Wednesday 29 November 2017

Hockey Soapbox - Season 3 Week 10 - Not A Good Few Days


Welcome once more this week's Hockey Soapbox. As usual the panel are talking about some of the issues that you always want answering. On the panel this week are your Editor-In-Chief Mark, Nathan plus both Sarah and Fay. If we get any more replies, then they'll be added in due course.

With that in mind, it's time to get on your Soapboxes!

1. Five Words On Saturday
Struck for seven by Lightning
Glad I didn’t watch it
That Could Have Gone Better!
The better team won it

2. Five Words On Sunday
A win is a win 
Bored Senseless For Two Periods
Got the job done, thankfully
A win but not fantastic

3. Have we missed a trick by not bringing Geoff Walker back?

Nathan: Yes and No. Yes because even if he took a few games to get going his play off performance was outstanding and the physicality he showed is sadly lacking in our forward lines currently. He would bring a bit more balance and a lot more teeth and perhaps we could see a more consistent 4 line team than a fragmented 3 line team that we see at the moment. 

No because.... well there is no No.
Fay: I think so. It’s hard to see where he would fit though with Mags and Deveaux in that type of role now. Loved his character in our team last year. Glad to see him back just really wish it was with us. 
Mark: I think we have. Everybody knows that when you need players to step it up, Geoff certainly did so. He might not have scored bucket loads but his work ethic is second to none. I would have had him back in a heartbeat.
Sarah: I would have loved Geoff Walker back, especially now with the release of Deveaux. We need some passion in the team and for the team. I think Geoff had that whilst playing for us. There must be a reason as to why either Thommo didn’t want him back or Geoff didn’t want to come back.

4. Which non-Steeler player has impressed you in the EIHL this season?

Fay: Gleason Fournier, Mokshantsev and Saviano
Mark: Calle Ackered of Guildford has been a great pick up for them as has Mokshantsev for the Bears. Those two names stand head and shoulders above the newcomers in terms of players this season. Josh Shalla of the Bears isn't too shabby either.
Sarah: Tough question!! I’m really impressed with the Panthers this year. Lindhagen, Garnett, Mokshantsev to name a few. 
Nathan: Luke Ferrara. (we could do with a 3rd/4th liner like him.......... Oh wait, we DID!)

5. How good would it be to have the Continental Cup in Sheffield; and how would you price it if we did host it?

Mark: Would be fantastic if we could land it, another boost for the EIHL itself. Pricing it; I would have day tickets as per a normal game but maybe charge no more than £40 for a full tournament pass. If any fans from other EIHL teams are wanting to attend; make some kind of arrangement so they can watch it.
Fay: It’d be great, but you can’t beat an away Europe trip! I’d leave ticket prices as they are and maybe add a weekend pass at discounted price. Maybe cheaper deal for EIHL season ticket holders too. Free small programs like Rungsted did! And a cake stand. We all loved the cake stand!
Sarah: It would be great!! The travel would be much easier for most fans from all the clubs and hopefully it would be well attended. It would get well advertised by the club and hopefully look north/BBC could get involved. Pricing structure just something similar to the semi finals (can’t remember exactly what I paid) Individual game prices and then a price for the whole 3 days. We got a card in Rungsted so could please ourselves which games we went to. I just hope it isn’t over priced, we won’t get the attendances if it is. I’m thinking maybe £60-£70 for the whole 3 days and each game for £25. Let’s face it, no matter what they charge it won’t please the fans. (Some fans are not pleased with whatever the club are doing at the moment)
Nathan: It would be great for Sheffield and it would be great for the EIHL but I doubt it would get serious media coverage because it's not kick ball but for UK hockey I hope we get it. (even though I still don't quite understand how we are in the finals after playing only 3 games).

I would price it at £10 adult and £5 concessions and £1 for Steelers season ticket holders.

6. Which place(s) would you like to see an EIHL team created in and why?

Sarah: Leeds and because I could walk to the ice rink that they are building although the structure fell down the other week. It’s slow progress is that ice rink that’s for sure! 
Mark: Miss having the Vipers, the North East needs a EIHL side up there. That aside, maybe one in Liverpool or Dublin as both are sports-mad cities.
Nathan: A team in Newcastle would be awesome sandwich. Nice and central between middle England and Scotland. Big catchment area. Other than that I miss the Stingrays.
Fay: Leeds for another close rivalry team or Dublin for the trip and possible double header weekend with Belfast!


And that's your soapbox this week.




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