Hockey Soapbox - Season 3 Week 1 - An unbelievable weekend

It's the time to launch again the Hockey Soapbox for a third season. The usual suspects are back for more ranting as in the eccentric Eric Green and co-editors Tony and Mark. They are joined for the first time by a newcomer to the ranks, everybody's favourite scabbywabbit...Sarah Stephenson! A huge welcome to you Sarah.

Introductions done with, now it's time to get onto those soapboxes people.

1. Five words on Saturday

Finner's goons were outplayed eventually. 

Character against the Goon show.

Focus wins us the war.
Hard work but job done.

2. Five words on Sunday

Character to come from behind.

Play up to the buzzer.

It's that Levi man again!

Only led for vital second.

3. Are we missing Fitzy?

Sarah: On Saturday we missed him because of the type of game it was, definitely needed our enforcer. He would have stepped up to the plate to protect the rest of the guys. Our D were poor at times on Sunday so any help would have been good. He's a big body that has a lot of presence on the ice. He's much more mobile than previous season so I look forward to seeing him this season. 

Mark: Yes, when you have a physical team such as Manchester in opposition then someone like Fitzy is needed. He was also missed a sixth defenceman when you play teams like Nottingham etc. There's a lot about Fitzy's play that a lot of people miss, he's more than someone who drops the gloves and protects his team-mates. Over his time here I've seen him become a two-way defenceman, prepared to stay at home and close the door but capable of getting forward and causing havoc offensively. The amount we lose in terms of points dropped in his absence has to be minimal by the time he returns. Lose too many, it's catch up time.

Tony: Having our top two tough guys out will have an impact, but think both the Blaze and Storm would play physically anyway. We missed a sixth defenceman on Sunday and maybe that contributed to giving up some of the goals.

Eric:  Yes! I think we are... Having no Desbiens to back up our Zack it became a bit of a long haul Saturday against a Finner side that have already nailed their colours to the way they intend to play this season. Given we have bodies like Ronnberg I didn't think we would have a problem with the Goon teams, but it seems we do. Credit to the guys, however, for sticking up for each other anyway.

And on a side note. Sorry Ed... (it's OK Eric - Mark) I've only seen two games so far this season and its STILL! Blatantly obvious that the EIHL have not heeded the fans fears of the officials not being up to officiating at the level of game in the EIHL. That to me is another big reason why we need Fitzy back. To protect our guys. Something the officials are incapable of doing. (Bring back MALTESER DARNELL) at least he had a pair..

4. What do you reckon to the new shirts, and if so which one is your favourite?

Mark: I like them bar the white one. I've bought the new home one already, and the extra bits of blue look good on it especially on the shoulders. I would have liked the retro logo to be on all the shirts not just the Challenge Cup. But hey ho...

Tony: Not for me thanks. Too messy.

Eric:  Well I may buck  the trend here. But actually. NONE of them, is the easy answer.  

The home shirts are still, although orange, dull as dish water. The cup jersey, What's with the blue? If they wanted a second colour it had to be teal! Not blue...Whats that all about?  Our image is just being diluted, what are we going to get next season orange and YELLOW... 

Sarah: League shirts are ok ish, like the blue in them but I do prefer the challenge cup shirt. I like the retro logo and ended up buying the shirt. My favourite shirt though is the warm up shirt!!

5. Do you have any plans to go abroad to watch hockey this season?

Tony: Yes. Hopefully I'll feature some five things from Riga, Helsinki and Rungsted this year. All flights booked for some KHL and Continental Cup action in the next few months 👍🏽

Eric: Having a daughter that has just got married. The simple answer to this one is No! I am now broke.

Sarah: Going to Denmark to watch us in the Continental Cup and I can't wait, never been abroad to watch the team so I'm looking forward to it. I am also going to Berlin in December and will be watching Eisbären Berlin play twice whilst I'm there.
Mark: Hoping to go back to Sweden at some point this season and see my HV71 friends that I've established. Can't afford to do that as well as Denmark plus getting time off work is always difficult. Oh and I have three weddings to save up for and attend - the price financially of a large family. Might be able to squeeze in GB in Budapest if I am lucky.

And finally.... Which of the new players have impressed you so much so far?

Sarah: Wallace has impressed me, he does a bit of everything including dropping the gloves. Give Westerling a couple more weeks and I reckon he'll be lighting up the lamp on a regular basis. I do like our new new guy Koivisto, a very quick and smart player. Hope we sign him for the rest of the season.

Mark: I'm impressed with a lot of our new signings, the new third line of Koivisto-Wallace-Westerling looks seriously as good but not as awesome as the DVN wrecking ball line though. There might be a few tough calls to make from Thommo once Marquardt is fit and healthy: does he have Koivisto as an extra import. Would like Ronnberg to be a touch more physical for a guy who is a man mountain but overall we're doing well. No need to flap and panic at present.

Tony: Most of the Panthers new signings look great quality, and an upgrade on what they had.  

I'm not sure about ours yet. Brown and Kirk look like they might have great futures. Favourite so far is probably Matheson, especially if we could play him with a stay at home guy. Wallace looked great in game one, but haven't seen too much since. Westerling is the opposite - wasn't so sure at first but seems to be involved in a lot of our recent goals, so he must be doing something right.

Eric: Well only having seen most of them twice, some once, and some not at all yet this season, it's hard to give an opinion. However, the one I would pick out, who is the engine of this and last season's Steelers side, who I call a Steeler because he has passion, gives 100% every game, has the Steeler no nonsense attitude plays when it hurts a lot, and plays up to the last second. That player is Levi Nelson. None better in a orange jersey last season or so far this... Steeler... 

On a final note. You will see that I mentioned MALTESER DARNELL. This is the same Tom Darnell who I commonly and laughingly described on numerous occasions  as the EIHL official having a stick and a dog (no disrespect intended only joking) blind swine. Lol...... That distinction I now pass onto a certain Mr Tom Pering. Dear oh dear...

And that concludes the first soapbox of the season. If you want to feature next week then the contact details are below.

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