Big Match Preview: Belfast (Away Double Header)

Welcome one and all to the next preview of the upcoming Steelers games.

The team are in a bit of form at present, which is something we have been waiting to happen for quite a while and is welcomed by us all. Five wins in our last five games, four in regulation and one in a thriller on New Year's Day at Altrincham where we saw off the hosting Storm 6-5 after a penalty shootout.

We now turn our attentions to another double header, however both of this games are on the road and in the air as well as we make the trip across the water to face this team:

It's a team that have had our number all season this year; a stark comparison to some previous ones when we have taken their scalp home and away constantly. Steelers are yet win either in the "O" or at the House Of Steel against Adam Keefe's team. The current record in the match ups this season currently lies at played four and lost four if you're a Steelers supporter. See what I mean by saying they have had our number all season? Surely this weekend will see the boys redress the balance...

The games so far have had a bit of feistiness and part of that can be attributed to the Fretter-Goulakos incident which saw Colton get a six game ban and Goulakos, in my eyes and plenty others too, lightly with just two. Safe to say once Goulakos' name is read out on Friday evening I'm not expecting the defenceman to get a massive round of applause and cheers from the members of the Orange Army present in the Northern Irish capital. I can expect jeers a plenty.

Steelers and Belfast will be looking to win both games, a split series will do neither team any good as they chase down the again runaway leaders Cardiff - who are looking good candidates to record back-to-back league titles. Giants lie in second spot six points behind the Devils having played the same amount of games, and Steelers one place further back with a deficit of eight points but having played one more game. A four point weekend for either and the Devils slipping up in their games at Guildford and at home to the Bears respectively; would make it very interesting at the top. Steelers need to continue in their rich seam of form but it won't be easy especially if Colin Shields is about...

My predictions? Steelers to take game one 3-2 after overtime/shootout and then to win game two 4-2 to build on their foundations in the league chase and set themselves up well for the upcoming Continental Cup Super Final in Belarus which we will of course preview next week. How do you see them unfolding? Let us know...

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Big Match Preview - Belfast Away Double Header

Well this weekend sees us on the road for an absolutely huge double header weekend it has to be said. The boys, and probably a sizeable away contingent too, are in Northern Ireland as we lock horns with the Belfast Giants in the SSE Arena as it is now known. With the teams separated by just a solitary point in the league standings; this is definitely a massive weekend for players, staff and fans alike of both teams.

What Steelers have to do is quite simple, and I think it can be applied to any game against any team in the entire league too: take control of the ice early on, get the locals restless and whilst being aggressive in offence; be equally focused in defence and have the opposition playing on the periphery. Do those simple things and you will win the hockey game.

Belfast will be no different in the slightest.

Credit though to Derrick Walser we must say, the players are buying into his systems and a league position of second going into Friday evening is no more than he deserves. Belfast are one of those sides whom there is quality from front to back, they have players who can seriously damage you offensively and defensively. Then there's the former Steelers players in Mike Forney and Colin Shields always keen to put one over on us. The third line of Keefe-Lloyd-Garside is one of the best third lines going, and you can be sure as eggs are eggs: the afore mentioned first two names will be doing everything they can to rattle our cages and get into our heads. It's what they're bloody good at!

It's also a baptism of fire for our new signing and family member, Conny Strömberg. But Conny's been around a fair bit so I am sure it will not faze him in the slightest. All he wants to do is to play hockey and land himself a spot until the end of the season. In addition, Mathieu Roy returned to practice this week and what a boost that would be to have him back in the line-up if he thinks he is ready. We've certainly missed his presence in the team, although players like Levi Nelson and Robbie Dowd have really stepped it up in the time he's been absent.

So what am I expecting? Two very tough games in a nutshell.

Prediction Time: Game 1 - Steelers to win this in overtime, Giants to win Game 2 in regulation by a couple of goals.
 

Bring it on and I'll see some of you in Rockies!

 

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Have the wheels fallen off?

The question now being asked of the team after a pointless weekend in Belfast, is quite simply: Have the wheels fallen off the title challenging bus? With the team now in 4th place in the Elite League standings, thanks to a Blaze shootout win over those down the road, and with just one point in the last eight on offer - it's safe to say a few of the fan base are getting a bit concerned over the dip in form. Am I pressing my panic button yet? Read on and find out....

The Belfast Weekend: The Greenbunch's Diary

Ahead of the Belfast weekend we asked you good people to send us your travel diaries. Here's the first, direct from The Greenbunch.