It's been a funny old season to be a Sheffield Steeler.
From the dark days of November, to the resurgent turn of the year, to Doug's dismissal, to the elation that was the playoff final weekend, its been a strange, strange season.
But with the playoff win, it's clear that we did have a good team. But how good? Lets take a look.
We shall start with the back end. The forwards will come up later today.
Netminders
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| #1 Frank Doyle |
After an unsteady start, Frank became the lynchpin of this Steelers team. If Doyle has a good game, the Steelers have a good game. When he's off it, he's REALLY off it, but when he's on form, he's superb. People seem to have forgotten the worldly saves he made in the Playoff final just to keep us in it. Glad he's coming back next year.
Grade: A - a tad more consistency required
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| #33 Andy Jaszczyk |
It would be a bit unfair to give Andy any grade, as I don't think he made it past double figures in minutes on the ice. Always ready to answer the call if he was needed, but both Doug and Gerad decided against it.
Grade: Ungraded - mitigating circumstances
NB: I'm not grading Geoff Woolhouse. Having not played a single minute, it seems a bit silly.
Defence
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| #2 Chad Langlais |
What can only be described as a mixed bag from Chad this year. Being the only Giant that DC brought over with him, we expected good things from him. I don't think he quite ever hit the level either we expected of him, or he expected of himself. Still a decent assist production, and probably an upgrade on Rod Sarich of last year.
Grade: C - will need to improve if he returns
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| #3 Gord Baldwin |
I feel like I should do this in two halves. The first half of the season, Baldwin was anonymous. Couldn't be found. He was supposed to be a leader of men, and was no such thing. For the second half, see the complete opposite of the above.
Grade: C - Must try harder next year
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| #22 -- Dustin Kohn |
Quite simply, Kohn has been the best D man we have had this year, when he's been on the ice. That's the problem. Recurring concussions, which put fear for his career and his life into some people, meant we haven't yet seen the best of Dustin. If he stays fit for the second year of his MBA, then we'll have one of the top defencemen in the league.
Grade: B - More to come
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| #23 Danny Meyers |
Personally, I'm still disappointed by Danny in a Steelers jersey. He was the captain in Nottingham, he was superb for them every time I saw them - and he hasn't done that for us yet. This year has been an improvement, but I expect more.
Grade: D - Must do better
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| #44 Mark Thomas |
Tommo is as Tommo does. The typical Mr Dependable performances from Mark that you've come to expect. Nothing flashy, just solid D. He's got at least another year with the Steelers, which will mark his testimonial year. A great feat in any sport these days, never mind the topsy-turvy world of UK ice hockey.
Grade: C - Just what you'd expect
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| #49 Drew Fata |
It's funny with Drew. For a physical D man of his stature, he can be so bewilderingly anonymous on the ice. He jumps into plays without thought, ignoring his defensive duties, and can be culpable for quite a few goals. But then he turns up with a huge hit or a vital goal at crucial times. I think we'd be poorer without him on the team, I just again want more for him. Then again, who on the team wouldn't you want an improvement from.
Grade: B - One of those clutch players people who know what they're talking about, go on about
I'll be back later on with part 2. In the meantime, tell me why I'm wrong on Twitter or the forum.
Liam
@IAmMcCausland
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