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.
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