Welcome one and all to this week's Hockey Soapbox.
On the panel this week offering their views are your Editor-In-Chief Mark, the lovably eccentric Eric, the well opinionated Nathan, Junior Member George and the delightful views from both Sarah and Fay. You want to know what's on their minds? Time to read on below...
1. Five Words On Saturday
Forgotten about after Sunday’s result
More Poor Discipline = Road Loss
A big opportunity was wasted
Should have taken our chances
Not
taking chances cost us
Huff and Puff no reward
2. Five Words On Sunday
Where Did That Come From?
Get Goulakos off penalty killing
Giant Slaying Comes To Sheffield
Where
has this team been?!
Hopefully Belfast’s league chances gone
Dominant, brilliant, satisfying, hilarious, deserved!
3. Have you ever seen a performance as good as Sunday’s?
George: No. Not in a long long time. The Giants had no excuse; and
have gotten nothing from their weekend. They had a big travelling support; and
let them down big style. The Steelers were rampant and deservedly got the two
points. Very good bounce back performance from the disappointment the day
before.
Mark: There's been a few good games at the House Of Steel as good as Sunday. The 8-1 hammering over the Panthers, a 9-4 beating of them as well. However, I'm going for the 11-0 against Cardiff when we went goal crazy in midweek, just days after they had beaten us in the Challenge Cup on home ice. Devils lost their collective marbles that night, just like Giants did on Sunday. It was a pivotal moment that helped us a long way in securing the 2015 league title.
Sarah: Well
certainly not this season. We out worked and out played them. Belfast just
didn’t know how to respond and just started acting like goons. I never expected
us to win to be honest let alone beat them like we did. We seemed a lot faster
and just wanted it more than them. It just shows how important it is to get a
good start to the game.
Eric: Well
yes I have, I think the demolition of the Panthers during the Christmas double
header a couple of seasons ago. Had a VIP suite a few friends joined us and we
completely destroyed them. Not sure but I think it was a
similar result on the score sheet. Sunday’s game, however,
against Belfast must be put into context, no doubt that was the best
performance I’ve seen from a Paul Thompson side since his reign began. They did
thrash the Giants, who, if I’m honest went 3 or 4 down quite quickly and decided
to try goon tactics, once that had been seen through by the officials it really
was game over. Belfast were poor if I’m honest. But I’m taking nothing off the
Steelers, they were awesome.
Fay: It was incredible. Came close to the playoff game against
Nottingham last year emotion wise!
Nathan: Where
has that team been all season? But Seriously* as much as we were good and
looked like scoring every time we stepped over their blue line, Belfast were
pretty much the masters of their own downfall. Poor discipline, silly penalties
and to concede 3 S/H goals is just criminal. The 2 early goals rocked them and
they never really recovered. Still, great performance by our guys and for once
I was impressed with Westerling. More next weekend please!
* is
an album by Phil Collins
4. Thoughts on Ronnberg’s return?
Mark: We needed defensive depth for sure, and have a guy who knows the systems we play and the League as well so no real adjusting to do. He's like Marmite, some like him and some don't. But the fact he wants to play for us, really must say a lot about his character and what the team means to him personally. Loved the video announcing the latest return; excellently put together.
Sarah: Will he stay or will he go? He must love the
club to come back yet again. We need another D man for sure, any help of D is
needed. I still wish he’d use his body more but he’s a stay at home D man and
we needed it.
Eric: Thought
Ronnberg’s return certainly helps the cause. Solid D man who certainly does the
basics right. He certainly improves the Steelers D. My concerns are still
there regarding his size and ability to step in when the opposition start
taking liberties. As was emphasised when Shudra took a check to the head.
Nearest player was Ronnberg. What did he do. Nothing! Nada! It was left to Jono
to step up. Now that cannot be right! And it’s that which worries me..
Fay: Pleased we have signed someone who will fit straight back
into the team.
Nathan: Pleased
to see him back as I quite liked him before he left and as much as he's not
everyone's cup of tea he ticks the boxes as far as I'm concerned. Anyone who
wants him to start throwing his weight around and fighting anything that moves
really has missed the point. Not sure about the hero's welcome but the video
was pretty good nonetheless.
George: He is the missing piece of the jigsaw. Such a skilful
defenceman. He is a big presence as well, and can deliver ridiculous hits.
Probably our second best defenceman to Matheson.
5. Which teams will miss out on the top eight?
Sarah: Edinburgh,
MK, Coventry and either Dundee or Braehead. It going to be a battle between
Dundee and Braehead for that final spot.
Eric: I
would think it will be Edinburgh and either Dundee or Flames. (Obviously Eric has not realised he needed to name four - Ed.)
Fay: MK, Coventry, Edinburgh and Braehead.
Nathan: Capitals.
Lightning. Blaze. Clan.
I
can see the Stars qualifying as they seem to be on a decent run atm. Also
Lawrence is back!
George: 9. MK - Not good enough however they have a real tough barn
to visit, however home wins won’t be enough.
10.
Braehead - Absolutely woeful. Maybe the worst team I have seen play at the Arena.
11.
Coventry - Dreadful. One of their better players is one of our ex fourth line
wingers, which just shows what sort of team they are.
12.
Edinburgh - Sad to see their team doing so badly. But they will obviously miss
out.
Mark: Like most I'm going for Edinburgh, MK, Coventry and the Clan. It was a tough decision choosing the Clan over the Stars but the latter seem to have found renewed confidence which coincides with the return of Chris Lawrence. Mind you, that's until they face us in the play-off quarter finals hehe...
6. And finally, who would you sit as the spare import when Fitzy returns?
Eric: Ah! The easy question last. Other than helping
out on the special teams, the only person that Thompson could possibly leave
out would be Wallace. Every day and twice on Sunday. All the others, The young
brits, Westerling etc are starting to come good. Wallace however, is still
really struggling in my eyes. We need everyone firing on all cylinders going
down the stretch. Wallace is simply nowhere near.
Fay: Would
rest anyone who has a knock or injury. Looks to be Fretter based on recent
interviews.
Nathan: I
have absolutely no idea. Perhaps Roy and save him for the weekend? Who
knows. Not a decision I'd want to have to make truth be told.
George: Wallace. Not good enough.
Mark: Rest who is carrying a knock but once all bodies are healed then it's a tough decision to make. Perhaps it'll be Gromit (Wallace and Gromit pun deliberately intended) as he hasn't made the massive impression that I and most expected from him after his highly rated resume.
Sarah: Whoever
is injured or needs rest! I hope Thommo doesn’t sit the same player every game
like he did with Ramsay. Fretter has got an injury anyway so that solves the
dilemma for now. I’d probably say Wallace in terms of performance but it would
be good to rest players especially with the schedule that’s coming up. Players
should have to fight for their place, if a player isn’t performing then don’t
give them the game time.
And that's this week's Soapbox for you; join us for more next time.
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