Hockey Soapbox - Season 3 Week 7 - Points On The Board

Welcome one and all to this week's Hockey Soapbox. It's been another busy week of hockey discussion, and plenty for the panel to talk about. On the panel for this week's Soapbox are your blog editors Mark and Tony, the forthright opinions of Nathan and also the breath of fresh air that comes from both Sarah and Fay.

With no further delay, time to get on those soapboxes.


1. Five Words On The Weekend

Reasons to be very cheerful

Young ones take centre stage

Tough weekend, three good battles

Love a Scottish double header

Braehead The Worst Team Ever?

2. Is the Fretter ban now the correct length and has Goulakos got off lightly?

Sarah: It probably is the correct length, although I was thinking maybe 3-4 games. Goulash (saw someone call him that and it stuck) definitely got off lightly. It seemed as though the independent review blamed Fretter for being checked from behind. He’s a repeat offender. I don’t feel it gave the right message out in regards to checking from behind. 

Fay: Agree with the Fretter ban but completely disagree with the reduction. Will not start because I probably won’t stop haha.

Tony: Fretter ban was too low at one game, could have been multi-month, so anything below ten games is ok. It was a stupid petulant reaction and needed significant action from the league. Here's hoping that there's no stupid 'fighters code' reaction the next time we play Belfast as they have multiple goons and a coach who loses the plot easily. 

Nathan: Absolutely. The whole thing has been a huge bunch of annoyance and hadn't it been for the woeful ineptitude of the officiating then we wouldn't even be discussing it but unfortunately it's showing the league up for what it really is at this moment. The DOPS fiasco and the Twitter meltdown afterwards causing professionals and ex-professionals to even come out and mock the decisions was quite frankly embarrassing. Not to mention losing arguably our best player for half a dozen games. OK, we done alright this weekend but we'll not play the atrocious Braehead every week. Beer league?

Mark: It's more realistic than it was initially because the original verdict was nothing more than a proverbial slap in the face. It made the league look comical not to mention how it made this so called Department of Player Safety appear. Goulakos has definitely gotten off lightly, there's one incident in the same game that seems to have been overlooked, the slash on Nelson, I do reckon he will be a marked man come the next encounter but we need to play smart and not fall for his tricks. Play him hard but within fairness then nobody will have just cause to bitch and moan, only his own coach at him.

3. What is your opinion on the reaction from other clubs fans over the incident, have they gone way over the top?

Fay: Yes they have. Feel like there wouldn’t be this much of an uproar if it was any other team. Also, can imagine the rest of the league calling us moaners if it was us reacting that way!

Tony: Unfortunately with our recent success and self-publicist muppet media man we will always be top of people's hate list. The fact that Tony Smith is also the chairman of the league also adds fuel to the fire. The incident itself was easy to spread as it was instantly available on a quality clip so could be retweeted readily. So it was a bonfire ready to ignite. Plonkers like Wheeler will have had a field day - fortunately I have him blocked so I didn't see it myself.  

Nathan: The fact that it was a complete fiasco from start to finish justified the OTT reactions but the hit itself was appalling and should have never happened by a seasoned pro like Fretter. It's the age we live in though and currently the EIHL seems to be a breeding ground for bitching and finger pointing. And of course we run the league so blah blah blah.

Mark: Yes the reaction from fans around the rest of the EIHL was completely over the top, some of the so called "banter" was more like inciting hatred and with venom. Because we're the Steelers, we're like the Manchester United of the EIHL, victims of being a successful hockey club. Would it have been like this if it been anyone else but us? Probably not. Too many keyboard warriors who can't resist themselves in having a pop and don't like it when you bite back. Let them have their day, we'll bounce back better from this.

Sarah: I still feel if it had been any other team then it wouldn’t have been such a big thing. I got laughed at during the week for tweeting that but I stick by my opinion. Attempted murder and assault, I’ve never heard anything so stupid. I totally agree that Fretter shouldn’t have reacted the way he did but it’s always been said that if the refs don’t do their job then the players are going to take care of it themselves and that’s exactly what had happened. The petition that has been going around, I don’t understand why it has to include Fretter in it, everyone knows there’s issues with the refs and DOPS so why has it taken this for people to go into meltdown and sign petitions? Because it’s the Steelers!

4. Would you like the retro logo on all shirts going forward?

Tony: The latter image is our identity now, and the Cogman part of our history. Let's respect it and use it occasionally but let's look forward not backwards. 

Nathan: Yes I would but it's a moot point unless the overall jersey design is half decent and not designed by a 4 year old wearing a blindfold.

Mark: Of course I would, retro is the new future everywhere. Maybe have a retro section of merchandise, it would be a good income stream to be explored and yet untapped at the moment.

Sarah: Yes! I love the retro logo!

Fay: Yes I love the retro look. Also love the block colour no sponsors but understand this isn’t possible due to the money issue.

5. Is there anything else from the Steelers past you would like to see re-introduced?

Nathan: Teal & Moose's record breaking shut out season.

Mark: A bit of teal wouldn't go amiss, and Sandstorm brought back to life in the pre-game introduction segment.

Sarah: It hasn’t changed much since I started following the Steelers but whatever is going to make the club/experience better than I welcome it.

Fay: Hmm, always loved the teal jersey we had but that’s been replaced by the blue which I also love. 

Tony: The remote control airship that advertised Cranny's solicitors was pretty cool - as was Elvis leaving the building!

6. How good is Kieran Brown already?

Mark: He certainly doesn't hold back does he? An amazing talent that seems to have all the tools about him, and is a headache for much more experienced opponents. Give him the right development and ice time, we have a future star here who could play in much higher leagues. Just don't waste him, and let someone else get the credit for what we have invested in..and that's something we have done before. Examples of that being the Meerkat and Matt Haywood!

Sarah: Kieran is fearless! He’s certainly not afraid of the big boys which I love about him. Give the boys ice time and they will show us what they are about. 

Tony: We've seen some glimpses but needs time to develop rather than rushing in my opinion. Would be awesome if he, or Kirky, could end up playing in bigger leagues than ours.

Fay: A great talent. Can’t wait to see what else he can provide!

Nathan: He is very good already and with the right coaching and guidance can only get better. Both he and Kirk. 

And that's this week's soapbox for you..

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