After being somewhat schooled in the CHL this last week, we’ve learnt a lot more than five things, but here’s a few that stuck out for me:
1. CHL v Continental Cup. Would you rather scrap from crumbs at the main table, and learn from the top brass, or be one of the main men down the local café? I still love the whole CHL experience and look forward to bringing those teams back to Sheffield to enjoy the hockey they play. Suggesting we aim for the Continental Cup is a bit like being satisfied with the Challenge Cup rather than going all out to win the EIHL league.
2. Previous years. We remember that the Panthers were taken 10-1 at Lulea, the Clan 10-2 at Vaxjo, Us 9.1 at Frolunda. That’s where we are as a league when the big boys play hard - it’s the HV71 result that’s at odds, not the one in Salzberg. We should also remember that those teams often iced their back-up netties and rested some top players too, so enjoy the hockey on show rather than expecting a result. Those teams are top-drawer.
3. Soft calls. We conceded 13 goals in two away games, which is horrible, but four goals for HV71, and five for Salzberg were with a man disadvantage, and the majority of those penalties were for infractions that won’t get called in the EIHL. We need to be tighter in the CHL, but it won’t burn us so badly in our domestic competitions.
4. Only one Matty Roy. A fun moment for anyone who’s googled Mathieu Roy hockey, as the two opposing Roysys posed for a photo before the game in Salzberg. Unfortunately only one finished the game, and we hope our Cat is back for next weekend.
5. Let’s not forget Thursday. Let’s bottle that feeling when we brought the HV71 game back to 3:3, and take the positives that come from staying in the game against a mid-table SHL team right to the end. Even Thomo was getting overly excited as he switched tactics and went all out for the win.
With my final thought I’d like to turn to the Steelers organisation as a whole to thank them for giving this ball a kick, and going up against the best in Europe. We might go another four games without a win this year too, but just like the Clan and Panthers in previous seasons I’m glad we’re in the competition and getting the chance to see some of the best ever teams to grace our shores in competitive matches. Enjoy it, as with the CHL already reigning itself in for 17/18 we may never see their like again.
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