After the experience that was the Champions Hockey League, it's the first home game of the regular season with a Challenge Cup encounter with Cardiff. Cardiff experienced mixed fortunes here in the House of Steel last season, from the exhilaration of winning this afore mentioned trophy to the 11-0 humbling we dished out just three days later. It promises to be just as feisty as ever.
Their last visit saw a certain Jeff Legue score an all important third period goal that clinched the Monteith Bowl here in Sheffield.
Their last visit saw a certain Jeff Legue score an all important third period goal that clinched the Monteith Bowl here in Sheffield.
Helping us set the scene for the game is Devils supporter, and good friend of FSB, Sean Phillips. Here's what he had to say:
FSB: How would you sum up last season for Cardiff?
SP: It was a great season for us. Our depth in the roster was key to our success along with a stellar season from Ben Bowns. It was disappointing to not make the final four but to finish a point off the top spot and come away with a trophy is something none of us expected.
SP: It was a great season for us. Our depth in the roster was key to our success along with a stellar season from Ben Bowns. It was disappointing to not make the final four but to finish a point off the top spot and come away with a trophy is something none of us expected.
FSB: Looking at your roster, you've retained a lot of last season's team. Who do you see having the biggest impact?
SP: Andrew Lord. It all starts with Lord and without him nothing ticks. His systems for a young coach and the ethos he's built into his roster are nothing short of spectacular. Lord is a massive asset to us off the ice and more so, he's one of the premier power forwards in the league. I cannot stress how valuable he is to our club and hope he's here for a long time.
SP: Andrew Lord. It all starts with Lord and without him nothing ticks. His systems for a young coach and the ethos he's built into his roster are nothing short of spectacular. Lord is a massive asset to us off the ice and more so, he's one of the premier power forwards in the league. I cannot stress how valuable he is to our club and hope he's here for a long time.
FSB: You've brought in Leigh Salters from Braehead but lost Matthew Myers back to Nottingham, what's the general feeling about that?
SP: Losing Myers may come across as a bummer, but where would he slot in? We have three forward lines full of imports, two GB defenseman and its number one goalie. Myers would play the tenth forward role and he's far too talented for that and consequently too expensive. Salters adds a great dynamic to our firepower and physicality and so I'm very excited to see him play a full season for us, as opposed to against us!
SP: Losing Myers may come across as a bummer, but where would he slot in? We have three forward lines full of imports, two GB defenseman and its number one goalie. Myers would play the tenth forward role and he's far too talented for that and consequently too expensive. Salters adds a great dynamic to our firepower and physicality and so I'm very excited to see him play a full season for us, as opposed to against us!
FSB: A couple of more smart moves have seen Guilliame Doucet come in and Tomas Kurka return. You must be pretty pleased about that?
SP: Doucet is a great addition. After four games I'm hoping he honours the two year deal he signed as he's a natural goalscorer which I feel we've lacked since Jon Pelle left for Belfast. We've had some great guys and players but Gui is one of those clutch players you can throw out there when you desperately need a goal. As for Kurka, we've seen him, we know what he's all about and his experience shows through in how easy he makes things look. His link up with Doucet has been great to watch and with Joey Haddad also contributing, that's a horrible looking line to play against.
SP: Doucet is a great addition. After four games I'm hoping he honours the two year deal he signed as he's a natural goalscorer which I feel we've lacked since Jon Pelle left for Belfast. We've had some great guys and players but Gui is one of those clutch players you can throw out there when you desperately need a goal. As for Kurka, we've seen him, we know what he's all about and his experience shows through in how easy he makes things look. His link up with Doucet has been great to watch and with Joey Haddad also contributing, that's a horrible looking line to play against.
FSB: What do you think of the roster that you will face in opposition, namely us?
SP: All the teams have upgraded, some more than others. I look at Sheffield's roster and I just find it a little uninspiring. I am in no way a coach and Thompson knows his stuff, but I can't see where your secondary grit is coming from when Fitzgerald is in the penalty box. I feel a few teams will bully Sheffield. Plante looks the real deal and if you retain the league title, he'll be a big reason why.
SP: All the teams have upgraded, some more than others. I look at Sheffield's roster and I just find it a little uninspiring. I am in no way a coach and Thompson knows his stuff, but I can't see where your secondary grit is coming from when Fitzgerald is in the penalty box. I feel a few teams will bully Sheffield. Plante looks the real deal and if you retain the league title, he'll be a big reason why.
FSB: Finally, who do you reckon will be the key players in this match, and what will be the final score?
SP: Key players will be Jake Morissette for Devils and Tyler Mosienko for Steelers. Both smaller guys who are key to their teams penalty kills along with a genuine scoring threat. As for a score prediction, I'm saying nothing. Let the guys settle it out on the ice, they're the ones who really know what they're talking about after all!
SP: Key players will be Jake Morissette for Devils and Tyler Mosienko for Steelers. Both smaller guys who are key to their teams penalty kills along with a genuine scoring threat. As for a score prediction, I'm saying nothing. Let the guys settle it out on the ice, they're the ones who really know what they're talking about after all!
Thanks to Sean for his time, we appreciate it.
Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@TomWalkeden
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
Check out the Frozen Steel Podcast
Check out the Frozen Steel Match Night Talk Show
Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment