From The Editor's Chair - Edition 33

Welcome back to my column, which will be appearing on an ad-hoc basis through the close season just like "The Elite Report". I'm penning this particular article on the first rest day of the World Championship Division 1B tournament which is being held in Belfast. Those who follow my personal Twitter account will know I'm tweeting on it.

However for those not, here's a recap on events there so far and my views on the building of the 2017-18 Steelers roster as it stands.

One thing I've noticed so far is a lot of negative comments of the size of the crowds so far for the WM1B tournament. Sure the place has been less than 25 per cent full so far but come on people give the organisers a wee break. Not many people thought we would have a chance of hosting such a tournament of this kind of stature ever again but it's actually happening. Belfast as a city wanted it, the local council here wanted it so you've got to give them a bit of kudos for looking to establish hockey more in Northern Ireland.

Crowds as I've said have been disappointing but day two yesterday saw it get better and to me it's all a learning curve. We might never see something like this happen for a bit; yet let's say thanks for those who have worked in the background to make this possible. So what's the tournament been like so far? Here's my analysis of each of the competing nations after two rounds completed.

Japan: The pre-tournament favourites considering they were relegated from Division 1A last year. They do look exceptionally good but all three goals that they have conceded have come in the same style; high over the glove. May be this could be their weakness but offensively they are always looking to score.

Netherlands: As much as they give a lot of effort, the Dutch are definitely the whipping boys of this group of six. They've conceded 14 goals in their opening two games and it's hard to see them recording a win due to constant defensive fragilities. A return to Division 2A looks on the cards.

Croatia: One word sums up the Croatians at the moment, inconsistent. They're like watching us (Steelers) at times to be honest. One minute they will be causing many a problem, the next they are wanting you to tear your hair out. They are going to hold their own but a top three finish might just be beyond them.

Estonia: I've been a bit disappointed with the Estonians so far. They do not look as a fluid as I've seen them in the past. Star player Robert Rooba has been really below what we're used to seeing, perhaps the issues with loss of equipment has affected his mindset? Can't see these kind of performances being tolerated much more.

Lithuania: Definitely the surprise packet of the tournament so far, and potential dark horses. They are solid in all areas of the ice and confidence has got to be high at the moment. The only downside? Their powerplay is the worst of all six nations, 0% conversion. I would not be surprised in the slightest if they end up runners-up.

Great Britain: The thing about GB's wins at the moment is that they have been workmanlike ones. Pete Russell's men I feel have a bit more to give and that's no slight on the fact they've picked up two wins out of two. A big test will come when they play the impressive Lithuanians but win that and it could set up a Saturday shootout for gold. 

So that's my honest assessments on how things are happening here at the World's and like always; I don't expect everyone to agree with me. Now it's time to talk Steelers and how the roster for next season is taking shape.

Today, Tuesday, saw Steelers confirm the re-signing of British defenceman Davey Phillips for the 2017-18 season. Davey becomes the 12th member of last season play-off winning roster to return to the House of Steel. With apparently one more member left to re-sign before Paul Thompson apparently starts to "plug the gaps"; one can only wonder whom it will be? Either way the announcement is going to be one that gets us all talking and wonder if Thompson has retained certain players which some of us armchair coaches wouldn't?

Four spots remain on the blue line, and as it stands five on the forwards side plus the back up netminder role. I still fully expect Brad Day to come back as Moose's deputy, then after that following on from the announcement later in the week then we will know what gaps we need to fill. Or is the statement about plugging the gaps just a smokescreen that we're planning on retaining more of last season's core? You can't tell to be honest. Thompson knows it obviously, having completed all his player end of season interviews. The players themselves will know too; as usual we're sitting waiting for news.

Gut instinct tells me we're going to see a few faces, which means we might have seen the last of players such as Markus Nilsson, Andi Valdix and Mike Ratchuk to name just three. I may be wrong, but it's all seemingly saying so at present. The big surprise to me is that BOC has not been re-signed, maybe he is the final returnee, or is Ben wanting to try his luck abroad again? Having played in the KHL, he's good enough to be picked up by any top notch European side. But let's see which piece of the puzzle falls in next; then speculate names whom we'd like to see in the gaps. Bringing back such a good core can only augur well.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@Disgu15ed

Check out Breaking The Ice: Our Podcast

Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud

Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

EIHL Rosters 2017-2018: Ins and Outs (as of 21 April 2017)

Hello everyone and welcome to a running post where we are going to track the signings of the Elite League teams. The in and outs will be all documented here, and we plan to update this every week if possible. If we can't for some reason, it'll be updated as and when we can.

Despite the uncertainty, we're going to include Dundee, Edinburgh and Fife on this initial update. So who's in and who's out? Read on...

All are contract extensions unless stated otherwise.

Belfast Giants:

Head Coach:

In: Jim Vandermeer, Blair Riley, Steve Saviano

Out: Derrick Walser (PC), Michael Forney

Braehead Clan:

Head Coach:

In: Zach Sullivan, Matt Haywood, Bari McKenzie, Craig Peacock

Out: Ryan Finnerty (HC), Matt Keith, Alex Leavitt (retired)

Cardiff Devils:

Player-Coach: Andrew Lord
In:
Out:

Coventry Blaze:
Head Coach: Danny Stewart
In: David Clements, Jordan Pietrus, Ross Venus
Out: Russ Cowley (Retired), Jim Jorgensen

Dundee Stars:
Head Coach: Marc LeFebvre
In:
Out:

Edinburgh Capitals:
Head Coach:
In: Jordan Marr, Michael D'Orazio, Jay King, Tyler Plews, Taylor MacDougall
Out:

Fife Flyers:
Head Coach: 
In:
Out: Shane Owen (BIK Karlskoga)

Guildford Flames:
Head Coach:
In: 
Out:

Manchester Storm:
Head Coach:
In:
Out:

Milton Keynes Lightning:
Head Coach: Peter Russell
In: Jordan Hedley, Przemyslaw Odrobny, James Griffin, Jordan Cownie, Lewis Hook
Out:

Nottingham Panthers:
Head Coach: Corey Neilson
In:
Out: Miika Wiikman, Alex Nikiforuk, Brad Moran (Retired)

Sheffield Steelers:
Head Coach: Paul Thompson
In: Ervins Mustukovs, Zack Fitzgerald, John Armstrong, Guillaume Desbiens, Robert Dowd, Luke Ferrara, Liam Kirk, Levi Nelson, Jonathan Phillips, Mathieu Roy, Cole Shudra
Out: Geoff Walker, Anders Franzon (Retired)

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@Disgu15ed

Check out Breaking The Ice: Our Podcast

Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud

Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

From The Editor's Chair - Episode 32

I'm going to finish my personal column this season with some reflections back on it. There's been a few highlights and a few low ones too, as you can imagine because if we won all the time then people would be bored and predictable. So sit down and see if these thoughts reconcile with you. Sorry for the length of the article though...

The season kicked in for us in mid August when we had a couple of pre-season scrimmages with Danes Aalborg Pirates, conveniently arranged through Mr Thompson's contacts there no less. Pretty competitive workouts and the first look at the newly assembled squad; and wasn't that interesting with Mike Ratchuk getting stuck in when some Dane roughed up one of ours? I remember coming out of Ice Sheffield thinking, blimey that new number 44 looks a bit keen and feisty!

Aalborg's game was a warm up for the upcoming Champions Hockey League a few days after and it took a couple of late goals in the final 10 minutes to seal the deal for the Swedes after Steelers had them on the ropes at 3-3. What unravelled us was the next game was just two days away, and a lengthy trip from southern Sweden to Austria. Not exactly a short hop for a couple of stops is it? Er, no. We held it to 1-0 at the end of twenty but then fatigue kicked in big time daddio, especially in the third to concede four and crash 8-1. I wonder if Panthers and Devils will get this kinda schedule next year. Let us watch that one carefully...

The return games back in Sheffield were good, and to be honest I enjoyed them better than the previous year's against Frolunda HC and JYP. HV71 schooled us on how to run a powerplay in game three of the group games, they won 5-2 and all five came on the man advantage. We did compete and you know, I felt comfortable and happy with the roster. Loved HV71 and their supporters so much I've been back since on an independent trip (non-CHL) and come back with the shirt...you'll have seen me in the jersey in the Arena - some think it looks like a Panthers top but it's not!

I really started to feel more confident about the team after the return with Red Bull, for that night we stood as one and we battered them even if they had a usual back up starting. Steelers came off to thunderous applause and a 5-2 win. New signing Jesse Schultz scored a hat-trick which made most of us think, me certainly, that we had found a sniper at last after seasons of searching following Joey Talbot's departure. How wrong we were eventually...

The team changed a bit over the season. We lost Tyler Mosienko jfirst , as he exercised an option in his contract extension to leave if a better offer came in. As much as players come and players go, I think we never really replaced Tyler. He had an uncanny knack of making plays happen when least expected and had an energy level that just seemed to go on and on like a Duracell bunny as I sometimes referred to him. Tyler's replacement came was Yared Hagos, an experienced Swedish internationalist, and I can't really say he was a replacement because the style played by each was completely different. He certainly looks like Theopoulis P Wildbeeste from the 80s TV comedy "The Lenny Henry Show" - just google and see.

Just before Christmas, we released Schultz. Although he was averaging a point a game prior his departure, that does not tell the real picture. He had a few niggles, like all hockey players do, but he was "missing" in games and wasn't up to expectations: especially after the CHL hat-trick mentioned above. After what seemed an age, we replaced him with Geoff Walker who had scored fun for Fassa HC in the Alps League. Walker, as time went on, got used to the Thompson/Andersson systems worked and in a certain game really was at his best. Finally, on deadline day Christoffer Bjorklund went back to Mora and we asked Rod Sarich back as injury cover. Due to Mike Ratchuk's unfortunate hand injury, Rod ended playing the rest of the season on the blue line.

As for everyone, Moose was fantastic. I don't care what Corey Neilson thinks, because he's a deluded Panther from down the M1, but Moose is better than Miika Wiikman. Granted Wiikman had very little defence in front of times and had to bail them out; but then again so did Moose for us. The defence as a whole for us was a weak point, Zack was steady and dependable as ever, "Shaggy" (David Phillips) improved as games went on after an uncertain start, Ben (O'Connor) was offensive as ever but developing a decent two way game but none of the others really stood out. Franzon was simple but to his own strengths, whilst Coyle didn't look comfy on occasions. Ratchuk, I think has untapped potential.

Up top, we had a few bit of scoring with four players topping 20 goals in the league campaign, but then secondary scoring dried up: Levi Nelson's 18 being the next best. Talking about Nelson, and his "Bash Brother" (Robert Dowd): how much did they miss the absence of Swede Andreas Valdix on their line when the latter was injured? Valdix missed 20 league games, that's a lot. When those three were together, they glued stronger than Loctite and were imperious. Imagine what could have been achieved if Valdi played a full season? Gets you thinking...

So onto the season itself. League first, and if ever a couple of words could describe it then "Consistently inconsistent" would be them. Cardiff were deserved winners in the end but we could have been much more closer, maybe overtaken them, if we hadn't hit too many bumps in the road proverbially speaking. The home double header defeat in January against the Giants, the Christmas blank against an average Bears (I couldn't resist mentioning the Bear, sorry) roster as prime examples and that's eight points down the drain which if taken would have given us the title on regulation wins. That much of a difference, and history could have been made.

Challenge Cup, a competition that many of us (including me) despise with a passion. Up to recently we should have renamed it the Nottingham Bears Cup due to their dominance they had it in. We made the Final in Cardiff, which reminds me "Todd (Kelman), sort out some public mobile reception in IAW and/or wi-fi. Thanks!", and we did kinda alright for the first period then we let the Devils snowball slowly steamroll us. Five shots on Bowns in the second and third periods combined is abysmal, sorry but it is. We were lucky Moose was on hand to stop an absolute drubbing, 3-2 flattered us.

Now the play-offs, and you would have not thought what did happen would happen after the first twenty minutes in Nottingham at the quarter final first leg stage as we trailed 4-0, yes I repeat 4-0! We rallied and left on April Fool's night 5-2 behind. Three goals to pull back at home, that's a task and half we thought but we took it back to them and despite Wiikman's accidental injury (anyone who thinks otherwise, you're deluded as Corey) we were 4-0 up with eight seconds left until Chris Lawrence levelled. But it seemed to inspire the boys to more and when Desbiens scored that winner at 61:39 the roof almost came off of the old building. Quite simply the most sensational game ever there.

Semi-Final against the Giants and I admit it we were so cautious it was unreal but we saw them off despite being out-shot. Then could we stop that snowball once and for all? What followed now remains the best memory ever. Cardiff score early, we level not long after but two more goals have Cardiff up by 3-1. Staring like the barrel of a gun I thought but we take it to them and finish it 5-4 ahead after the second. Remarkable. 

Devils pull it to 5-5 then Moose and Bownsy are in clinic mode, save after save. It goes to overtime, then double overtime and we're just over five minutes left of that (bearing it's now 8pm, four hours play and ice cut time) when Nelson; bless his orange socks; winds up one effort despite playing damn hurt (turns out at the end he's been playing this hurt for six damn weeks!) and it sails over Bownsy and lights that red lamp. Steelers fans go mental, I end up with a nose bleed as if Brian McGrattan had decided to lump ten bells out of me, and the rest of the Arena is stunned with the rest of the Cardiff team. Quite simply the best hockey game I've ever been to and I know many will agree.

And that was my hockey season, 2016-17. How was yours?

Starting later this week, I'll relaunch "The Elite Report" on an ad-hoc basis so we can track the team roster updates as they happen. I'm including Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife until as we know.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@Disgu15ed

Check out Breaking The Ice: Our Podcast

Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud

Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 Week 32 - End Of Season Awards

For the final soapbox of this season, we've been asking a few of you for your votes for the FSB Oscars so to speak with numerous polls on the Twitter account. Who's going to walk off the title of FSB Player of the Year, and which player impressed you enough from the other nine EIHL clubs?

Time to don the tuxedos and posh frocks literally. It's awards time here at Frozen Steel Blog.

Import of the Season: Almost 650 of you voted in the opening category. Winning the award with 47% of those votes, 11% clear of his nearest rival, skate forward GUILLAUME DESBIENS! Congratulations Desi.

Brit of the Season: Another 600 plus vote count for this but 59% of them went to ROBERT DOWD. So a round of applause for the Billingham-born winger who has been always popular ever since he broke into the Steelers team full time in 2008. 

Goal of the Season: This was another landslide win with the winner capturing 61% of the 645 votes; second only managing 23%. It was an unforgettable goal on an unforgettable night. Skate forward again GUILLAUME DESBIENS, for that game winner in the play-off quarter final second leg against the Panthers.

Road Win of the Season: We have had a few decent games on the road this season, and also some that we want to forget as well. Surprisingly enough, this winner picked up 55% out of 551 votes cast and was a clear winner too. For your effort in it, please skate forward BRAD DAY as it was the 3-2 win in the NIC on the final away game that sealed the deal.

Home Performance of the Season: Yet another clear cut winner. This winner took 52% of 568 votes cast. We've mentioned earlier; so there is only one game to mention. For the third time tonight, can GUILLAUME DESBIENS come forth to collect. It's that play-off quarter final second leg that won the hearts of the voters.

Most Improved Player: Much more closer contest this one, only 5% gap between the winner and the runner-up. Winning it with 38% is a guy who came unknown but pleased us no end with his tenacity and never say quit attitude whether it be 5 on 5 or on special teams. Your winner is MARKUS NILSSON!

Stripey of the Season: Back to the convincing winning treatment, there was only one clear winner and that shows how much you have this guy in high regard. The winner with a clear 74% of almost 600 votes cast, TOM DARNELL. Popular stripey with us all, and one that is not afraid to explain why he did this and that post game with a beer in his hands.

Most Consistent Player: We have had a few consistent players this season, one's who show up every night and refuse to accept more than putting 100% in every shift. The kind of player we want to stay a Steeler until the day he decides to hang up those skates. With 45% of the votes cast, he's in for a busy night tonight folks, yes the winner is our number 41...GUILLAUME DESBIENS!

Best New Signing: We have a few changes, like all clubs do, in the close season. The winner of the award captured 40% of your hearts and probably is a guy that a lot of our female support like..I've even overheard some call him "a bit of dish" which is for those not aware; he's bloody gorgeous. We'll get to see him next season as well, your winner is JOHN ARMSTRONG.

Worst New Signing: I'm not sure he would like to come back and pick this award up since he left before Christmas. Despite averaging a point a game, there were many games that he went missing and he was supposed to be our new sniper. With 44% of the winning votes, this goes to JESSE SCHULTZ.

Non Steelers Player of the Season: As much it would be nice, this award is going down to South Wales like most EIHL silverware in 2017. It might take a diversion via Swinton which probably tells you the identity of the winner. He says he hates us but that's just Cardiff PR we think; the recipient of this goes to Cardiff netminder BEN BOWNS. Ben took 58% of the vote, his closest chaser only had 16%!

FSB Player of the Season: So the big gong, who will win the Player of the Season? The battle was reasonably close, eventually 9% separated the winner from second placed. If he can summon one last bit of energy, it's the guy who gave me a nose bleed in Nottingham but for all the right reasons though. Your winner with 43% of 595 votes cast; LEVI NELSON.

Best Play-Off Winning Goal: To conclude tonight's awards, we have had 3 goal winners of the play offs in the last nine finals. So which one did mean the most to you? 59% of the votes went to the winner and what a winner it was. Again somehow struggle to stage for the award, your winner of the Best POWG is Robert Dowd's "Bash Brother" and linemate: LEVI NELSON!

And that's your awards....we might decide to run this monthly next season so watch out for developments on that train of thought. Then we might not.... We do appreciate every single vote cast for sure. Well done to all the winners.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@Disgu15ed

Check out Breaking The Ice: Our Podcast

Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud

Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Game highlight links - April 2017

Thought I'd add up a rolling post where we can share links to Steelers highlights from across the league - if you want links, we've got you covered!

Running record for April: 3 wins (all the important ones!) and 1 loss


An away loss against the Panthers (here) in the Play-off QF 1st leg

A home win against the Panthers (here) in the Play-off QF 2nd leg

The play-off semi-final win against the Giants (here)

The play-off final win against the Devils (here)

That's it for April 2017 - have a great summer.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@Disgu15ed

Check out Breaking The Ice: Our Podcast

Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud

Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Elite Report - Weeks 29 and 30 Review

Welcome one and all to the bumper review that takes in weeks 29 and 30 of the Elite League. The play-offs start tonight, Saturday, and we have covered them already in Mark's column. So how did our final couple of predicting weeks unfold? Guess you better read on...

Week 29:

That began on St. Patrick's night as Dundee hosted the Panthers, and Corey's boys certainly didn't read the script we predicted and dimmed the Stars 4-1. Following night, could we improve? The answer was a definite as we picked up two correct results thanks to the Giants and the Panthers. It could have been better had Fife won in overtime rather than a regulation win and least said about our prediction of the Storm-Stars match-up.

Sunday wasn't as positive though as we only recorded one success out of the three. That success came courtesy of the newly crowned Elite League champions, Cardiff, as they made short work of the visiting Fife Flyers. Losses for both Coventry and Edinburgh, where the Panthers made it 3 wins in as many nights at the latter, made the final analysis for week 29 to be three out of eight.

Week 30:

Another eight game spread to close out the regular season, and started with a flop as Manchester went into the ever so-fabulous NIC and recorded a superb 3-1 road triumph which was not what we, never mind Corey, wanted. The following night, we recorded just one success out of the three so a big thank you to the Clan for that. Devils saw off Giants in regulation as did Dundee with Fife despite us thinking both games would go to overtime.

So the final day of the regular season, could we finish with a flourish? Quite simply, no, as we obtained just one out of the four as Giants won in IAW. Everywhere else, the results went in favour of the teams we predicted against. 

So over the two weeks, we managed to procure four wins out of a possible sixteen, in essence a 25% success rate. Overall it meant we finished on 90 out of 243 games, and a percentage of .370 which was a very disappointing finish after so much success in the last few weeks. We'll be back with more predictions next season under the new format. Talking about, have you registered your interest in it?  

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@Disgu15ed

Check out Breaking The Ice Available on iTunes to listen and download, also on SoundCloud

Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com