Big Match Preview - Cardiff (Home)

After a game in the NIC, Steelers return home to face current Elite League table toppers Cardiff Devils in the House of Steel. Cardiff have lost just twice in regulation this season, those coming against surprise packet Edinburgh and Nottingham plus an overtime loss in Belfast. They will be hoping to continue their good form when they return to the scene of their Challenge Cup win last season.

Steelers on the other hand, will be keen to continue their impressive form inside the Arena.

Last Meeting: Cardiff's last visit to Steelerland wasn't exactly a pleasant one. Having beaten their hosts 5-3 just seven days previously, they came into the game full of confidence. However, once Tyler Plante denied Leigh Salters on a penalty shot and then a Tomas Kurka breakaway - the writing was on the wall. Steelers roared into the first period break 4-0 ahead. Devils shared the second period 1-1 but that was as about as good as it got for them as the home side rattled three more in the final 20 leaving Andrew Lord's men chasing shadows all night and heading back to South Wales, very very much embarrassed.

Overall Record: Sunday's match is the 115th time that the two sides have faced off in Elite League play, and Steelers will be looking for their 62nd win in this series. Both sides have had convincing wins, Steelers with that 11-0 demolition just days after the Challenge Cup loss. However, who can forget that 7-1 defeat that a Craig Weller inspired Devils team inflicted on us during the 2011 league championship winning season? That really was a night to forget.

The Players To Watch: Ben O'Connor (Steelers) - After a fantastic tournament for GB, many thought that Ben would continue in the same vein this new season. Whilst he has 12 assists to his name, the fact he has only lit the lamp twice is of concern to some. Thing is that Ben is playing a different type of game this season under Thommo. Still he's capable of much more, perhaps Sunday might be it.

Jake Morissette (Devils) - Probably the one that slips under the radar when it comes to Cardiff's offensive threat. Sure, they have players such as Salters, Joey Martin, Gui Doucet and Kurka but the 32 year old Canadian has the jets to burn away any defence. He can score, he can create and if on form - is a very hard player to stop. We can't afford to give him time on the puck, do so and it could cost us big time.

Prediction: Much will depend on the exertions of the night before to see how Steelers approach the game. If they have gone into overtime then it could be a nervy start to proceedings. However, Steelers home form in the Arena has been explamary to say the least and they will be keen to add another win to the record.

Both sides have solid goaltending, dependable defence and offensive skills of the highest order. This will not be a dull as ditchwater game at all, there will be goals and a fair few of them. Steelers to edge this one 5-3 with an empty netter in the final minute clinching the deal.

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Big Match Preview - Nottingham (Away)

Saturday night is hockey night on Hallowe'en, and Steelers make the trip down the M1 to face old adversaries Nottingham in the NIC. Will Paul Thompson's men spook their hosts and come away with two vital league points or will it be Corey Neilson's men who do the haunting. Let's look ahead to the game in question.

Last Meeting: Steelers last trip to the fabulous NIC came just a couple of weeks ago in Challenge Cup action. That's how quick these fixtures come around. Stephen Schultz gave the Panthers an early lead but after that Thompson's men grew into the game and took it to their hosts. Mathieu Roy's 8th of the season on the powerplay ensured a shared first period but the second was all about the visitors offence as Miika Wiikman was forced into making save after save. The one that did get by him was a superb effort by the evergreen Rod Sarich which was just sheer class.

When Bryan Schmidt levelled matters up, most would have thought that Panthers would go on and dominate the third period and Steelers would crumble under pressure. However, Thompson's men are made of stern stuff and as it happened Panthers fell foul of the old boy haunting. Step forward Chris Lawrence, the man jettisoned by the Blaze, who last season wore the Panthers black and gold. Number 18 came up trumps for Mr Thompson and sent the large away following home with delight. Dare he repeat the dose?

The Players To Watch: Miika Wiikman (Panthers) - Corey Neilson needed a goalie to fill the void left by K-Wall, and those were big skates to fill. However, the Swede has proved to be an inspirational signing it has to be said and his statistics tell their own story. Just like his predecessor, Wiikman is giving the Panthers a chance to win each night. If he is in top form, Steelers will need that bit extra to make it two wins out of two in the Lace City so far this season.

Robert Dowd (Steelers) - Steelers premier Brit, and no disrespect meant to Jono, Hewy, Luke and Ben. Dowdy is a game changer when he is on it, he makes things happen around him. Not afraid to go where others fear to go, Dowdy can score as good as Roy and hit opponents like a freight train. After missing seven games with a wrist injury, Robbie returned back to the line-up in Wednesday's 4-1 win at Altrincham and by all accounts; was his usual energetic self. Paul Thompson must be glad he coaches him rather than having him in opposition it has to be said.

Prediction: Both sides scored four on Wednesday night and picked up valuable points of their own. However. Panthers resources were stretched further when key forward Stephen Schultz was injured in the final minute of regulation play with the NIC medical teams coming under fire for their lack of urgency in dealing with it. Panthers will be missing Geoff Waugh from the blueline and Brit Robert Farmer but Rob Lachowicz should be in the line up.

Steelers are definitely missing Colton Fretter (hernia) but will be at full strength otherwise. Tyler Plante was rested on Wednesday night, and whilst back-up Brad Day had a fantastic game in Altrincham, the former NHL draft pick will be back between the pipes on Hallowe'en night. Paul Thompson will be keen to see his side continue racking up numbers in the win column, and rising up the Elite League standings.

Score Prediction? I'm going for us to win in the NIC again, this time after overtime with 3-2 being the scoreline in question.

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The Elite Report - October reviewed

Two months in now and it's time look back again over the month of October in "The Elite Report". That means one thing, it's monthly awards time too. So get your posh frocks and tuxedos out of the wardrobe, let's unveil the winners of our totally unofficial awards. Totally unaffliated with the Elite League, and very much a bit of fun.

Are we ready? Here goes..

Team of the Month:  Only one team deserves this award and it's a fresh name on the award. Winners of this have to be the Edinburgh Capitals. This team have totally rejuvenated themselves and are doing themselves proud indeed. They might not have the budget of the big name arena teams but what they do have is a work ethic where players buy in and stick together when all looks lost. Well done guys!

Flops of the Month: Despite recording a four point weekend just gone, this particular gong goes to the Fife Flyers. Two wins all month out of a possible nine is quite simply a team lacking form. I am sure as eggs are eggs that if Flyers hadn't had the weekend they just had; Mr Dutiaume's future would have been under some serious scrutiny by the owners of the Kirkcaldy side. As it is the wins over the Storm and the Clan may just have bought him some time, consistency is key.

Coach of the Month: Skate forward, and skate forward with pride too, Riley Emmerson. For a rookie coach, you are doing amazing things in Edinburgh. Whilst you are not running away with the league, to sit fifth after two months in the job is an incredible achievement. As said earlier, players are buying into what you are preaching and I can't praise you high enough. You've beaten Braehead, Sheffield and Cardiff this month. Who's next on your shock list, the Panthers and the Giants? Wouldn't surprise me if you beat them too. Well done big fella.

Player of the Month:  And yet another award heads to Edinburgh, this time to the league's current top scorer Ryan Hayes. Four goals against Cardiff Devils, is just like er wowzers! The 26 year old American is definitely proving that there is life in Edinburgh after Renè Jarolin who left to join the Milton Keynes Lightning revolution in the EPL under GB coach Pete Russell. You're a sniper son, continue in the same vein and I'm sure every Caps fan will be wanting a Hayes #19 shirt eventually.

Douchebag of the Month: Or should that read Douchebags of the Month? You can guess whom I'm awarding this to, isn't it plainly obvious?  Yes I'm looking at you, you bunch of bawbags - One Direction. Manufactured pop pap who have annoyed the heck out of hockey fans especially Steelers and Giants. Forget your lame excuse why you cancelled that concert, we all know what really happened last Tuesday. You collectively deserve a pummeling over by Big Zack, Adam Keefe, Matt Nickerson and Trevor Hendrix. Oh and several pucks fired at you whilst strapped to a hockey net with no protection. Neil Walker can join you as well for being spineless and bowing down to your petty demands. Rant Over!

So that's October in the can. I'm off to pour a large glass of red wine and think about what kind of state I might be in Saturday night. I'm in Nottingham to watch the Panthers and the Steelers and then out on the "pop" afterwards because it's my birthday and I am allowed to break my alcoholic abstinence. Next week's edition will be brought to you from Estonia, so thank you and goodnight for now.

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The Elite Report - Weeks 7 and 8

It's a double dose of "The Elite Report" this week. First we get the weekly round-up here and also the monthly review in a separate article. First of all I do apologise to you for the lack of last week's edition, I kinda forgot. I did all the other pieces but simply had one of them moments and forgot the review of week 7 in the EIHL. However, I'll try and pull two weeks into one and hope what you are about to read: makes a bit of sense.

Well one thing can be said over the last two weeks, neither of the ten member clubs stayed unbeaten throughout. Some played four games, some played six and in Coventry's case - they played just twice because they were away on Continental Cup duty last weekend. Must say hard lines to Chuck Weber's men for that, you were so close to making the next stage. Terrific effort and everyone in the Elite League is proud of that.

The best points haul came from the Steelers themselves as they accounted for three wins and one loss in their four game schedule. After a two goal dèbut in that "shock" (well to some it was) loss to Edinburgh, Chris Lawrence further pressed his claims for a longer deal with game winning goals against Panthers (I called it) and Clan. A squeaked win over a plucky Storm side was sandwiched between a loss at Belfast. Lawrence has since been rewarded with a new deal for an additional month whilst Colton Fretter recovers from a hernia.

Picking up five points out of a possible eight were Cardiff and Dundee. Cardiff took three of those points in an excellent couple of encounters in Belfast, and then were victorious in the Big Blue Tent on penalty shots after a feisty ding-dong with Nottingham. Their only loss came last Saturday to this season's surprise packet: Edinburgh. Dundee are still improving under Marc LeFebvre, and despite a four point weekend against Manchester and Fife the other week, they were soundly beaten in Nottingham but an overtime loss to Belfast suggests they are much better this season than last.

Fife only had one game in week seven, which resulted in another loss. However with pressure mounting on the broad shoulders of Todd Dutiuame to start winning games, some even allegedly speculated that his job was on the line. However his players responded in the best way possible, a four point weekend against Manchester and a home shutout of the Clan thanks to a couple of third period goals. Flyers need to continue this winning vein else those question marks will be raised again, and I'm sure Todd is drumming that mantra into those players each day.

Three teams picked up three points in this period; Nottingham, Belfast and Edinburgh. Panthers had a zero point week in week seven caused by regulation losses in their biggest rivals geographically. As mentioned before, it was former Panther Lawrence who inflicted one of those and I bet Mr Moran was spitting blood over it. With David Ling now in the ranks, they comfortably beat Dundee in the NIC before narrowly losing in Cardiff. That suggests they are getting back to basics. Don't ever discount Corey Neilson's men.

Belfast suffered a rare double reverse against the Devils and are really feeling the pinch of another shortened bench, Matt Nickerson being the latest one to be added to the list. Despite One Direction Gate, the healthy ones recorded a stunning 4-1 home win over Sheffield before winning in overtime at Dundee where it is becoming a hard place to win at. Edinburgh are still improving under Riley Emmerson and they seem to be raising their game against the bigger fish which is making this season ever so interesting. They seem to have found a goalscoring gem in Ryan Hayes as well. Hats off to the Caps metaphorically speaking then.

In need of wins are both Braehead and Manchester. Clan's stuttering form has to be of concern for a team that were expected to sweep all before them in the Gardiner Conference. I'm sure though that Ryan Finnerty will react sharpish if this continues to happen, they are too good to be this inconsistent. Storm (prior to last night) had lost three on the spin and are wondering where their next win will come from but a battling performance in Sheffield when they recovered from a 4-0 first period deficit to tie it up with a fantastic second 20 must give Omar Pacha great heart that good times around the corner. Keep at it, success comes to those who wait. Trust me it does.

Coventry were in Continenal Cup last weekend, so now find themselves at the base of the EIHL table with seven points from eight games. However, they had a much needed confidence win against the Panthers before jetting off and maybe that will kickstart their season. This win obviously spurred them on Poland and they were just 10 minutes away from making the next stage. Bad luck indeed, but they did our league proud with their efforts. If only they could be this decent at home..

Well that's my review, and once again I apologise if it is a bit convoluted and in some parts nonsensical. Trying do two weeks into one article isn't damn easy. Normal service will be resumed next week, despite me being in Eastern Europe and relying upon hotel wi-fi. See you later everybody.

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This month in history - October

Thank you to Rob for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Rob on Twitter @steelerstats

20 years ago - 1995

The month really belonged to their first European sortie.

Steelers lay on a real Dutch treat, an awesome display of defensive might and clinical shooting gave sparking Sheffield Steelers their first taste of European Cup glory last night when they beat the hosts Tilburg Trappers.

The first game was penalty-strewn, with seventeen being given against Steelers but a game winning goal by Priestlay and an inspired display from Hand (1+2) gave Steelers the points.

However, they came up against crack opposition in Olympia Hertz of Slovenia. But even though they were well behind Steelers scored three to worry the opposition. The score finished at 5-3. They then beat a team from Spain in their last outing.

Back home they qualified for the semi final of the Benson and Hedges by beating Cardiff 9-5 on aggregate. But in the first leg of the semi Steelers caught a cold going down 5-3 in Fife. They won all of their four league games that month all by handsome margins the one against Cardiff attracting 9,000 fans.

15 years ago - 2000

Steelers had one foot in the Benson and Hedges Cup Final by the end of the month after defeating Bracknell 7-5 on aggregate and winning the home leg of the semi-final against Nottingham.

They also embarked on their Challenge Cup campaign where points gained were also combined with points in the League. Steelers won their first game, but were then shut out by London Knights at the Arena. However the League form was of no concern as they dominated proceedings with six wins.

10 years ago - 2005

Steelers disappointing form continued into October when they lost five of their eight games.

Their record for the month read as W2 L5 T1 with 22 goals scored and 27 conceded.

5 years ago - 2010 

Sheffield Steelers owners claimed that have banked a £100,000 investment package which will help secure the Club's future until the end of the current season. Bob and Mariani Phillips stated further cash injections from this unknown source will be available to them at any time on request. This announcement may go some way to allaying the fears of Steelers supporters who have seen two Steelers operating companies be liquidated in the last five years.

On ice, Steelers suffered a major blow when skipper Jonathan Phillips sustained a serious knee injury in a home defeat against the Braehead Clan. Phillips would not ice again until January.

However the team proved any doubters wrong when challenged with a ridiculous schedule of playing six games in just eight days. Steelers banked four wins in that period with their only losses coming against Cardiff and Nottingham. To add further insult, the roster was majorly depleted further as they lost Mark Thomas (broken foot), back up netminder Geoff Woolhouse (knee injury) and imports Jerramie Domish and Rob Globke both slowly returning after their own respective injuries as the loss of the aforementioned Phillips.

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