Thursday afternoon, just 24 hours to go before game time. Yes folks you heard me right, I did say 24 hours and not 48. That's because we play on a Friday night at home this weekend against the Cardiff Devils as Kasabian have a date at the House of Steel on the Saturday. We head into the game with confidence pretty good after a 4 point weekend last Saturday and Sunday but those games are done with and it's what happens this weekend that now becomes the focus. Strap yourselves in again, this is another huge one.
Wasn't it good for starters to see a very healthy crowd inside the House of Steel last Saturday for the Panthers game, almost 7200 in total. That does show me that the contest between these two hockey heavyweights are still decent box office draws; you only have to look at the sold out signs from NG1 for the game on 27 December to see that. Granted there will be a few newbies in the crowd but the entertainment we got last Saturday was good entertainment even if the officiating wasn't exactly brilliant from Messers Cowan and Wilson.
After a start where Panthers did most of the early questioning, the game got interesting when Cowan adjudged Dowdy had checked a Panther and it was worthy of a 2+10 call. Like most I thought it was a harsh call, and even seeing the replay over and over again I stand by this decision. But that decision seemed to fire the team up more than it actually benefited Panthers. So much so that young Mr Boxill (who was an irritant all night alongside Mr Farmer) got caught holding a home stick in front of Cowan and was sent for a seat of his own. Steelers then worked the puck well on the 4 on 4 and Cullen and Ooh Aah found Mike Forney in the circle to the right of Modig and he rifled one top shelf for his 22nd of the season.
That's how it stayed first period, and we weren't waiting longer before we were giving Modig the Whoosh treatment. Is there any better intelligent player in the EIHL than Ooh Aah Mathieu Roy? Well if there is then please introduce me to him. Another fantastic play by him gave line mate Colton Fretter the easiest task of netting into a gaping net for 2-0, Thommo getting the other helper, and less than 2 minutes of the second period played. But you can never expect Neilson's team to hold the white flag early, and they got back on the scoreboard with a goal from Farmer which caromed into the net off the skate of Thommo for 2-1. No further scoring in the second despite both sides having chances, and evenly set for an intriguing third.
Panthers were banging door and just shy of the 48 minute mark, Max Parent picked up the pieces after good work from Wild and Farmer - Doyle unable to hold onto the latter's shot which the number 16 dispatched into the net. The Panthers support (once again they failed to sell out) rejoiced but you just knew after that first period penalty that Dowdy would have another say in the game and it turned out to be the game winner. My Mam's (and Samantha Dale's) favourite whipped in a delightful wrist shot at 49:46 which I'm sure Modig will want back after leaving a gap blocker shot which Dowdy said thank you very much.
Back came those men in white, black and gold but we were determined to shut the door on them and ensure we got the W: one particular save from Doyle near the end secured it - an absolute worldie that most netminders would not have gotten anywhere near. Fretter hit the post on an empty chance but we got the job done and in regulation time too. A very good hockey game and one that had a bit of everything; goals, saves and some controversy.
Sunday and the long trip to Fife. We started off slow and had Frank bail us out early doors as the Flyers looked to avoid "the sweep" but again we grew into the game which is becoming a common trait this season apart from those odd occasions when we've just collapsed like a deck of cards. The scoreline remained unchanged after 20 but once Ooh Aah had opened the scoring at 30:00; Cowan took centre stage as Flyers started to pick up penalty after penalty although Fleming embarassed us with a shortie whilst team mate Horne was chucked 2+10+Game for abusing the stripey.
Ooh Aah made it 2-1 at the 37 minute marker but by this time Mr Nickerson was getting wound up and wound up so much you knew he'd lose it soon. After Roy completed his natural hat-trick at 42:26, the Flyers number 50 went after Cullen needlessly and Cowan sent him away to join Horne in the showers on a match penalty thereby illustrating to all and sundry what a bawbag and liability he is to the Flyers' organisation. I remain convinced that if Nickerson acted like this at a bigger club, like us for example, that he would have been on the next plane home...I really can't see what positives he brings to a side. An empty netter with 46 seconds left from the irrepressible Mosienko (the Duracell Bunny that keeps going night after night) secured the win and a 4 point weekend. With Clan winning both their games; we're joint top but second officially as Braehead have one more regulation win than us - 14 opposed to our 13.
So the stage is set for another tough couple of games, and we go into them without Jay Lucien Latulippe.The American centre and number 18 this week departed the team to head back to Sweden. Although his points production wasn't as good as what we all (himself included) liked, the Steelers family wish Jay all the best for the future. Friday as stated at the start of the blog is when we play the first of our two games this weekend; against Cardiff who are in very good form themselves and completed a 4 point weekend themselves too - beating Belfast twice. The series stands 2 each so far with both teams having won in the other's barn so it should be another feisty game but I reckon Devils will miss Tyson Marsh more than we will miss Latulippe.
Also Friday might see the re-appearance in a Steelers uniform and a home dèbut too for Danny Bois, that's if he is ruled fit to play. I hope he is, with Latulippe gone, that third line will need him otherwise I can see Hill probably centreing that line with Sarich and Ferrara on the wings. If Bois is fit, Ferrara will probably act as our 10th forward. After Saturday off, we go to the Sky Dome Sunday and redemption is needed especially after the mauling they gave us on our last visit there. We can't play that bad again especially with the Elite League being as tight as it is. I hope G reminds the team of this.
That's how it stayed first period, and we weren't waiting longer before we were giving Modig the Whoosh treatment. Is there any better intelligent player in the EIHL than Ooh Aah Mathieu Roy? Well if there is then please introduce me to him. Another fantastic play by him gave line mate Colton Fretter the easiest task of netting into a gaping net for 2-0, Thommo getting the other helper, and less than 2 minutes of the second period played. But you can never expect Neilson's team to hold the white flag early, and they got back on the scoreboard with a goal from Farmer which caromed into the net off the skate of Thommo for 2-1. No further scoring in the second despite both sides having chances, and evenly set for an intriguing third.
Panthers were banging door and just shy of the 48 minute mark, Max Parent picked up the pieces after good work from Wild and Farmer - Doyle unable to hold onto the latter's shot which the number 16 dispatched into the net. The Panthers support (once again they failed to sell out) rejoiced but you just knew after that first period penalty that Dowdy would have another say in the game and it turned out to be the game winner. My Mam's (and Samantha Dale's) favourite whipped in a delightful wrist shot at 49:46 which I'm sure Modig will want back after leaving a gap blocker shot which Dowdy said thank you very much.
Back came those men in white, black and gold but we were determined to shut the door on them and ensure we got the W: one particular save from Doyle near the end secured it - an absolute worldie that most netminders would not have gotten anywhere near. Fretter hit the post on an empty chance but we got the job done and in regulation time too. A very good hockey game and one that had a bit of everything; goals, saves and some controversy.
Sunday and the long trip to Fife. We started off slow and had Frank bail us out early doors as the Flyers looked to avoid "the sweep" but again we grew into the game which is becoming a common trait this season apart from those odd occasions when we've just collapsed like a deck of cards. The scoreline remained unchanged after 20 but once Ooh Aah had opened the scoring at 30:00; Cowan took centre stage as Flyers started to pick up penalty after penalty although Fleming embarassed us with a shortie whilst team mate Horne was chucked 2+10+Game for abusing the stripey.
Ooh Aah made it 2-1 at the 37 minute marker but by this time Mr Nickerson was getting wound up and wound up so much you knew he'd lose it soon. After Roy completed his natural hat-trick at 42:26, the Flyers number 50 went after Cullen needlessly and Cowan sent him away to join Horne in the showers on a match penalty thereby illustrating to all and sundry what a bawbag and liability he is to the Flyers' organisation. I remain convinced that if Nickerson acted like this at a bigger club, like us for example, that he would have been on the next plane home...I really can't see what positives he brings to a side. An empty netter with 46 seconds left from the irrepressible Mosienko (the Duracell Bunny that keeps going night after night) secured the win and a 4 point weekend. With Clan winning both their games; we're joint top but second officially as Braehead have one more regulation win than us - 14 opposed to our 13.
So the stage is set for another tough couple of games, and we go into them without Jay Lucien Latulippe.The American centre and number 18 this week departed the team to head back to Sweden. Although his points production wasn't as good as what we all (himself included) liked, the Steelers family wish Jay all the best for the future. Friday as stated at the start of the blog is when we play the first of our two games this weekend; against Cardiff who are in very good form themselves and completed a 4 point weekend themselves too - beating Belfast twice. The series stands 2 each so far with both teams having won in the other's barn so it should be another feisty game but I reckon Devils will miss Tyson Marsh more than we will miss Latulippe.
Also Friday might see the re-appearance in a Steelers uniform and a home dèbut too for Danny Bois, that's if he is ruled fit to play. I hope he is, with Latulippe gone, that third line will need him otherwise I can see Hill probably centreing that line with Sarich and Ferrara on the wings. If Bois is fit, Ferrara will probably act as our 10th forward. After Saturday off, we go to the Sky Dome Sunday and redemption is needed especially after the mauling they gave us on our last visit there. We can't play that bad again especially with the Elite League being as tight as it is. I hope G reminds the team of this.
So that's all for another week, see you for the pre Christmas edition next week. Stay loud and proud; and be that seventh player on the ice (our collective support does make an impact).
Mark
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