I am writing the majority of this piece the morning after the win against the Panthers last night, and as the team make their way to Kirkcaldy for our final regular season encounter with those Fife Flyers. It's a chance to get a 4 point weekend, which is always a good feeling at any point of the season, and also to get a regular season sweep of tonight's hosts since we have won both games down here (convincingly I add) and had a win on penalty shots in Fife. I won't be in the "Auld Barn" in person; instead I'll be relying on the excellent and at times humorous Twitter commentary provided by our good friend Laura Duff.
So this in theory should be a review of the November fixtures, but once again I've decided to do something different. The monthly review of the EIHL will probably return next month, I need to make sure it does as it's the halfway point of the season by that time, but I'll concentrate this article on looking back on our season itself. I'm going to do this by position which means the forwards bit will be over a few paragraphs, so bear with me and enjoy.
Netminder; Easy to review as we have same the planned tandem as it was at the start of the season. What can you say about Frank Doyle though, quite simply the best netminder in the EIHL and that's not a biased comment if you thought it might be. Opposing fans think he is too, none more so than our Purple Steeler buddies in Braehead. Yes he's had the games where he's conceded a few but that has been down to being left out to dry (Nottingham and Coventry come to mind here). He's been a stellar performer and I wish we could re-sign him for 2015-16 already...
Wooly has been dependable when we have given him ice time. Not one that seems to complain for the lack of games he gets, he just looks happy to be in a Steelers uniform: the club he's supported for years. I'd go on record and question if any other EIHL team has such a good back-up as him. Fantastic guy to chat with off-ice too, loves to remind me how he likes to wind his godfather Keith up when it comes to football.
Defence: Seven defencemen used so far this season and each of them contributes in their own different way. Let's start with the returnees first then. Dustin Kohn, probably one of those offensive defencemen that you scarcely notice: good at both ends of the ice. He had a torrid time with injuries last season, but he's a solid player for us. Mark Thomas, the testimonial boy, stays at home and knows his role in the team. I'm itching for him to score again, it's overdue and has to happen this season for obvious reasons. And finally Gord Baldwin, he's chipped in with some nice goals this campaign and despite having a few odd nights off: he's done fine. I hasten to add I nicknamed him Gretzky Baldwin for a spell after that brilliant coast to coast and backhand finish he did earlier in the year.
Onto the new guys then. First of all, Rod Sarich who never can please everyone. Even now I hear people questioning his inclusion on the roster, and just walk away shaking me head. Roddy has had a year out but he's still got the skills that has helped him rack up over 300 points in a Steelers uniform. I'm proud to have his name and number adorn my 2014-15 shirt. Darrell Hay, just quietly goes about his business each night and not many folk seem to notice. He's probably the most underrated member of the defensive core. Ben O'Connor has been an astute signing, and yes like most he's had a night where nothing went right, he's probably the stand out British defenceman of his time. He's living the dream right now. Which leads me onto Cullen (not Culled as he seems to appear on the OS quite often) Eddy, definitely this season's cult hero. Chips in with goals, gets into the dirty areas and isn't afraid to get stuck into a scrap: just ask Zach Hervato of Hull. I simply love this guy's passion for the game.
Forwards: Well G totally revamped this section of the roster in the summer, none of the import forwards returned and although the Brit core remained intact with a new addition. So let's have a look at the Brits first of all.
After being one of his worst critics over the last few seasons; I think we've seen a much better Jason Hewitt. Snapping and snarling at the opposition whilst chipping in with the odd goal here and there, that's the real "British Bulldog" that helped us win our last Monteith Bowl; it's a shame he's out on the sidelines currently. Captain Jonathan Phliips next up, and the energy this man has is nothing short of exceptional. After Goertzen's departure to Coventry, he was the ONLY choice to be captain - nobody else could have filled the vacancy. Phil Hill brings a physical presence to the Brit core and whilst I'm not the biggest Hill fan around: I like his work ethic. Dowdy is just really Dowdy, our premium Brit, and I remain convinced that he would have more points this season if it wasn't for "that" injury. Luke Ferrara, when he's played, has not let the team down either and I think he has the makings of a quality player given the time to develop.
Now onto the imports. I was gutted we never got to see what Pascal Morency could offer, particularly because he's such really cool guy off ice. You can't take chances after concussions and like all of us; we do realise health comes first before entertainment. Devin DiDiomete did a reasonable job when he stood in for Tyler for the first 5 games, and caused many of us (myself included) to revise our opinion on him after his Cardiff antics. Despite only playing one period in his number 51 shirt; I think we are to see what impact Mr Bois is to bring to the team and I think it will be positive. Jay Latulippe has been in my eyes, not sure what you think, a disappointment. After impressive numbers last 3 seasons in Europe, I was expecting him to have Tylor Michel type impact. He's not delivered and I think he's proverbially skating on thin ice as regards his roster spot.
Now for the four who adorn the first four spots in our points charts. Mathieu Roy is a marvellous pick up it has to be said, an intelligent hockey player that creates panic in visiting defences when he's in the final third: always seems to be in the right spot to do so and an absolute menace with those tip-ins in front of the opposing nettie. Michael Forney is obviously the goalscorer, 22 strikes going into tonight, and it could have been a lot more already to be honest. One thing that is apparent though, Forney gets thrown out of the face off dot far too much: he really needs to work on this to be honest as it's the only criticism I can level at him.
Now for the last two, Colton Fretter first. I had picked him as our player to watch in my FSB preview of the new season and whilst he's not put up oodles and oodles of points yet; his experience is invaluable to the team. Fretter like Roy is an intelligent hockey player, and makes things happen around him. He will really get better as the season continues to pan out. Therefore this leaves me with Tyler Mosienko, words cannot describe how good this guy is. There are not enough superlatives to describe him: a one man energy ball who gives 100% every shift he takes and already probably the man of the season so far. I just want him to stay next season and beyond, he's just a joy to watch.
So that's how I see it so far, how do you see it? Until next week it is...
After being one of his worst critics over the last few seasons; I think we've seen a much better Jason Hewitt. Snapping and snarling at the opposition whilst chipping in with the odd goal here and there, that's the real "British Bulldog" that helped us win our last Monteith Bowl; it's a shame he's out on the sidelines currently. Captain Jonathan Phliips next up, and the energy this man has is nothing short of exceptional. After Goertzen's departure to Coventry, he was the ONLY choice to be captain - nobody else could have filled the vacancy. Phil Hill brings a physical presence to the Brit core and whilst I'm not the biggest Hill fan around: I like his work ethic. Dowdy is just really Dowdy, our premium Brit, and I remain convinced that he would have more points this season if it wasn't for "that" injury. Luke Ferrara, when he's played, has not let the team down either and I think he has the makings of a quality player given the time to develop.
Now onto the imports. I was gutted we never got to see what Pascal Morency could offer, particularly because he's such really cool guy off ice. You can't take chances after concussions and like all of us; we do realise health comes first before entertainment. Devin DiDiomete did a reasonable job when he stood in for Tyler for the first 5 games, and caused many of us (myself included) to revise our opinion on him after his Cardiff antics. Despite only playing one period in his number 51 shirt; I think we are to see what impact Mr Bois is to bring to the team and I think it will be positive. Jay Latulippe has been in my eyes, not sure what you think, a disappointment. After impressive numbers last 3 seasons in Europe, I was expecting him to have Tylor Michel type impact. He's not delivered and I think he's proverbially skating on thin ice as regards his roster spot.
Now for the four who adorn the first four spots in our points charts. Mathieu Roy is a marvellous pick up it has to be said, an intelligent hockey player that creates panic in visiting defences when he's in the final third: always seems to be in the right spot to do so and an absolute menace with those tip-ins in front of the opposing nettie. Michael Forney is obviously the goalscorer, 22 strikes going into tonight, and it could have been a lot more already to be honest. One thing that is apparent though, Forney gets thrown out of the face off dot far too much: he really needs to work on this to be honest as it's the only criticism I can level at him.
Now for the last two, Colton Fretter first. I had picked him as our player to watch in my FSB preview of the new season and whilst he's not put up oodles and oodles of points yet; his experience is invaluable to the team. Fretter like Roy is an intelligent hockey player, and makes things happen around him. He will really get better as the season continues to pan out. Therefore this leaves me with Tyler Mosienko, words cannot describe how good this guy is. There are not enough superlatives to describe him: a one man energy ball who gives 100% every shift he takes and already probably the man of the season so far. I just want him to stay next season and beyond, he's just a joy to watch.
So that's how I see it so far, how do you see it? Until next week it is...
Mark
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