Another huge weekend in Steelerland as the business end of the season really starts to take shape. After the four point garnering in Northern Ireland and a Cup first leg win in Kirkcaldy, we face two massive games - but then again every game is massive from now - as we look to haul in the league leaders in our bid to retain the Monteith Bowl.
Saturday night brings a visit from our nearest and dearest, the Nottingham Panthers. Whilst we had a fantastic weekend, Panthers stuttered to half of that total. Their only points coming via a penalty shots win over a Fife Flyers team who led 2-0 with just one period to play in the NIC. Two goals from Andy Bohmbach probably proved the saving grace for Neilson's men because defeat would have more than likely extinguished any title dreams there and then.
Yet Panthers always seem to find some kind of extra confidence when they play us, and I am sure they feel the same way about us. Brad Moran and Stephen Schultz are back from injury, which means where do they fit Chris Lawrence in. Lawrence played in the win against Fife but how long will Neilson retain his services remains the question. Steelers know that special teams will be very important and a solid defensive display just like in Belfast. In their captain and GB internationalist David Clarke, Panthers have a forward whose one-timer is pretty damn lethal.
Sunday, and a final trip to the Big Blue Tent in Cardiff Bay to face the league leading Devils. They are the team to beat and very seldom drop points there. Unless you are the Braehead Clan that is. We have had some beatings there in the past and it is a difficult place to play with the raucous atmosphere generated by those passionate Devils fans. The smaller ice definitely plays to Andrew Lord's men strengths that's for sure.
It's hard to find fault with the Devils roster to be honest, and they have also added to the firepower by the recruitment of former NHLer Ryan Russell. Russell was apparently a signing set for next season, but he has come in earlier so will be one to watch. Added to the quality provided by Jake Morrisette and Tomas Kurka, that could a line (if partnered together) that we need to keep a beady eye on. They have solid defensive corps and a stellar goalie in Swinton's very own Ben Bowns. If anything can upset them, a lack of discipline can sometimes creep in when rattled. We need to get under their respective skins and chase Bowns out of the cage.
The weekend will also see the Steelers dèbut of Ryan Hayes; the guy who currently heads the EIHL points tallies. Recruited for a "nominal fee" (as they would say in football) from Edinburgh Capitals, it will be interesting in seeing how the American sniper fits in with the tactics and philosophies of Thommo as opposed to that of Riley Emmerson, If he gels, we have an excellent signing here. Personally I don't see why other hockey fans nationwide are so miffed about this move; you can't force an unhappy player to stay - we know this ourselves. Remember Colin Shields in 2014 is my response.
Prediction Time: Steelers will beat the Panthers on Saturday, I'm settling for a 3-1 regulation time win in this one. As for Sunday, Cardiff win again but we're going to make a bit uncomfortable for them though. Devils to eventually triumph 4-3 in overtimes. And finally, yes Hayes will score this weekend!
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
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@Disgu15ed
Check out the Frozen Steel Podcast
Or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment