Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 week 18 - Everything's fine

In the week that brought you two wins in the most heated rivalry in all of sport, a testimonial for our club captain, and an ill-judged media release from the EIHL, we’ve got lots to discuss – so here’s this week’s soapbox. Eric Green, Andy Roberts, Mark Duell and Bethan lead the charge this week, with occasional interjections from your editor Tony.

Advice from the bench for the Testimonial top-line

You might want to get a brew on, as like most therapies this may take some time… keep reading to the bottom, it does end on a high honestly!

So let’s have your five word summaries from those two games:

Saturday:

An away win in Beirut.

Easy win. Disregard the scoreboard.

Tight game, shame about Fitzy

Two points, job half done.

Schmejkal ref. Another head injury

Sunday: 

Such a comfortable home win.

Thirty minutes then easy coast.

Well-oiled machine. Fully deserved.

Sublime hockey, four point weekend. 

Did not see the game :(

And how about that media release about fines for dissent?

What were you thinking of

Misjudged what was really needed.

Dissent from fans, not clubs.

Absolutely ridiculous, not gonna help!

Fine effect. Doesn't sort cause!

Starting with the hockey, what was your take on the two games over the weekend?

• Mark - Well what we learned from those games are what we already know, this Panthers side is an absolute pile of doggie poo. They are probably one of the worst Panthers sides since the EIHL actually began, and in McGrattan they have a guy that's just enjoying a nice pay cheque who offers nothing. They do not compete as a team and look at each other when all goes wrong with little or no encouragement from Neilson.
• Eric - From what I heard the Steelers were the better side overall on Saturday, with some more shocking decisions by the officials. In particular, a hit on Ratchuk and another serious blind side hit to the head on Fitzgerald.  That's now 3... Hagos (concussion), Nelson (2 teeth and several stitches) and finally a blindside hit on Fitzgerald by Lawrence (outcome another concussion). Credit to the guys for digging deep and coming away with a result and more importantly 2 crucial points especially in a sold out NIC.
• Andy - I only saw the game in Nottingham on Saturday. I felt we dominated large proportions of the game but somehow we nearly didn't win. I thought the game was entertaining but once again marred by another head injury. Wonder who the ref was again?
• Bethan – I didn't see the game on Saturday but I think the first period of Sunday's game was some of the best hockey I've seen us play this season - we were camped out in their end and it all just looked really slick. I'm hoping (probably in vain) that DOPS will review and hand out bans for that hit on Hagos early on, but in any case the way Franzon came to Yared's defence made me warm to him a little more. Hopefully we can keep this level of play going!
• Eric - The return encounter at the Arena on Sunday was incredible. The first period we TANGO'd PACL in the Panther’s goal. It must have seemed like wave after wave of Orange coming at him. 3 unopposed goals and the Panthers hard pushed to stem the tide. I seriously cannot remember a more sublime and dominant period of hockey from the Steelers during my period of supporting them. 
• Mark - It makes you wonder, has Neilson lost this locker room before Christmas? He looked a crestfallen figure when going back to his bench before the start of the second period; as if he wanted to quit but GM the GM wouldn't let him. If Corey was coach at Steelers, and his team were performing like they are at the moment down in NG1, he would be out of the door quickly and give an all new meaning to "Whoosh it's behind you!". I certainly wouldn't take some of those players he has in our side. Bad recruitment equals bad results, they will be lucky to finish in the top five this season.
• Eric - The middle stanza was a near repeat of the first – even when we conceded 1 goal, this dealt more embarrassment on the visiting team and fans, as the Steeler fans stood and cheered for them. I felt sorry for the visiting fans. Why? Because this Panthers team is the worst team Neilson’s put together in recent years, and I seriously couldn't see them coming back into the game after we went ahead. They have no penetration and their power play is the worst I've seen, even poorer than ours on a bad night, and that's saying something.  Dear oh dear abysmal...
• Mark - Despite certain things, we're moving into a new stratosphere which is leaving teams like Nottingham, Coventry et al behind. Cardiff is probably the one that can compete with us, and they will continue to grow as long as Kelman is in the principality. I'm still happier to be a Steeler than a Bear (sorry I mean Panther)!
• Eric - Oh! While I'm on about coach Neilson, can he explain to me why, when facing one, if not the, quickest attacking side in the League, he continually puts a unit on the ice which included McGratten, Lawrence, Farmer and Kudros? These guys are all big, but they have as much speed as a JCB, and the turning circle of an ocean going oil tanker.   Beyond me!!! 
• Eric - Special mention(s) and respect go to: Dowd, the guy never stopped on both games (The Nilsson, Nelson and Dowd line is something else at the moment, very difficult to contain. Brilliant guys). and Ratchuk - the Rattlesnake. This guy has marvellous puck skill, soft hands and must be a handful to play against when driving forward. 

Off-ice, what’s your take on the state of the league and those fines for dissent?

• Eric - It was the EIHL trying to pour water on, and dilute, the true problems of the league, its officials and player safety panel. Obviously this was done in an effort to deflect the anger that was being aimed at them through media platforms.
• Bethan - I could barely believe what I was reading when I first read this statement! I understand they want to cut down on criticisms, bad for business etc. etc., but I don't think the way they've gone about it is at all appropriate - not only is it damaging to team finances, but also to the players. This league has gained a lot of respect in recent years, and we're starting to attract some top quality players, I really hope that this move isn't going to put a stop to that. Now I best stop there, my student loan isn't going to cover any fines!
• Eric - If I as a fan can see the problems, as can fans of all the other clubs, as can ex-players of the league voicing similar opinions on Twitter, then I'm afraid the problem is the inconsistency of the DOPS panel and the horrendous officiating, not the coaches comment about them. I fear three things may happen. 1) Players will talk to each other and the imports, that are currently improving year on year, will stop coming, 2) the fans will then start leaving as the hockey skill will decrease, and 3) a player finishes up with a career changing injury or worse.
• Andy - Personally I thought the statement about fines was hilarious! I understand that we need to have the rule/system in place as it is in every professional sport. However, everyone in the league knows there is a serious issue with standard of refereeing and the fact that goal line technology is still not up and running. We have a couple of very good refs but we also have some very poor ones too. I feel it won't be long before we have a serious career ending injury. It is surely now time for a 4 man system to be used and buddy up the refs to help the poor ones improve. No amount of suppression is going to change the facts. For all the great work the league/clubs has done to improve the standard and attendances I feel the reffing issues are going to stop the level of player we want in the league coming. At this point we go back to the old days of dwindling attendances etc. No one wants that!
• Mark - The league is certainly growing in some way the right direction, with rosters improving season on season (Panthers current one excepted haha) which makes for an interesting campaign. But I think the big problem is with two things: 
• 1. DoPS as former Panthers defenceman Brock Wilson correctly alludes to. It's threatening to undo the good progress that the league has made. Apparently Todd Kelman allegedly said it just Simon Kirkham making these decisions, so what happened to the people across Europe which we were supposedly told about. We have lots of former players and coaches, why don't we do like they do in the NHL and get them involved instead of relying one man's opinions. I'm sure players, coaches and fans alike would appreciate it more if it was overhauled. 
• 2. The EIHL might have a board combined of all the EIHL chairmen, but it really needs an independent figurehead at the ultimate top. Sure, Tony's doing it when nobody else wants to but I really think it needs someone completely neutral that is not affiliated to any club in the top position. That would then possibly stop statements like last week's. Which was absolutely laughable/cringeworthy/embarrassing* (* - delete as applicable).
• Eric - So given those issues, what does the PC brigade of the EIHL come up with? Send the chairman out with a threat to the clubs, players and officials of the EIHL to stop complaining. Well here's my response Tony and the board of the league. You missed the target by a country mile! Why? Because you targeted the clubs, when in reality most of the dissent on public media sites was coming from the money paying fan base of all the clubs, the cash cow you get to fund your teams.... Sorry if it hurts! But it is the truth...
• Mark - In relation to the statement people have the right to be annoyed especially if things don't go their way and one decision changes the whole complexity of a game. It's called freedom of speech and people have to accept that. So fining people for these "comments" isn't the answer. Listen to what they have to say, they are telling the truth and where things are going wrong. It will help the game "grow". Use some common sense, not the hard line attitude as that will send things backwards.
• Editor – I think everyone shares the view that we need to improve DOPS and Officiating, and although we’re taking small steps no-one seems to know how to leap forward. I’d love a Chairman to lead us into that hallowed ground, with inspiring public pronouncements about what we are going to do and when. What I don’t want is someone telling people to stop rocking the boat because it’s hurting his business model. Seth and the media team should have stepped in and spun this around, as we all want the same thing, but threats are ill-judged and smack of bullying. I appreciate there are bigger issues in the world, and as Steelers fans we’ve suffered worse, but I feel let down by the league’s response and left very annoyed.

Any other business?

• Andy - Saturday was my first time being in the presence of the comedy that is the inflatable bear. Takes all day to blow up and then has to be dragged unceremoniously across the ice by its rear end as it deflates. I was pure comic genius! I so hope we don't get a bright idea of having one.
• Mark - The sight of a glum faced GM the GM watching his team being dismantled so easy. Neilson's alluding to changes but is it too late already? The sticking plaster keeps falling off and the crack gets larger so much so that it could even rival the San Andreas Fault at this rate. Changes are needed for sure, I agree, but maybe it's those who make the big decisions (GM, CN) who should be changed. The players can only follow instructions from CN, so maybe that is the problem? Maybe CN has outstayed his time in NG1, and is now being outsmarted by younger and technically astute coaches like Lord. Carry on like this, and Panthers fans will be waiting another 57 years for another league title...

Ending on a happier note, are you going to Jono / Jonna / Jon boy’s testimonial?

• Mark - No, sadly I have to work late shifts this week so will miss out seeing Joey, Steeeve and all back on the ice again. I'm sure that everyone there, fans and players alike, will have a great deal of fun. Jono deserves a special night, and I am sure it will be just that.
• Eric – The entire Greenbunch will be there in block seven, supporting the captain, and looking forward to welcoming back a few old faces.
• Andy - I went to the testimonial game having never been to one before and didn't know what to expect. I really enjoyed it and it was great to celebrate a captain’s career. From start to finish there were comedy moments. Hewey and O'Connor were in their element. It was great to see one of our more prolific scoring partnerships back together. Does Joey T ever age? At the back it was legends are us with a non-stop smiling Rocket Ron paired with Steeeeeeeve Munn. Have we kidnapped him yet?? The only downer on the night was that Fitzy couldn't dress for the game after Saturday night. A special mention to David Clarke who still travelled up from Nottingham even though he couldn't play through injury - his coaching was genius putting the kids on to run up the score!
• Bethan - The testimonial game was a lot of fun - it was great to see some old faces again, and some very young ones! Highlight for me has to either be Benny O'Connor in net, or when one of the kids decided to 'drop the gloves' with Hagos, who picked him up and carried on playing! It was a great night to celebrate a brilliant captain, and here's hoping he has many more successful years with the Steelers.
• Tony – I was there! Great to see the guys coming back, and my top ten highlights for those who weren’t:

1. Ben O’Connor playing nettie, and amping up the crowd – he was the biggest kid on the ice!
2. Under 10’s team – with young Thomas and the Phillips boys, we may have generation two coming through.
3. Yared playing through a tackle from one of the under 10’s and skating off with the puck whilst plucking the young chap up and carrying him along for the ride.
4. Brad Day playing up front and missing an absolutely open net from two feet.
5. Me missing out on Fitzy’s shirt by one number – on two tickets :o
6. Netminder racing, and Hewey stepping in to push Jazzy along faster.
7. Cole and Ron facing off, and debating whether to go toe-to-toe just this once.
8. Simmsey calling the penalties – “abuse of an OAP” and “for being bald” were two I can remember.
9. Brad Day being followed by five under-10’s after he knocked one down – and then being piled upon by all of them and gloves and sticks flying everywhere.
10. And lastly, Jono himself, clearly embarrassed having to keep it together as he addressed the crowd and his mates on the ice. We hope you had a cracking night JP. 

Thanks for reading - please let us know what you think, or get in touch and we'll post up your views too.

Tony.