From The Editor's Chair - Edition 23

I know I said in the early edition this week that I believe we will not do the three-peat. I stand by that now. However, I have a habit of getting things wrong (as you will probably know from my match predictions) and last season I said that we wouldn't win the league at this same point in the season. You of course know what happened. 

I'll be happy if we do create the historic feat, who wouldn't? But after last weekend, I don't think so. Yet I'm going to talk about all three challengers, who their key player is, and then at the end announce my top three. Let's go...

Cardiff Devils: Current League Position 1st

The team that have been the team to challenge all season it has to be said. Ever since they took to the summit, they have been near as damn it - top dogs since. Andrew Lord has built together that has depth, and we are calling serious depth. He can play a former NHL enforcer in Patrick Bordeleau as a fourth liner, that's how deep they are. In defence, they are equally solid and dependable. My only reservation is Tom Murdy, he's a decent back-up just like Geoff Woolhouse but overall nothing to the standard of Bownsy.

Next Game: Saturday 4 February 2017: Nottingham Panthers (H)

Games to play: 16

Maximum Points: 87

Key Player: Ben Bowns - GB international and as good as an import netminder.

Belfast Giants: Current League Position 2nd

A team that has slowly built momentum and remained in the race when a lot, myself included here, believed it was going to between the Steelers and Devils. Whilst the Giants don't have the depth of the Devils or the Steelers, one thing that they do have is a bloody great work ethic. It appears that Derrick Walser has got what he wants, a roster that is buying into his coaching philosophies and one that will fight for each other to achieve the common goal. They might have played more games than their rivals but at the moment, they're buzzing.

Next Game: Saturday 4 February 2017: At Braehead Clan

Games to play: 15

Maximum Points: 84

Key Player: David Rutherford - a player who is underestimated by teams, terrific work ethic.

Sheffield Steelers: Current League Position 3rd

The current defending champions who are trying to create history. With a depth that matches Cardiff's, Steelers can blow you away with pace if they are really on form. They are so stacked with offensive talent that it will cut you open like a knife through hot butter if given opportunties. However, they are also prone at times to giving up leads or simply not performing when the opposition plays a high forecheck game like both Belfast and Cardiff do. It could be their undoing unless the sticking plaster is secured tight and that will hurt.

Next Game: Saturday 4 February 2017: Dundee Stars (H)

Games to play: 17

Maximum Points: 81

Key Player: Colton Fretter - showing the form which makes him a quality import after injuries last year.

So who's my top three? Here it is:

1st - Belfast Giants

2nd - Cardiff Devils

3rd - Sheffield Steelers

It also makes for interesting match ups in the play-off quarter finals too. As that stands now based on my predictions above, Belfast to face Coventry, Cardiff to face Manchester, Braehead to face Fife (either of these are going to win the Gardiner Conference, makes no odds) and most mouthwatering of all Steelers to face Nottingham. See what I mean by interesting? Exactly. Obviously anything and probably will happen, we have eight weeks of regular season action left. Who's your money on?

          

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

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Elite Report - Week 23 Preview

Welcome all and sundry to the prediction column, that bit where we try to go a bit psychic and see if we can what is going to happen in the week ahead. These being games that are not involving the Steelers of course. The predictions start tomorrow night, Wednesday, when Cardiff and Belfast square off in the first leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final.

Last week's review will come later this week. Let's see what happens in that, and if the statistics have improved on the last three where we have been as bad as rotten eggs. Enough of that, here's this week's thoughts:

Wednesday 1 February 2017: 

Cardiff Devils v Belfast Giants: Challenge Cup semi-final first leg. No team wants to be seriously behind going back to the "O". It's going to be edgy and close, fancy a Cardiff win...just like!

Friday 3 February 2017: 

Dundee Stars v Edinburgh Capitals: The basement battle, no ifs no buts about it. Both want wins if they want to make the final eight. I'm leaning to a Stars win in regulation.

Saturday 4 February 2017: 

Braehead Clan v Belfast Giants: Clan could really pop the Giants bubble, but Giants will be on a high as well. Fancy Clan to squeak in overtime.

Fife Flyers v Edinburgh Capitals: As much as the Capitals could win, they could collapse in a Fife barn as well. Flyers to soar in regulation.

Manchester Storm v Coventry Blaze: This could easily go either depending what kind of Blaze team turns up. Storm to get this on after overtime.

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils: Are Panthers that bothered about the league anymore and are prepared for mid-table mediocrity? Devils have high hopes, but Panthers in regulation - close though.

Sunday 5 February 2017:

Cardiff Devils v Manchester Storm: Storm have won in IAW this season before, can they do it again this Sunday? Sorry, lightning doesn't strike twice, Devils with a regulation win.      

Edinburgh Capitals v Belfast Giants: Giants need to keep winning, and I expect them to do this in regulation against the bottom placed Capitals.

Fife Flyers v Nottingham Panthers: Middle of the table match up and one that could swing in either direction. Panthers to secure the points but needing overtime to do so.

So that's the week ahead? How do you see them panning out? Let us know.

 

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

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Gigantic failures - Five things I learnt this weekend.

Well that wasn’t the weekend we had hoped for, nor the weekend we expected following good wins in Cardiff and Nottingham, but it was the weekend we got, and we can take learnings from it. Here’s five things I took away from the weekend.

1. No show on Saturday – I’m not talking about my decision to watch the Rival Sons at the Leadmill instead of going to the game, but reflecting on the opinions of the fans when I talked to them the following night. What happened to the team? There were visible frustrations on the ice, and lots of frustration in the fans - frustration with Thommo tinkering with the lines, and then sticking with it despite everyone else thinking it wasn’t working. I’m glad to have missed it but many seem to think that was the worst performance they’ve seen in a long time. Going behind heavily in the first period is never great watching, but we never responded and should have all just gone home after Riley grabbed their fifth, but as Tony and Simmsey keep telling us – we’re just fans who know nothing.
2. Better on Sunday – We were playing like demons at the start of Sunday, back to the forward lines that everyone recognised, and getting early pressure on their net - the crowd was as noisy as anything when Luke scored the first, and then confidence increased further after our second. If we could have reached the first interval before Levi’s hot-headed penalty, and if not for the lucky rebound for the Giants PP goal then we might have gone on to better things. Their first goal seemed to knock whatever confidence our players had, re-energised their supporters, and handed over the momentum. We grabbed it back briefly at 3.3 but killed ourselves off again with another individual mistake shortly afterwards. Not the worst game I’ve seen, and a point might have been a fair result, but after the frustrations of Saturday I think we will all reflect on it harshly.
3. Need for change – Performances like that breed discontent and calls for changes in the management and playing staff, but let’s take a breather and reflect on where we are in the league, what great hockey we’ve seen so far, and give them the benefit of the doubt. The team has been grabbing results with quite a few misfiring forwards, some leaky defence, and no options for resting players or Moose – we’ve been keeping ourselves in the hunt without playing at our best. We’ve no god given right to win the league, I just want to be competitive, and if Thommo could just bring in that spare soon that would be great.
4. Title favourites – For argument let’s say it’s just a two-horse race now – Cardiff have both a game in hand, and are a point ahead, but as there are still four head-to-head games between the Devils and Giants, then it’s clear that anything is still possible. Cardiff have been looking over their shoulder for months now, whilst Belfast have been on a great run of form, so on balance I’d probably favour Belfast. However, there’s plenty of time yet for another twist, or another horse to rejoin the race, and it’s worth noting that our friends at @AVFTB were writing themselves out of the running too back in November.
5. What do we need to do to win it? – We have 17 games left, almost one-third of the season still to go. One-third! OK, we have an eight point gap to Cardiff, and only one game in hand, but add that game-in-hand to also having three more Gardiner conference games than they do, then that could recover about half of that gap right there. We then have two games against Cardiff and one against Belfast, and if we win two of those we’re back in it. I think we have the easier run-in, and if those two start worrying about each other and sharing their head-to-heads we’re still going to have a big say in where the title goes. Maybe it’s wishful thinking but it’s still game on in Sheffield.

One final thing to leave you with is to ask if you saw Mike Smith’s antics at the NHL all-star weekend four line challenge? He’s the n/m for the Coyotes and maybe not the biggest household name, but he grabbed some headlines as he floated a puck from the far goalline into net target at the other end of the rink that wasn’t much wider than the puck itself! Now that’s great puck handling with a goalie paddle right there, but let’s hope the Steelers weren’t watching as otherwise our shoot-for-a-car will move back from the blue-line to at least the centre-line, and involve a goalie stick just to make sure there’s no winner.

Game Highlight links - January 2017

Thought I'd add up a rolling post where we can share links to Steelers highlights from across the league - if you want links, we've got you covered!

Away win in Manchester (here) in the league

Away loss on Saturday in Belfast (here) in the league

Away win on Sunday in Belfast (here) in the league

Home win in Ice Sheff against the Caps (here) in the league

Home win against the Blaze (here) in the league

Away win in Coventry (here) in the league

Home loss in Ice Sheff against the Clan (here) in the league

Away win in Cardiff (here) in the league

Away win in Nottingham (here) in the CC cup Semi-final first leg

Home loss on Saturday to the Giants (here) in the league

Home loss on Sunday to the Giants (here) in the league

What a sad way to end the month - lots of wins but three losses against the Giants.


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From The Editor's Chair - Edition 22

After what has been a disappointing weekend results-wise, it's time to reflect. Remember of course that these are my own views and not that of Sheffield Steelers IHC. Disclaimer right there for you.

Well before the weekend began, we had all important first leg in the much maligned Challenge Cup semi-final against the Bears from Lace City. The Bear was back, courtesy of some kind people publishing it on social media. Could we rise to the occasion and take a step towards the Final in Ice Arena Wales on 5 March? That reminds me, how many of you have pre-booked your tickets yet? I know I haven't because I know I ain't going as I'm back in Belfast for a fundraising night at the rugby club 24 hours prior.

The home side were still short bodies but welcomed Geoff Waugh back to the blueline after a lengthy injury absence. Talking about him, how can his surname sound similar to our very own Mathieu's? To me it's pronounced as War, just like the former Australian cricketer and captain Steve.  Steelers were at full strength as it can be, with both Cole and Liam dressed as well as everyone. But it didn't start too good did it? Brian McGrattan, yeah that guy who was an enforcer in "The Show" scoring after just 90 seconds with a breakaway (yes you read that right) and a finish that even Alex Ovenchicken (Ovechkin to those with no humour) or Patrick Kane would be proud of.

Yet we got to grow in the game and in the second period, really started to exert our influence on the game. A shot count of 15 to 6 tells that story, and by this time Jason Williams (he who scored the game winners over Christmas) had departed through to injury. Yaldi Valdi levelled and then it seemed to be a case of Miika Wiikman against the Steelers. It took a tense third period and with about six and a bit minutes left for the tie to broken and with another highlight reel Colton Fretter goal. Steelers held firm after that and now go into the Valentine's Day second leg with a slender lead. It's one they know full well, and I second that thought, could evaporate if they aren't focused.

This weekend we faced second Belfast in a massive high stakes double header and by the time I am penning this, you will know that we have come out of it pointless. Not even a single overtime or penalty shot loss point to our name, all four have gone over the water and in regulation too which is a massive dagger in the Steelers heart. It's a couple of defeats we didn't need especially with the season drawing to an end. We're now seven points behind the Giants and eight behind Cardiff after the latter's 2-1 win in Fife tonight. That to me, is too much pull back.

We have to face facts and know we are not going to create history by capturing a third successive title. If you believe we can, then you must be the eternal optimist. Even I know, the title is going to either Belfast or Cardiff and if I had to pick one out of the two: I'll have to choose Derrick Walser's men over Andrew Lord's. Belfast really impressed me in the two games, and whilst Cardiff have the depth - Belfast rely upon a team ethic as opposed to a lot of individuals like Devils I believe are. We're too inconsistent to say the least. 

So that's my thoughts for another week, see you next.

 

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

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Elite Report - Week 22 Preview

Time again to see what we think will unfold in the other games in the EIHL this weekend. It's week number twenty-two, last one in January, so dust off the crystal ball and go all Mystic Meg (more like Brian Conley's Septic Peg) with some more predictions.

Well here goes..

Saturday 28 January 2017:

 

Braehead Clan v Fife Flyers: Clan to see off the Flyers in regulation, just...

Cardiff Devils v Nottingham Panthers: Panthers could sneak this but Devils might just edge it after overtime.

Coventry Blaze v Edinburgh Capitals: A regulation home win for the Blaze.

Manchester Storm v Dundee Stars: Storm to unshine the Stars in regulation at the Shelter.

Sunday 29 January 2017:

Dundee Stars v Braehead Clan: Quite fancy a Stars win here, maybe after overtime.

Edinburgh Capitals v Manchester Storm: Can Caps get a win, why not? A penalty shot win for Michal Dobron's men.

Fife Flyers v Cardiff Devils: Not an easy away game for Devils at all, Flyers to get this in overtime and Shane Owen to have another stellar game.

Nottingham Panthers v Coventry Blaze: East vs West Midlands, no love lost between them. Panthers to record a tight win in regulation.

So those are this weekend's predictions? How do you see them unfolding? Remember the new look coming next season, get your interest logged...

      

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

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Big Match Preview - Belfast Double Header

After the exertions of Wednesday night in the Lace City, it's back to the bread and butter of the Elite League at the weekend. Steelers title hopes are hanging by a thread you have to admit, and the team need to go on a massive winning streak to overhaul those above us.

This weekend is massive, in every sense of the word. We entertain the following in a home double header:

Yes it's second placed Belfast Giants! Told you it was a massive weekend didn't I? Giants, at the time of this article going online, lie points ahead of the Steelers but Steelers have a couple of games in hand. Yet as we all know, it's nice having games in hand but you've got to win them to gain the ultimate benefit out of it.

Our record against them in recent times has been good, very good indeed. We've been their nemesis so to speak and didn't lose a game to them on home ice in last season's title winning campaign - in fact we only lost one out of the eight encounters overall. This season has seen Giants having two wins (one being the overtime win at the start of the month) and Steelers having three. Both games in the House Of Steel have ended in 5-1 wins for Paul Thompson's men and they will be keen to continue in the same vein but of course Derrick Walser's men will have other ideas.

Players to watch from the Giants side include the ever-improving Jackson Whistle in between the pipes (expect him to start one of the two games), Colin Shields who seems to score or assist against us, Chris Higgins the overtime scoring expert and of course they will be led by the warrior himself; Adam Keefe. It's a dangerous looking roster that Walser has at his disposal, and one that we will need to be on our guard against. 

If we play like we have done against them beforehand, then we should have more than enough to see them off. Cardiff eyes will definitely be casted in the Arena's direction; they know full well that a split weekend with each team picking up a win apiece benefits them in every sense. For Steelers, it could be a case of s**t or bust!

Predictions? Steelers to win game one 5-2, and to complete a four point weekend with a 2-1 overtime win on the Sunday. How do you see it unfolding?

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

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Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 Week 22 - Back In Business

After a short break we're back in action with Frozen Steel Blog's "Hockey Soapbox". On the panel answering the burning topics are Editors Tony and Mark plus exiled Steelers fan Nicki Blueitt and the man with the vuvuzela - Andy Roberts. Any more replies will be added later.

Without further ado, let's go...

Question 1: Five words on the Clan game

Slipped on a banana skin

Really lacking a sniper now

Clan capitalise on sloppy plays

Another poor Ice Sheffield game

Question 2: Five words on the Devils game

Finally two points in Cardiff!

Nervous Twitter Refresh. Important Win

Bordeleau words inspire road victory

About time we beat them

Question 3: Which team has got the bottle to grab the title on the run-in?

Tony -  We have a history of pulling through these situations, so although we're third at the moment, if we get 3 or 4 points from next weekend then I'd make us favourites - but it's on a knife edge and a player injury, suspension, or unlucky bounce or two will probably swing it. After hearing Ben Bowns last night I think we've got them a bit rattled, so keep at 'em Thommo as you're in their heads. If we could just grab another import to allow us to rest those with the worst knocks that might tip us over the top - Mosienko's still only got three goals from 21 games in Denmark, so if we could just poach him back...

Andy - Still impossible to say who is going to win title at the minute. We are in the same position we have been for last two seasons and know what it takes to do it. Cardiff, whilst their massive lead has been cut, are still in pole position. Can they find the will to hold on? Belfast also know what it takes to win the title. This weekend is going to be very interesting. A four point weekend for either Steelers or Giants and it could be a 2 team race depending on how Cardiff fare.

Nicki - Steelers have proved time and time again when the pressure is massive at the end of the season they turn up. I'm not sure about Devils, they have crumbled before and I think we are going to see how tough they are now with pressure building. I also think Giants could be a massive threat. They have won leagues before recently and know how to handle pressure. 

Mark - We've been in this position before so we know how to handle it. Devils always seem to have a wobble and usually when we have beaten them in the final game at their barn sparking it off. The experience we have could be useful, and there's no substitute for that. If anyone I'm more concerned about the Giants than the Devils. Could be more tears in Cardiff come mid-March.

Question 4: When we're having inconsistency spells; what's going wrong?

Nicki - I am not a big fan of signing Rattlesnake for D them playing him on the wing? We need to replace Jesse and get a sniper back up front. Some games I feel like if the O’Connor wasn’t scoring to help the forwards we would be much future behind than we are. ** get someone signed soon Thommo!!!

Mark - Lack of concentration is something that happens a lot, I don't know but we seem to switch off when we think we have got the game won. This sometimes happens after one period too. You switch off your focus and allow the other team to come onto you by sitting back, then next thing you've been hauled back to parity or you're losing. Hockey is a game that demands concentration at all times, we're guilty as charged when it comes to this at times. Some points have been thrown away needlessly when we could have put the opposition out of sight if we kept up the intensity every time on every shift.

Tony -  To play in our league, and not one of the higher leagues, each player is missing one of the key hockey ingredients, as if they could do everything every time then they'd be too good for the EIHL. This is revealed when you see that almost every goal we've given up recently is from a single player making a simple defensive mistake - and that's our Achilles heel - we need to play simple at the back, and leave the flair until we're further up the ice. Currently we can either score goals OR defend, but not both, and hopefully Thommo can get that balance back somewhere in the middle again soon. 

Andy - On most weeks when we are inconsistent we seem to be weak clearing the zone. The clearance just seem to drift to an opposition D man on blue which generates more pressure and more often than not recently a goal. This then generates extra pressure for forwards to score. Sticks get held more tightly and the puck fails to see twine. We were much better clearing the zone on Sunday than Saturday.

Question 5: On the playing front what's this week's plus / minus (I.e. who has done better than expected and who has done worse?)

Tony - Plus: Must give some credit to Tony Hand for his IIHF hall of fame recognition - a superb result for a minor league country, and some credit to the Panthers for winning the prestigious Conti Cup. Just how much credit you get for not winning your league, going into the competition for second rate teams from second rate leagues, is however debatable. If you disagree just reel off the leagues involved since CHL founder leagues were banned and/or the last teams to win it... 

Minus : The lack of plexi behind the benches at Fife - let's see how that story progresses...

Nicki - Plus: Having Valdix back is so good to see let's hope he gets on from where he left us on fire!! Also Hagos doesn’t half get some bad luck with lucks. I don’t think we have seen the best from him yet so lets hope he gets a run going now 

Negative:  Thommo those lines that started the game against the Clan at the start was the worse I've seen him put together in a long time. The guys were all over and let 2 straight in with the consequences. 

Mark - Plus: The return of Yaldi Valdi! The guy has such silky skills, most Swedes do, and very rarely coughs up possession. He's so strong and protects that puck so well, I keep thinking it's Stefan Meyer all over again. He makes that second line with "The Bash Brothers" (Dowdy and Levi) run like a finely oiled machine. His absence was a key reason why we had a few dodgy games, steadying influence like what he provides reaps benefits.

Negative:  Being far too offensive so early in the OT period in the Clan game. We coughed up possession and then got caught on the break. Surely it would have been a bit more sensible to work the opportunity instead of finishing it damn quick. 

And finally:  Any other business from across the league this week?

Andy - Have the league suddenly realised that IAW may not be a big enough venue for the CC final or are they deliberately trying to rip fans off with the overpriced ticket reservation and booking fee? Would it have just not been simpler to wait to see which two teams make the final and then sort blocks etc out accordingly?

Nicki - Tom Squires news has just broke, played with us 2010-2012, can't believe he turned out to be a child sex offender. Let's hope they throw the book at him. Far too many sportsmen thinks its acceptable to abuse young fans.

Tony - Quick mention of the CHL final : Sparta Prague v Frolunda Indians - could Sparta break the Swedish stranglehold on the CHL on 7th February? No, I doubt it too! 

Mark - See Panthers have been given the green light to join next season's CHL. Anyone would think by their reaction that they are the ones who should be in it all the time. Guess winning a sandwich tray is like winning Lord Stanley to them. Still can't see them getting past the first stage. If we are allowed two teams, the league runners-up should have the spot. Continental Cup winners should be defending their crown in that tournament unless they finish top two in the league.

We'll be back with more next week, new and previous panel members welcomed.

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@DISGU15ED

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog