Here’s our first Frozen Steel blog of the season, where
we’ll bring you some early views and thoughts from a selection of Sheffield
Steelers hockey fans.
It’s time to get on your soapboxes people and be brave as you look forward!
We’ve got contributions from: Robert Newbolt, Mark Duell,
Alan Claringbold, Eric Green, Nathan, Bethan and Tony. You might not agree
with, or even understand, their points of view, but let’s crack on...
Firstly, which new
player are you most looking forward to seeing in Orange?
- Mark - Jesse Schultz. A pure goalscorer. The guy has scored goals everywhere he has been, here's hoping he lights the lamp frequently in orange. His signing jumps out of the page more than most to me. Even at 33, he's still got it.
- Bethan - I'm looking forward to seeing what we see of the two young lads Kirk and Shudra - admittedly we probably won't see them more than a couple of times, but they both have great stats so far and the Steelers seem to have really taken an interest in their development which is good to see.
- Tony – Ervins Mustukovs (Moose to his pals, and those who don’t have his name saved in Auto-Correct). I didn’t attend much in the Ben Simon year of 2010/11, so missed out on his 11 shut-outs and 92.17% save percentage, and am looking forward to him repeating those kind of stats!
- Robert - Moose because I like a netminder who is good with lateral movement, does not give up sloppy rebounds and can be relied on 1 on 1; pretty much like Plante started last year off. But I think the defence may need a little time to get used to his style. Of the new players I believe the large presence of Armstrong may prove dividends and may be an ideal foil for Roy with his set up play.
- Alan – Davey Phillips. I've never rated him in the past. However, eager to see how he fares as a Steeler.
- Nathan - Always interested to see how the new guys adapt to new surroundings and for me it's always the D men that intrigue me the most. Björklund and Ratchuck taking my initial interest. Heard lots of good things about Moose (his last stint was a bit before my first game) so looking forward to seeing him play.
- Eric - With this summer signings and team now complete, for me I'm looking forward to seeing Schultz play, as I am the return of the Moose. But for me my full focus will certainly be on the two forwards and one defence man from Sweden. What input will they have on how the side play? How will they gel? How will they cope and adapt to/with the North American game? And will they be the players who will be instrumental in the way teams play in the EIHL in future years.
Secondly, before the
season begins, what should be our aims for 16/17?
- Alan - League champions again. Win Challenge Cup. Respectful (don't get obliterated) showing in the CHL.
- Eric - Obviously 3 in a row would be nice, but in reality before the season starts, the aim for the team must surely be to compete every game, win or lose, leave it on the ice, compete in all competitions and bring at least 1 piece of silverware home come April 2017.
- Robert - To win a third title in a row, primarily. The play offs would be nice but not really bothered about that if we win the league.
- Mark - To finish in the top two or three and to actually do something in that Mickey Mouse Challenge Cup tournament. We've certainly got the roster stacked as well as it has been so why not?
- Tony – Three-peat. Nothing else matters as much, but as we’re in fantasyland can I have a home win in the CHL too.
- Nathan - Our aim for next season should be the 3rd league championship in a row. I'm not particularly fussed about the CC or the PO but if we win em great but the league will be the main aim.
- Bethan - Grand slam! Haha, more realistically - it seems impossible to wrestle the CC away from Nottingham, and no one really cares about the conference title. It would be brilliant to win the league again, and I think this is (and should be!) always the team's overall focus. The playoffs is quite unpredictable and depends more on which team is going through a strong period / dealing with certain injuries, but of course I'd be delighted if we won that too.
Thirdly, and more
realistically what’s the minimum we need to sign-off on 16/17 as a decent
enough campaign?
- Robert - With the money that must have been invested (bringing in an assistant coach etc.) unless we win the league or play offs (to a lesser extent) it will have been a failure. Not sure if I count the Challenge Cup as a success even.
- Alan - One piece of silverware. Reach the other finals. Contender in the league.
- Mark - To finish in the top three of the league and do well in the Cup. Gotta break that Coventry curse though, they certainly had our number far too much and we would have won the league more convincingly if we hadn't dropped so many points to them: especially in the SkyDome.
- Tony – Being in title contention in March.
- Eric - As a minimum, I would like us to push and gain as many cross conference games wins as possible. Our conference is certainly tight, with no game a given on any night home or away. The teams are that close in our conference. So to keep with Braehead in the other conference, priority for teams in our conference must be to take as many points as possible.
- Nathan - I suppose silverware in any shape or form will be considered a good season but I want to be entertained and that's my requirement. I can take a trophyless season as long as I get value for money on the ice.
- Bethan - This is a difficult one - as soon as we go through any kind of a rough period there's people all over Twitter complaining how it's all going down the pan. Personally I want to see our boys work hard, play entertaining hockey, and remain in contention (top 3 or 4) throughout most of the season.
Lastly, give us your
predictions so we can remind you about it later? Any views out there in Steelerland as to which of us is going to get it closest?
- Tony – Whilst the league retains a conference bias the Clan must be favourites again, (I’ve got my asterisks ready again!) with the Devils and Panthers taking the cups on home ice. Hope I’m wrong on all three!
- Nathan - League. STEELERS. Challenge Cup. DEVILS. Playoffs. BLAZE. Conference winners. STEELERS & CLAN.
- Bethan - Cc: snottingham. League: I'm gonna be confident and put us down for this one! Playoffs: I think it's probably about time Braehead won something, though I'm not holding out much hope that they won't do their usual thing of spectacularly fluffing the final hurdle :P
- Alan - League: Sheffield Steelers, Challenge Cup: Cardiff Devils, Playoffs: Braehead Clan.
- Mark - Oooh that's a difficult call but sticking my neck out here I'm going for the following: League - Cardiff, Conferences - Us and Clan, CC - Pansies, PO: Clan
- Robert – Title : Sheffield Steelers in a close run thing with Cardiff Devils. Play-offs Cardiff Devils and Nottingham Panthers Challenge Cup.
- Eric - To predict who will win what, before a puck is dropped is certainly "a guess at best and luck at the very least". So I will go. Conference wins for "Cardiff and Braehead". For CC I have a feeling, "Sheffield" may make up for past history in this competition. For the play offs, "Belfast or Cardiff" and for the championship. "Braehead" can Finnerty do it at the 4th time of asking?
That’s all folks. Hope you enjoyed reading our thoughts, and
we’d love you to get involved too.
Help set the agenda for next week with your questions, or
even better get involved and give your views as one of the panel. We would love
different views and different participants each week. Please contact Mark
@frozensteelblog or Tony @Disgu15ed, or find us at the game.
Brief Bios of those panellists you’ve just been listening to
in the series so far :
- Alan is @frozensteelmnl for match night updates and @AwkwardGinge for everything else. Has been watching Hockey for many years, and given half a chance will regale you with tales of the London Knights. Catch him on the Breaking the Ice podcast too.
- Andy is the big man with the big horn (or VuVuzela if you prefer) who can be found at most home and away games, and propping the bar up afterwards. Andy is @ic3creamman.
- Bethan represents the younger end of the fan base, after being dragged along to her first Steelers game in 2007 and has loved the team ever since. Follow her on Twitter at @bethan_4
- Eric is a season ticket holder and can be found shouting encouragement to our players and scorn at the zebras alongside three generations of his family in block 115. Views can be found @greenbunch257
- Glynn can be found @glynnm76 has been watching the Steelers on and off since ‘91. Massive Ron Shudra fan and owner of an EIHL League Championship medal.
- Mark is one of the main men behind the Frozen Steel blog, being the Editor and Podcast pundit, and has watched the club since its inception. Find him at @hockeybhoy
- Nathan and his Mrs have been going to games since Feb 2014 after getting fed up with football. Another season ticket holder in 115 who tries to get to away games and refuses steadfastly to join in with Sweet Caroline. He’s @NJT75Owl
- Robert is chief architect of http://steelers-stats.com/ the go-to guy for Steelers history from days gone by, and the man behind one of the big White House spotlights! Robert is @steelersstats.
- Tony has been watching the Steelers on and off since Tony Hand arrived, and has been a regular for the last eight years or so. Enjoys contributing to the blog with his weekly five things and can be found @Disgu15ed
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
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