Welcome once more to this week's Hockey Soapbox.
It was a good weekend for the Steelers on the ice as they made it a four point weekend with wins against Guildford and Edinburgh. Thus we have a happy soapbox this week. On the panel this week are your Editor-In-Chief Mark, Steel Talk co-owner Jay, a welcome return to Eric, the forthright opinions of Nathan, the glamour of Sarah and Fay as well as Junior Member George. What's on their minds this week? Time to find out then...
1. Five Words On Saturday
Wish I was there
It is about bloody time
New Lines Worked Really Well
Good Win Against Decent Opposition
Much better in fact entertaining
A very good home win
I've missed home ice hockey
2. Five Words On Sunday
Shudra is definitely a forward
What a night for Shudra!
Hat Trick Hero Cole Shudra
Who said Cole equals Defenceman?
Shudra's treble Steelers run riot
Nice to see Cole's Hat-Trick
Cole scores a Hat Trick
3. Thoughts
on the first leg of the CC semi-final at Ice Sheffield, has this cost us a
possible place in the Final?
Fay: I don’t care where or when it is, as long as we win it haha.
Nathan: The only thing that will cost us a place in the
final is not scoring more goals than the opposition. Ice is ice no matter where
the venue and who the opponent so unless we turn up and do the business nothing
else matters.
Eric: The
Challenge Cup for me is always going to be a nothing competition. Yes I know!
There are those out there who will say it’s a chance of silverware. And rightly
so. But it interferes so much of the number one prize. “The League” which to
all fans is the holy grail of the EIHL and the thing all British premier league
teams want to win. It’s outdated, it’s a
joke. It need a revamp. It needs someone new to come up with a different
competition or format.
Even this year we have given
away second leg game, because of ice availability. Come on! The reality is we
are playing the number 1 club on their pad on the second leg. And the 1st leg
on our practice ice. In front of 2500 (it holds 1500 actually - Ed.). Incredible!!! Missed opportunity in my
mind. So
a) it's still the egg cup in my eyes and b) yes I believe we have lost a big
chance to get to the final. Not impossible, I grant you, but more difficult.
Mark: It's certainly made the task a lot more harder for sure, but if the lads step up and make it hard for the Devils on-ice then this will all be forgotten about. Mind you, we just don't want a repeat of the result the last time we held a CC semi-final in Ice Sheffield. A win is essential and one which gives a fighting chance for the second leg in IAW where our record isn't the best.
Sarah: Due
to ice availability it sounds like we had no choice. We can play well at Ice
Sheffield, we need at least a 3 goal lead going into IAW. Hope people attend
the game if they can to get behind the guys.
George: I don’t know as yet. We will have to wait and see. We’re not very good
in Cardiff therefore it could be a rather difficult task to get to the final. However we want revenge for last year's travesty therefore I believe we will be
fired up, our tactics have got to be perfect for the game. But we cannot be
lazy, and must play our cards right. We definitely need to win the Home leg. I think we should’ve waited for ice availability. It seems pretty tinpot we are
at Ice Sheffield.
Jay: Yes I believe it has, I can't
quite believe we are even considering playing it at Ice Sheffield... I won't be
attending.
4. Is
Mathieu Roy back to his usual self?
Nathan: Not
quite but he's on his way and is certainly firing on more cylinders than
recently. He'll never get back to the form he had in his debut season but even
so if he's going to live up to his 'King' moniker then those goals and
performances need to keep coming.
Eric: I
don’t think he’s quite there yet, but there are certain signs that he’s more
hungrier for goals than of late. Frankly and in the main due to his injury
worries taking away his abilities to focus on goal production for the need to
protect his body from further damage. Needless to say long may it continue.
Mark: I wouldn't say one hundred per cent but he's almost there. As long as he continues in the vein he is in at the moment then we will benefit as the season builds up to its finale.
Sarah: He’s
definitely got some confidence back and looks like he could score every time he
gets the puck. He seems to be moving much more freely around the ice. It’s good
to see him back on the scoresheet.
George: I always have thought Roysy is back to himself, sometimes players just
have a little dip in performances. He is only human, however I do think he has
got better recently. Such an exciting player to watch and he is an all round
good guy.
Jay: Not quite I don't think but he is getting better and more like we know he
can be, i think his talent and skill set depend heavily on his line mates and
developing an understanding with them, more so than with some of the other
forwards.
Fay: Definitely,
appears to be back fully fit.
5. There
are few rumours going round that we are set to sign Ashley Tait on an injury
cover deal whilst Dowdy is out, would you be happy with this?
Eric: Ash
Tait was a good player. But come on he’s 41, on the slide and looking to get a
coaching job or something within the British hockey scene. Hopefully Team GB
may offer him the post just vacated by Hutchins, last week. But as a replacement for
Dowd, I honestly don't think there is a guy in this country anywhere near good
enough to do that. Anyway we have Kirk, destined for NHL draft if you listen to
the rumour mill. Shudra (youngest ever Steeler to score an Elite League HT) now playing his
natural game, and showing the fans the benefit of that. Rather than the D man
the coach was looking at, to fit into the side. Thompson! He ain’t a D man.
Never was. Now you have it right. And finally Brown.
Enough talent there to offset
Dowd's injury, I believe. Just give them ice time coach.
Mark: He's got experience, bags of it and would be an extra body we could count on. He also knows the Club but offset that against the development of the youngsters then you have to err on the side of caution. If he's prepared to come and know he's not guaranteed regular ice time then I'm all for it.
Sarah: I
think any Brit signing whilst Dowd is out is a good thing. Ashley Tait has
experience and he knows the club. He’s not going to be a straight replacement
for Dowd but it is a positive if it does happen. The more bodies the better due
to the scheduling of games.
George: No, Ashley Tait is past his best.
Jay: It's an extra body and he is
British, his best days are well past him, but has temporary cover then I can't
really see much of a down side, he will definitely bring experience and a calm
head, I would have preferred to see them talk Jason Hewitt into returning to
cover myself...
Fay: Great player and knows the league so well. Unsure where he’d
fit in but any cover would be helpful.
Nathan: No.
Too old and the new guy Neiley(?) seems to have slotted in quite well so just
give Shudra and Kirk more shifts and I'm sure we'll be fine. Dowd is gonna be a
big miss though.
6. And finally this week, who
would be your first re-signing for 2018-19 if you had to make one now?
Mark: Mad Dog of course, the best new import defenceman in the league this season. A masterstroke of a signing by PT. Closely followed by Moose and Zack. The sooner we tie these key players down the better, and make the rest of the recruitment process a lot easier.
Sarah: Without
a doubt, Matheson. He has to be players player of the year. He does the little
things right. He’s 33 but I reckon he’s got a year maybe 2 more in him.
George: Mark bloody Matheson. Absolute must, he is such a skilful offensive defenceman; if he goes
we’re done for.
Jay: Zack Fitzgerald would be my
go to guy. Of course we have better players on the team and most would say
Matheson, but for me Fitzy epitomises the never say die gritty in your face
attitude we need more of at our club.. The next captain in me eyes...
Fay: Just one?! Probably Neiley but there aren’t many I’d swap to
be honest.
Nathan: Without
knowing the contractual situations of the roster it's difficult to say but Moose,
Dowd, Nelson and Fitzgerald are integral to our team but first and foremost
Matheson. By far Coach Thompson's best signing of the season and probably the best D man
I've ever seen in a Steelers jersey in my short time watching them.
Eric: Ah!
Easy question last. M & M. Matheson & Moose.
And that's this week's Soapbox for you; join us for more next time.
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