assist in equal measures.

Nicki: Players that have impresses me al always the clan PITT & LEAVIT. We should have took PITT when we took Fitzy imo. Also really liked Erdhardt from the storm. And don't even get me started on how we let BOWNS through a fingers. He is from Rotherham for God's sake. He should have been our goalie for years.

5. Who is the best referee in the league and why?

Nathan: Darnell is the best ref in the league by a long stretch. Head and shoulders above the others. The overall standard however is cause for great concern if the EIHL is to progress.

Tony: You only notice and remember the ones who blow calls and make huge mistakes. So all I know is that it's not Hogarth, Halas, Smith, Schmejkal (definitely), Pering (ditto) Craig, or Brown....

Mark: No brainer here, it's Tom (Darnell). Always talks to the players during the games; and that's why they respect him. Off ice he's brilliant too, taking time out to explain to us supporters why he made this decision and that one.

Nicki: Best ref isn't that hard I would said Tom he seems the most consistent. But this has been so poor again. Feel sorry for them out there with no cash support from the league. Makes our league a laughing stock at times which is holding us back in European leagues.

Bethan: It has to be Tom Darnell - he always seems to have a good handle on the game, and dialogue with the players & benches. While he misses calls same as any other ref, I never feel like the game gets to the point of being dangerous to the players like it does sometimes when other stripeys are in charge.

6. Are you going to the Challenge Cup Final? If not, why?

Tony: Nope - too far away as I'm working on the following Monday, and just like Walser I can't abide their holier than thou singing. Let's hope we ram 🐑 it to them. (pun firmly intended I guess Tony - Mark)

Nicki: Not going to the CC Final as it's Cardiff and too far for me to travel from Scotland but wish everyone who is going a good time and boy are we up against now we have Cardiff on their own ice 😳

Mark: Nope, I'm away back in Northern Ireland for the weekend - something I planned way before we made the semi-finals. I just hope we can break our Challenge Cup hoodoo, it's been a long time coming!

Bethan: I won't be attending because I'm away that weekend, but hopefully it'll be a good game & we can bring home the first bit of silverware for the season! In any case, I'm just glad we knocked the Panthers out of the running!

Nathan: Not going for many reasons. Already committed to the Play Off weekend so that's most of this year's salary gone. It's a school night. It's the Challenge Cup.

And that's this week's soapbox...
 

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

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

From The Editor's Chair - Edition 26

I've talked about a lot of things in my weekly column. We've had an account about my trip to Jönköping, my top three Steelers netminders and end of season title predictions to name just three topics over the last 25 weeks. Now I'm going to bring up a subject which is really going to get you thinking.

This week, we're going to talk about retired shirt numbers.

As you know, Steelers have retired six shirt numbers:

4 - Tim Cranston

7 - Ronnie Wood

9 - Ken Priestlay

11 - Tommy Plommer

16 - Tony Hand

26 - Ron Shudra

So who should receive the honour next if the Club decides to retire another jersey? I'll give you four possible candidates in my books. Some of you will think yeah, that's a good shout, and some of you will think I'm wrong. But that's why we love to have our own opinions. Here's my shortlist of four:

Jason Hewitt (17) - "The British Bulldog" came to Sheffield as a raw 22 year old from Basingstoke Bison in 2005 whom he had joined after the demise of the London Racers. Ten full seasons later, Hewitt left after a club record 682 appearances and also a club record 1107 penalty minutes. His never say die attitude was a trademark of his game, and he never backed down from anyone. A player who always played with his heart on his sleeve.

Rod Sarich (19) - One of the best modern day imports the club has had. His points production for a defenceman in the Elite League years is something will probably never be beaten. He started off as an offensive d-man, and after bouncing back from an almost career ending injury plus being cast adrift under Doug Christiansen, he became one of the most dependable men on the blue line. Now, at the time of writing, he's back albeit as injury cover. Surely he deserves the 19 retiring or at least a testimonial game?

Jonathan Phillips (20) - The most decorated Steelers captain for a long, long time. Not the most vocal of skippers, he just demands respect just by presence. Whilst Jonna doesn't put up massive points night by night, season by season, it's his work ethic that is second to none. Quietly going about his business night by night, Jonna always gives 100 per cent and is a coach's dream. He's said that we are the club where he finish his career, not back in Cardiff, and his testimonial was so richly deserved for a club stalwart: just like Thommo and Hewy the years previous.

Joey Talbot (36) - Now this is a controversial choice of my own. Joey was in my eyes the sniper supreme and with Jeff Legue, was a potent weapon in the four years he was at the Club. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to score you a goal. In those four years, Joey scored 159 goals and 321 points overall in just 265 games. That's absolutely mental. Just goes to think what he might have achieved if he played and retired at the same time as sidekick Legue. Yeah; he would have hit at 250 goals I'm convinced...at least! I was also honoured to sponsor his home jersey in his final season.


Yeah you might agree with the four, you might agree with one or two, you might not agree at all. But as always I respect everyone else's thoughts and opinions. Let me know who you reckon should have their number hoisted to the rafters next. It's bound to happen sometime.  

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

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Big Match Preview - Edinburgh (Home)

With three wins in their last four league games, Steelers are in a bit of form. Paul Thompson has not given the title up, but everyone knows full well that winning out is our only chance of making history. It's the final game in hand this season; but it's also a banana skin waiting to happen.

Our visitors to the en-suite bathroom on Wednesday night are as follows:

It's Michal Dobron's Edinburgh Capitals. And they come to Sheffield 24 hours after playing a crucial game in the Sky Dome. They also have a roster capable of surprising anyone and have a good record in recent years at Ice Sheffield. That has to be arrested and a professional 60 minute perfomance is required to keep the title dream alive which some have given up on and some haven't. 

Winning this game would be crucial for league positions too. We currently are one point adrift of the Belfast Giants, and a home triumph would move us above them and change the dynamic of the play-off match ups. We're currently, as it stands, planned to face the Bears which would be a game that most Steelers fans would like to avoid as it has potential loss written all over it because of the unpredictable nature of playing the Bears. With Braehead on the verge of winning the Gardiner Conference; they can clinch this on Saturday night, second place becomes an interesting alternative plan.

Steelers should make it four league wins out of five, well shouldn't they? Play with trepidation and allow the Capitals to settle will be something that we need to avoid. 

Prediction? Steelers to get their win and by 5-2 as the Caps will make very awkward indeed.

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

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Elite Report - Week 26 Preview

Games are coming thick and fast as the season starts to get busy and teams begin to battle for titles and places in the end of season play-offs. Who will be successful? Time to preview week 26, which starts tomorrow.

Week 25's review will be featured later in the week...

Tuesday 21 February 2017:

Coventry Blaze v Edinburgh Capitals: Capitals need to win this to keep those final eight dreams alive, Blaze want the points to stay in the top eight. Blaze win in regulation.

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils: Devils using their game in hand against a Panthers side that have been inconsistent since winning the Continental Cup. Devils after overtime.

Saturday 25 February 2017:

Belfast Giants v Fife Flyers: Surely Giants will overcome the Flyers after a pointless weekend just gone. We think they will too, and win it in regulation.

Braehead Clan v Dundee Stars: Clan can win the Gardiner Conference if they beat the Stars on Saturday night, and we reckon it will happen. A regulation win for Finner's purple men.

Cardiff Devils v Coventry Blaze: Coventry's last trip to Ice Arena Wales ended in joy. Can they make it a double and in the process damage Cardiff's title dream? Would be nice but won't happen. Devils in regulation.

Manchester Storm v Edinburgh Capitals: Storm still have aspirations of making the final eight. Capitals don't usually travel well but could make it awkward. Storm to edge in overtime.

Sunday 26 February 2017:

Coventry Blaze v Manchester Storm: This game could be a real barn burner as both teams have the same aspirations. Expect it to be close and feisty, Blaze to edge a win after overtime.

Edinburgh Capitals v Cardiff Devils: A potential banana skin for Andrew Lord's men but they'll be professional enough and skate away with a regulation away win.

Fife Flyers v Belfast Giants: Like Cardiff, Belfast have a banana skin of their own. They won't like reminding of their last visit to Kirkcaldy when they lost 9-5! They'll make up for it but will need overtime.

So that's how the prediction machine thinks it'll all unfold. What do you think? 

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

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog