THREE weeks into the season and we are finding more and more about the class of 2014-15. G’s own team, so meticulously put together with a great deal of patience over the summer. This is what I have to say over the weekend just gone.
Again I didn’t attend either the games, circumstances dictating this but I will be there this weekend. Which therefore gets me to pose the question: does the fact I didn’t go make a lesser fan than those who went to one or both games last weekend? Probably not. But there are doubters that may think the actual polar opposite. I’ll always be a Steeler even when I, at some point, probably move out of the City when personal circumstances state so.
Last Saturday saw us venture down the M1 to go the ever fabulous NIC or is that the Nottingham City Library due to the considerable amounts of silence I have heard in there in the past. Panthers have a much-changed squad this season, and after their CHL exertions (where they competed but ultimately were beaten by better teams), it was interesting to say what they are like this season. Our good friend, sorry I meant nemesis, Sausage Boy Kowalski was in between in the pipes and in former NHL winger Nathan Robinson - a proven scorer on par with our own Colton Fretter.
By all accounts, this Challenge Cup game should now be known as the Dean Smith show. Taking his cue from his South Wales counterpart, Hicksy, the little short a*se handed Corey Neilson’s men no less than 10 powerplay opportunities during the game including 3 times when they had 5 on 3. However, G has obviously worked hard on our penalty kill exploits as we shut the door every time they had a man (or two) advantage. Brilliant work that lads!
In addition, there seemed to be a bit of consternation over the opening goal, Frank Doyle was sure Chris Lawrence had kicked it in but Smith said he hadn’t. As I wasn’t in the library and the fact Panthers don’t do a webcast, I can’t offer my opinion on if it was or it wasn’t. Jono’s equalising goal was a brilliant snipe after Sausage Boy had given up some juicy rebounds - perhaps he (K-Wall) had heard someone was buying him a Berginator or 3 at the Lace Market Fish Bar post-game. The game winner however came early in the third, Benedict netting after we couldn’t get out of our own zone following some intense home pressure.
Sunday, and only the small matter of the current league champions in the cramped confines of the en-suite bathroom. Two referees (Darnell AND Hicks) and two linos as part of the experiment that the EIHL are trialling for two months in inter-conference matches. It was webcast action for myself and we missed Adam Keefe’s opener because the stream froze. One minute we saw Giants attacking, next minute they’re bumping fists on the bench in celebration.
However Jason Hewitt is a much-changed player under G, I’ve even said that on my personal Twitter feed (@hockeybhoy if you want to see my ramblings on there), and it was he who restored parity. A brilliant forehand to backhand move by the British Bulldog that left Stephen Murphy thinking what the actual happened there. One thing we are still in need of improvement is the powerplay (and yes, we’ve been saying that for 3 seasons now) but it clicked at 11:22, Cullen Eddy joining the rush on the man advantage after some excellent movement to net and hand us the lead.
The second period was an anxious but scrappy period, Giants scoring the only marker from Sandrock who poked it past the outstanding Doyle from close in at 24:44. However, in the third we got what proved to be the winner Forney feeding Fretter and our number 67 did the rest. Steve Thornton’s threw everything at us (a third period shot count of 20 to 8 explains it) but found Doyle in imperious form and even when Cheverié found one past Guelph’s finest, it hit the post. All in all a very gutsy win and the bonus of winning it in regulation time. Who knows how crucial that might be in the eventual long run?
We return to our home this Saturday, and what a great feeling it is to say that. The play-off winners banner will be hoisted to the rafters and another potential cracker against Cardiff lies in wait. We will have to do it without Roddy, unfortunately out with a broken bone in his leg, but should see Tyler make his first appearance after completing his five-match suspension. Pascal might return too which means a decision needs to be made on Deeds. If the latter is released, we thank him for his short spell in orange helping us out.
So that concludes everything for now, I’ll be back next week.
Yours in hockey, Mark
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