Time once to get on our hockey soapboxes everybody. On the panel this week are your co-editors Mark and Tony, Nathan the Penguin, our Scottish Steeler Nicki and a welcome return back from Bethan.
Let's see what they are talking about...
1. Five words on Saturday's game
We played hockey they sang
A routine home win guys
Came out and bossed it
Solid game, we played well.
How to win ugly/boring.
2. Five words on Sunday's game
Winning controversially thanks to Deano
Another last minute goal AGAIN!
What a mess in Belfast!
Why are road games better?
We played hockey they moaned.
3. What are your thoughts on bringing Rod back as injury cover?
Nicki: Bringing back Rod is ok as not sure who else we could get at this time
with no notice. They guy is helping us out big time. The D this year
though for me has been too lightweight back there. Hope for bigger size
next year.
Bethan: I'm really glad we've brought Rod back in - I think he's played well for
us in the past, and even though he does tend to keep up his 'Roddy
average' of balancing great plays with daft mistakes, overall he's a
good player and a good addition. There's
also a definite benefit to bringing in someone who already knows the
ropes in Sheffield, and
hopefully he'll be able to just slot back in.
Nathan: Personally I think it's great news. How many times he'll skate remains to be seen but it's a no brainer really.
Tony: Steelers legend, but so is Shudra and I don't think I'd like to have to
rely on either of them. More evidence that Thommo doesn't think that
Cole or Liam can be trusted, and unfortunately he's unlikely to knock
the rust off for the next three weeks or so. Didn't Edinburgh have
someone we could tempt down South??
Mark: Absolutely brilliant decision, I don't see why people are unhappy with it. He knows the league, the playing systems that Thommo uses and most of all the CLUB! Makes players accountable when he ices and has bags of experience which will help players like young Shudra and Kirk develop.
4. Which player from the rest of the league has impressed you the most?
Nathan: I don't tend to take much notice of individual players from other teams
but the lad in Nottingham, Nirifork or Nofirikork (Nikiforuk - Editor Mark) or whatever his name
is seems to be getting much plaudits. From a mid-table team anyway.
Tony: Bordeleau for his pay / time on ice ratio. Very glad he keeps Lord on
the bench too sometimes and that's a swap every other team remain
grateful for.
Mark: Tough call but I'd have Jake "Alanis" Morissette, isn't it ironic don't you think? When he ices, Cardiff tick like a well oiled machine. Can score and assist in equal measures.
Nicki: Players that have impresses me al always the clan PITT & LEAVIT. We should have took PITT when we took Fitzy imo. Also really liked Erdhardt
from the storm. And don't even get me started on how we let BOWNS
through a fingers. He is from Rotherham for God's sake. He should have been
our goalie for years.
5. Who is the best referee in the league and why?
Nathan: Darnell is the best ref in the league by a long stretch. Head and
shoulders above the others. The overall standard however is cause for
great concern if the EIHL is to progress.
Tony: You only notice and remember the ones who blow calls and make huge
mistakes. So all I know is that it's not Hogarth, Halas, Smith,
Schmejkal (definitely), Pering (ditto) Craig, or Brown....
Mark: No brainer here, it's Tom (Darnell). Always talks to the players during the games; and that's why they respect him. Off ice he's brilliant too, taking time out to explain to us supporters why he made this decision and that one.
Nicki: Best ref isn't that hard I would said Tom he seems the most consistent.
But this has been so poor again. Feel sorry for them out there with no
cash support from the league. Makes our league a laughing stock at times
which is holding us back in European leagues.
Bethan: It
has to be Tom Darnell - he always seems to have a good handle
on the game, and dialogue with the players & benches. While he
misses calls same as any other ref, I never feel like the game gets to
the point of being dangerous to the players like it does sometimes when
other stripeys are in charge.
6. Are you going to the Challenge Cup Final? If not, why?
Tony: Nope - too far away as I'm working on the following Monday, and just
like Walser I can't abide their holier than thou singing. Let's hope we
ram 🐑 it to them. (pun firmly intended I guess Tony - Mark)
Nicki: Not going to the CC Final as it's Cardiff and too far for me to travel
from Scotland but wish everyone who is going a good time and boy are we
up against now we have Cardiff on their own ice 😳
Mark: Nope, I'm away back in Northern Ireland for the weekend - something I planned way before we made the semi-finals. I just hope we can break our Challenge Cup hoodoo, it's been a long time coming!
Bethan: I won't be attending because I'm away that weekend,
but hopefully it'll be a good game & we can bring home the first
bit of silverware for the season! In any case, I'm just glad we knocked
the Panthers out of the running!
Nathan: Not going for many reasons. Already committed to the Play Off weekend so
that's most of this year's salary gone. It's a school night. It's the
Challenge Cup.
And that's this week's soapbox...
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