Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 Week 27 - Have we lost it now?

Later than usual, it's time again for the Frozen Steel Blog Hockey Soapbox. On the panel for you this week are your blog Editors Mark and Tony, Nathan Turner and a welcome return from the lovably eccentric Eric Green.

That's the introduction done, time to get on them soapboxes...

1. Five Words on Saturday

Tony: The better team won Corey 

Nathan: Convincing Despite Five Minute Wobble

Mark: Scrappy but got job done

Eric: Nearly threw it away! AGAIN!

 

2. Five Words on Sunday

Nathan: All Title Hopes Now Gone?

Mark: Crash landing! Title bid ruined

Eric: End of our championship run..

Tony: Taken on the counter again

 

3. Do you agree with Neilson that the best team lost on Saturday, and if so why?

Mark: Whoever writes his comments must be off their rocker; either that or ol' Corey is talking b****cks as usual. I've never encountered a coach with such a massive ego, certainly wouldn't want him in Sheffield for sure! Best side lost Corey? Mate, you're having a laugh! You only turned up for small portions of the game, less than 10 minutes I think. I reckon you (Corey) should start worrying about missing the play-offs rather than come out with crazy comments like that!

Eric: Sexy Neilson hockey! Yeah right.... The man is DELUSIONAL (having false or unrealistic beliefs) I'm pretty sure that the majority of fans watching the game believed that, other than 5 minutes in the 3rd, were we nearly threw it away, Steelers dominated.. So to say the better side lost. Well whatever he was drinking I don't want any...(probably brewed by Gary Moron Eric - Editor Mark's note)

Tony: I don't even think Corey believes that, he's just trying to explain why a failing coach needs to be kept on for year two of his rolling contract. Mr Black has admitted that this is the most expensive Panthers squad ever and they're still mid-table.

Nathan: The best team LOST???? Really? Seriously???? I ask you this Mr Neilson, what colour is the sky in your little world? Have you been eating dung for breakfast? Despite a 5 minute lapse in the 3rd there was only one team in it! OK that's probably not strictly true but not far off.

 

4. Who is your unsung player of the season?

Eric: My unsung hero. 2 really..... Jono Phillips, the guy steps onto the ice and does the simple things right, chips in, like he did Saturday and leads from the front. The Moose.... Done more minutes than any other keeper in the league and he still has a top average. For me, if the D in front of him had done the business, then his average would be way, way better..

Tony: Marcus - although he's much more sung than unsung recently!

Nathan: Struggling with this one. None really spring to mind so I'm going to have to go with Jonathan Philips. Our Captain never really puts a foot or a hand wrong and just gets on with his job. A fabulous skater and totally reliable. Never the headline maker as such but such an important cog in the Steelers machine. Captain Fantastic.

Mark: Markus Nilsson, comes into the league as a complete unknown and is an absolute gem! Get him on a new 2 or 3 year deal now, we'd be stupid not to retain him. Same goes for his fellow Swede, Yaldi Valdi - sure Dowdy and Levi would appreciate that!

 

5. How many of the other EIHL rinks (including Hull but excluding MK and Guildford) have you visited?

Tony: Only missing Braehead and IAW in Cardiff myself, and include the big blue tent, Basingstoke and Hull when they were Elite too.

Mark: Never visited Basingstoke when they were Elite so that would be a must if they jump back. However in one season, did all ten rinks at least once with Mr Frozen Steel MNL and I have the t-shirt to prove it. Done both IAW even if it was for a charity tournament, but I have been there, and the BBT. Wish they'd sort the Wi-Fi out in IAW though!

Eric: Love Belfast, just love it. Edinburgh what a cold pad that is. Manchester, the off ice atmosphere is by far the best. Braehead is, for me a lovely rink, and the size is good too. Miss Hull Stingrays rink. Coventry not a bad rink but the parking is awfully pricey. Nottingham brilliant, shame it's full of Neanderthals. Not been to Dundee or Fife (although I have seen Fife's rink) hopefully the fixtures will dictate that next season we could make a weekend of it. As for Cardiff not been, don't want to go either...

Nathan: Myself and the good lady Wife have visited Hull, Belfast, Cardiff (IAW), Nottingham, Manchester & Coventry. Edinburgh is on our list for next season.

 

6. And finally...who is the best mascot in the EIHL?

Nathan: Apart from our Dan, I'd probably say Clangus. Fife's guy is pretty good but the Giants and Storm mascots creep me out a bit.

Eric: Well I am biased and there is only one. Steeler Dan... Don't get the blow up doll down in Nottingham. But a close second is Clangus.

Tony: Clangus - end of.

Mark: It has to be Clangus, she's amazing. Quite an amazing person to encounter off-ice too, always smiling.

And that's your soapbox this week. If you want to join, the links are below.

 

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:

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

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Elite Report - Week 27 Preview

Hopefully we can do as well as we did last week. And hopefully we put the right fixtures down in the preview. Here's your look ahead to another week of EIHL action.

Friday 3 March 2017

Manchester Storm v Cardiff Devils: Not the easiest prep for a Cup Final but one that the leaders can overcome. Storm were beaten by Caps in Alty last weekend, Devils will find a way through in regulation.

Nottingham Panthers v Braehead Clan: This is a game which quite simply could go anyway. Nobody knows what kind of Bears team is going to play, Clan have a miserable record in the NIC too. Bears regulation methinks.

Saturday 4 March 2017

Belfast Giants v Manchester Storm: Storm go across the sea and it could be a bumpy game against the Giants who still harbour, like Steelers, faint title dreams. Giants in regulation.

Dundee Stars v Braehead Clan: Just a case of getting more points on the board for Clan now the Gardiner Conference is secure. Stars still hoping for eighth spot, home overtime win it is then.

Fife Flyers v Edinburgh Capitals: Nothing more than two points is what the Capitals need if they want to gatecrash the party. Fife won't be generous though, home regulation win.

Sunday 5 March 2017

Edinburgh Capitals v Dundee Stars: The bottom two face off in what could be either a goalfest or a cagey encounter that could go beyond 60. Quite Stars to take this one and after overtime as well.

Those are this week's predictions, how about yours?     

 

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:

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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 Review

Another action packed week just gone in the Elite Ice Hockey League. Could we make a decent bunch of predictions out of it? Or would it be more abject failure like as it has been all season? Read and find out...

It all began on Tuesday night, and whilst they made heavy weather (no, I don't mean you Storm Doris) of the Capitals: the Blaze went on and recorded what most expected (including us) which was a regulation home win. However, we did not anticipate what did happen in Lace City to happen. The Bears actually showed up and had some offence to their game and basically made Cardiff look ordinary again. A win in normal time. Therefore for us in predicting terms, a fifty per cent success rate.

No further games until Saturday, and what can you say about this? We got three out of four, yes you are not blinking or thinking you are drunk. Giants, Clan and Devils all recorded regulation wins just as we predicted, absolutely fantastic. Capitals spoiled the full house though with win in Altrincham, but still we're pleased overall with our efforts for this particular game day.

Did you notice the mistake on last week's predictions for Sunday? I'm surprised you didn't all tweet about it. I'd typed it as Fife v Belfast when it should have been Nottingham v Belfast. I'll scrape the egg off my face if that's alright. Anyway the predictions, which were awesomely good the night before: proved to be a complete damp squib. Absolutely nothing, nada, bog all. A sour end to what had been pretty reasonable don't you think?

So overall we got four out of nine, and with a bit more luck on the Sunday then it could have been a lot more positive. Statistically, we are at 81 out of 213 and a percentage increase to .380 which ain't too shabby. Can we continue the upward trend? Here's hoping anyway..

 

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:

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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 - Challenge Cup Final

Saturday was Coventry, Sunday becomes the biggest game of the season so far. Are you ready, it's CHALLENGE CUP FINAL DAY!

After another arduous campaign, we've made the Final in Ice Arena Wales. It's a repeat of the 2015 Final; which we hosted remember; and against the opposition are:

The Elite League champions-elect as I tend to feel, lie in wait for us. They are as you know; pretty consistent in their performances and on home ice: tend to win more than they actually lose. But Cup Finals, even in any sport, are one off showdowns where actually anything could happen. Hockey is no difference whatsoever.

Gerad Adams, former Devils and Steelers coach, says it right: "Lesser players could step up in the Final". Players like your David Brine, who has done absolutely nothing all season points wise, could simply explode and take control from a Devils perspective. Likewise you could have the unsung Swede known as Yared Hagos from our side. All it takes though is a team mentality that they can go out there and win.

Atmosphere will be incredible, and we know how loud and noisy them Devils fans can be. It's as if they do act like that player on the ice, and I am sure the players feel that way. Depending on our physical encounter the night before, we know that Sunday is going to feel like climbing Everest. Everyone expects Devils to win, so do I sadly, but sometimes teams literally freeze on occasions and a shock happens. Just look the FA Cup and the exploits of non-league Lincoln City if you want to think it through.

The team is capable of ending the Challenge Cup drought, 2003 was the last time we won it and that was in the Super League era. History should fate us to win then right? If we play Cardiff like Cardiff play us, and make them feel pressurised then it could be a very happy trip back from South Wales. Play like we have played against Cardiff most of the season, then loss and despair beckons and that's the worst feeling in the world.

Prediction? As much as I would love us to win it, my heart is with the Devils to capture the first of their Grand Slam (yes Nottingham they're on course for it properly) trophies. It pains me to type this but Devils will win this by probably a score of 4-1. Prove me wrong boys!

 

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:

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

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Big Match Preview - Coventry (Home)

After we called on the podcast, Steelers had a bit of a crash landing on Sunday. Losing to Fife was a bitter pill to swallow as it ended a recent good run of form and also saw us relinquish second place back to Belfast.

The guys have a tough task on Saturday night as we entertain the following guys to the House of Steel:

Yes it's to be honest the more inconsistent Blaze, coached by Danny Stewart. Games with the Blaze have been shall say entertaining this season. goal fests, delayed starts and the odd fight or two. Nothing out of the ordinary then right? I expect more excitement, for better turn of word, to happen Saturday and it's going to be a bruising encounter not what we want to have 24 hours to follow. It's hardly the easiest game ever.

Blaze have it in them to spoil us as much as Fife did on Sunday. A second successive loss cannot be ruled out at all. They are still in a scrap themselves for that precious eighth slot in the end of season play-offs and that's their motivation; they don't want their season to end come 26 March 2017. Which player would do to be honest?

Professional performance needed on Saturday and one that we can come out with no further knocks. Hopefully Dowdy will return after that stick to the face, not so sure about "Yaldi Valdi" (Andreas Valdix) though. One of them will be a lift, both would be amazeballs. The goalie issue is delicate too, do we start Moose and give say 30-40 minutes then if the score is comfy rest him for a bit? Brad deserves a bit of ice tonight, but a lot of it depends on how the game is going. I wouldn't like that kind of decision; over to you guys Paul and Jerry...

Prediction? Going to be scrappy, which will suit Blaze down to the ground. I'm going for another 4-2 home win. What about you? 

 

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