The first official week of the season is done with, so let's get into the Editor's chair and talk about things that are purely Steelers hockey related. Please note, these are my own personal thoughts and not of the Club. I will try to be as an uncontroversial (is that actually a word?) as possible.
Introduction done with, time to crack on.
Well it's been another week with plenty of talking points, so let's address them all one by one:
- Manchester (away): To be honest I read nothing into that result. Granted we were not at full strength numbers wise, losing there is something we can deal with. Manchester were obviously out to make a statement and show their own fans, they can expect better things than their campaign last season which just fell short of making the post-season play-offs. And they did just that. We had our two apprentices playing, and they apparently acquitted themselves well with one playing out of position on D. Good on you both Cole and Liam. Brad made some good saves, like we know he can. The main thing was to escape no further injury problems from this game, mission accomplished.
- Manchester (home): A more acid test came 24 hours later as we started the 2017 Challenge Cup campaign against the same foe. They didn't half make it a hard game for us and that's testament to the recruitment done by Pach - well done on that one Omar. Twice we got caught out by the visitors with less than 10 minutes gone, Moose was certainly caught out on Heatley's goal by the rebound from the initial shot. Yet we needed that third goal of the game, if it had gone 0-3 then we would have been chasing shadows. Making it 1-2 gave us momentum and we dominated that second period, deservedly going into the final 20 4-2 ahead. But this Manchester team refused to lie down and got it back to 4-4. Yet we dug deep like we know we can, and further goals from Levi and Mosi (the latter completing a splendid hatty) got us over the line.
- Mr Michael Ratchuk: What can you already say about this guy? He's gifted supremely, just think back to a couple of moments in the Manchester CC game when he went through the defence like a knife through hot butter. It was effortless and easy. Yet we saw the other side of his game following an altercation with Storm's Czech forward Patrik Valcak, picking up a needless cross checking penalty in addition to a 2+2 for roughing. That is causing some eyebrows to be raised from the support that MR is becoming a bit of hothead (well we had glimpses against Aalborg). He's feisty yes, a bit of a rink rat which is all well and good. But maybe leave the heavy stuff to Fitzy and Desi Mike whilst you just create chances? Just a wee thought all the same.
- New CC shirts: The more I saw of them on Sunday, the more I like these shirts, and having seen one first hand (thanks Danny) I'm even more tempted to gather my pennies up and have one myself. They are really nice. Design wise I am sure they have been inspired by either Edmonton or the New York Islanders, and the orange shorts, gloves and helmets complement them wonderfully. The big issue for me is that if I do get one (and yes I probably will do), do I choose Brit or Import and then after that which player on the back. Decisions, decisions and we're only into one week of the regular season.
- And finally, the lines: Must saw at the moment the lines that have been assembled look very good, and starting to show signs already of stability and understandings being formed. The RAF line (Roy-Armstrong-Fretter, think about it..) looks to have some serious potential about it and could easily eclipse the FFR from two seasons ago. Valdix looks at home with Dowdy and Levi, the Schultz-Mosi-Desbiens line looks good (Schultz just needs that first goal, and when he does then he'll seriously take off) and even the Ferrara-Nilsson-Jono line would be a good third line for others but it's a hell of a fourth line for us. That's serious depth coverage. Defensively, we're getting there too. All it needs time to gel and they will. Very impressed already.
Well that's it for this week, all that concludes is to wish Anders Franzon a speedy recovery from his unspecified injury and I'll be back next week talking Steelers hockey with you all.
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