From The Editor's Chair - Edition 55

"And now the end is near, and so I face the final curtain..."

This is probably the hardest article I have ever had cause to write for Frozen Steel, and that's because it's my last one. Yes you read that right.

I've always enjoyed writing things, whether it be a fictional story or a creative article about something that I am interested in. My English GCSE assignments were always long winded efforts, if it wasn't at least eight pages long then there was something desperately amiss that's for sure. Some people like doing art to keep themselves focused and relaxed, I was always writing.

Well I first came to Frozen Steel in the close season of 2013-14, writing more and more regularly the following season. I had done pieces on hockey before, writing a column for British Ice Hockey when encouraged by now Braehead Clan General Manager Gareth Chalmers to do and had a regular piece in the then Sheffield Scimitars matchday programme as well. However, it wasn't good enough for a certain someone when the Steelers matchday magazine was looking for new contributors. I was told by this person that: "I knew nothing about hockey and that was it." - a bit galling when I've watched the sport since I was 8 and the Steelers from the very first season. Yes I remember Paul Thompson the player!

But I was undeterred and if the Club programme didn't want me, then FSB definitely did. So I started to write articles quite often. Then in August 2015 I was asked to take over the running as Editor of the Blog after Tom decided  he needed time out to focus on other things and Alan thought as I would be a natural fit for the role. I didn't need much talking around that's for sure so on August 11 2015, I became the third editor of the Blog.

During my time I have seen the evolution of popular articles such as the "Hockey Soapbox" . I've also taken part as a regular pundit on the "Match Night Talk Show" which eventually morphed to into another success story that being "Breaking The Ice": our podcast. I've written endless articles (some say too many haha) and tried to keep the blog ticking over especially in the summer when things are naturally a bit quieter.

However, I've had juggle this with a full time job and also doing freelance media for the Star newspaper writing about local amateur football. It's certainly kept me busy. Yet all good things must come to an end, and this is it. I started off this article with a line from Frank Sinatra song, and will finish it with one from the same one:

"The record shows I took the blows, and I did it my way. Yes I did my way."

Thanks everyone, that's definitely all folks.

Mark (Mad Dog)

From The Editor's Chair - Edition 54

You've had the official Elite League awards where Cardiff managed to bag everything on offer; and to be honest I felt that there were other creditable candidates who could have taken away some of the awards. Obviously you're not going to all agree with that. Therefore I've decided to host my own end of season awards in one of the last articles I've penned for Frozen Steel.

Grab the smart frock and tuxedo ladies and gentlemen, it's the FSB End Of Season Awards Show:

Netminder of the Year: The EIHL awarded this to Bownsy, is that because he was the league champions netminder? Not that Bownsy is a bad goalie, he is quite good in fact but I'm awarding this to Steelers very own Ervins Mustukovs. Top of all the stats plus nine shutouts in a season where his team underachieved. Sure he's had a few dodgy games, all goalies do, but he gets my vote. Special props to Jackson Whistle of Belfast and Andy Iles of Fife who also had decent seasons and always looked to give their side a chance to win every night.

Defenceman of the Year: Again Cardiff won this one in the EIHL awards with them awarding it to Andrew Hotham for the fourth consecutive term, and once again I'm going to disagree with them. I've decided to award my version of it to a guy who shares the same nickname as me, Mad Dog, that being Steelers' Mark Matheson. Matheson was one of those players that was consistent every night and was comfortable at both ends of the ice; doing the simple things right which some don't notice. Pushing him close in my eyes were Guildford duo Jesse Craige and Calle Ackered as well as Storm's Dallas Erdhardt who is maturing into a dependable player so much he has been called up by GB.

British Player Of Year: Another one that went Cardiff's way and to Bownsy. I'm again going to go against that myself and award it elsewhere. I've gone for actually one of Bownsy's team-mates in Mark Richardson, who has been a stalwart of the Devils blueline and deservedly got a testimonial this season. Pushing "Rico" close are Ben O'Connor of the Steelers who enjoyed one of his best goalscoring campaigns, his Steelers team-mate Davey Phillips who has become a steady performer as well as the evergreen that is Colin Shields of Belfast.

Forward Of The Year: EIHL award went to a Cardiff player in the shape of Joey Martin, but yes I'm going against it. I've decided to hand it to Mike Hammond of the Manchester Storm, and he richly deserves that. Hammond has come back from a potentially career ending knee injury and topped the points charts, scoring an impressive 32 goals and 85 points. How can you argue against that? Also in contention for me would have been his Storm team-mate Dane Byers who was signed as a "policeman" but put up some incredible numbers, Flames John Dunbar and despite his hotheaded temper Giants Sebastian Sylvestrè.

Coach Of The Year: Andrew Lord scooped that at the EIHL awards for the second season in a row, well he did do the Panthers "Grand Slam" again didn't he? But he doesn't get my vote, mine goes to a guy who two seasons ago might have been on the verge of the sack and ending a long running love affair with a club that he joined in 1998. Step forward Todd Dutiaume of Fife. He recruited a team that at one stage might have challenged for the big prize but also made the final four weekend too. He is certainly building on a legacy there in Kirkcaldy. Statue in the town next? Also a big well done to first year EIHL coaches in Adam Keefe of the Giants and Paul Dixon of Guildford for me.

Goal Of The Season: There's been a few contenders but my vote goes to John Armstrong of the Steelers for his effort against the Flames in the first leg of the play-off quarter final. Picking the puck deep inside his own defensive zone, John went coast to coast like a knife through hot butter in the Flames defenceman before driving the net and finishing with the coup de grace over Brian Stewart. Now if that had been someone like Sidney Crosby in the NHL, they would be salivating and creaming themselves. 

Finally...My All Star Teams Of The Season:

1st Team 

Mustukovs

Matheson --- Ackered

Hammond --- Dunbar --- Byers

2nd Team

Iles

Craige --- Erdhardt

Vallerand --- Moffatt --- Sylvestrè

From The Editor's Chair - Edition 53

Welcome everyone to the view "From The Editor's Chair". In this particular edition, Mark looks at each of the quarter-finals. It's time for play-off hockey everybody. 

Cardiff Devils (1) v Coventry Blaze (8): For me this is the most clear cut of the match-ups and I don't think many will disagree. Whilst the Blaze, who squeaked into the final eight because of the Clan's inadequacies, have a tendency to give the Devils a game and a bit: they lack the firepower to deny the Devils a place in the final four. Devils will ultimately be too strong and should secure their place with ease.

Key Players: Joey Martin (Devils), Jordan Pietrus (Blaze)

Manchester Storm (2) v Fife Flyers (7): Storm have had an excellent season, their first under the coaching of former Steelers and Clan Head Coach Ryan Finnerty. They have ability in all areas and can play with an edge as well beat you with skill. Fife have had an equally good season themselves but if Andy Iles is still unfit then that will make Storm's chances greater as much as Jordan Marr has been a capable enough deputy.

Key Players: Mike Hammond (Storm), Chase Schaber - should Iles be unfit to play (Flyers)

Sheffield Steelers (3) v Guildford Flames (6): Steelers go into the defence of their play-off trophy in good form indeed, having won their last four games. They will have the luxury of possibly being able to sit two imports and in Eric Neiley, have a man playing red hot. Flames have acquitted themselves well in their debut EIHL season, and if they can keep leg one close then will fancy their chances for an upset. But Steelers should do it.

Key Players: Eric Neiley (Steelers), Brian Stewart (Flames)

Nottingham Panthers (4) v Belfast Giants (5): After losing their way from December onwards, Panthers have started to perform especially when news broke that this would be Corey Neilson and David Clarke's final season apiece. And in play-off hockey they're usually pretty good too. Giants can blow hot and cold too but do have enough about them to ensure there is no fairy tale finish. This one could easily go either way, too close to call.

Key Players: Alexander Mokshantsev (Panthers), Sèbastian Sylvestre (Giants)

How do you see them unfolding?

Mark

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From The Editor's Chair: Edition 52

Welcome to another column by the Editor, this time Mark offers his own personal review of the season for each of the 12 Elite League Clubs.

Cardiff Devils: Back to back Champions! The Devils started this season slowly with CHL commitments but once they got into a groove they were unstoppable. Once more Andrew Lord had a team that typified the word team with solidity throughout. The only downside? Losing the Challenge Cup Final to Belfast on "home" ice. That defeat will rankle long into the night.

Manchester Storm: This season's surprise packet, and what an amazing first season in Cheshire it has been for Ryan Finnerty. He recruited size and skill and kept some key components from the previous roster, and it has served them well. At one stage it looked like they would tail off but they bounced back and are many people's pick to win the play-off crown in Nottingham.

Belfast Giants: It's been a season of many ups and downs for Adam Keefe and the Giants this season; with the undoubted high being the Challenge Cup Final win. They have had a number of injuries this season which have caused them to be lower than they wanted to be, but all in all it's been a season of restructuring which can only bode well for the future.

Fife Flyers: Another surprise packet yet deservedly crowned as Gardiner Conference champions. The Flyers have been the most consistent side all season north of the border; and Todd Dutiaume has to have his hat tipped for some excellent recruitment. The question now remains: can Flyers build on this or will it prove to be a one trick pony? 

Sheffield Steelers: It's been a very infuriating season for the Steelers fans as the team has blown hot and cold all season. One minute they could be brilliant, the next they could be absolutely awful. Some of the recruitment has been a bit debatable and Paul Thompson knows he has to get this right next season if the calls for his removal don't get any louder than what they are now.

Guildford Flames: It's been a very good opening season for the Surrey based side. They have impressed at home and away and in Calle Ackered seem to found a diamond of an offensive defenceman. If they can build on this and keep improving then there is no reason why they can't be challenging for honours in seasons to come.

Nottingham Panthers: Like the Steelers, it's been a season of underachievement for the Panthers. They enjoyed a very impressive start to the season and an excellent CHL campaign but from December onwards; the season went into freefall. They will miss Corey Neilson who leaves the organisation at the end of this season and also David Clarke who retires from playing at the same time. Neilson's replacement is key otherwise dark days lie in wait.

Braehead Clan: Another team that has underachieved this season. Clan spent the majority of the close season looking for a new head coach and when they finally got around to appointing one, John Tripp, they were then scrabbling around for players to fill out their roster. Clan fans aren't happy, they do deserve much better than this. This is a harsh lesson they need to learn from and ensure it doesn't happen again.

Coventry Blaze: A further season of mediocrity at the Blaze with Danny Stewart seemingly unable to improve on last season's disaster. He seems to be on the last chance saloon which could spell trouble if he doesn't arrest it soon. Fans are disgruntled with the management at the Club, things apparently coming to a head when they (the board) allegedly told season ticket holders that they would buy those ST's back as they didn't want them to attend games anymore. Something has to change there, and quickly. 

Dundee Stars: Dundee's season was thrown into chaos before a puck was dropped when after signing the majority of the roster, then head coach Marc LeFebvre left to go back to North America. Former Hull and Manchester player-coach Omar Pacha was brought in and has given the team stability without silverware yet. Pacha has recently signed a new three-year deal on Tayside so it will be interesting to see what he does with full control. A bold move forward.

Milton Keynes Lightning: It's been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde season for the second of the Elite League newcomers. One minute they have been good, the next they have struggled and struggled a lot. It's been a steep learning curve but I think they will come out of this on the right side once they have stabilised. Former NHL assistant coach Doug McKay arrives next season to replace GB coach Peter Russell who is rumoured to join the Panthers. If McKay can make a positive impact in Buckinghamshire then the sky's the limit.

Edinburgh Capitals: What can we say about the Capitals, another season of horror for those long suffering Capitals supporters. It all sounded so good when they appointed former NHL star Dmitri Khristich as their new head coach and signed a shed load of Russians/Kazakhstanis. But the dream ticket failed to materialise and the season headed into free-fall quickly. A new management structure has been announced a few days ago, but is it enough? It can't get any worse...

Hope you enjoyed this. 

Mark

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From The Editor's Chair: Edition 51

Welcome once more to another of my own personal articles. This one is a bit of fun for you all. In this one we bring you hockey penalties; Yorkshire style. Have a chuckle at them, and if you can think of better ones or others then I'd love to know.

Thanks in advance.

Actual Hockey Penalty                   Yorkshire Version

Interference                                             Getting in t' way
Slashing                                                    Tryin t' chop him in 'alf
Holding the Stick                                    Playing wi' his wood
Tripping                                                    Leggin' him oer
Butt Ending                                              Stabbin'
Charging                                                   Running int' someone
High Sticks                                               Tryin' t' chop his head off
Cross Checking                                        Hittin' him wi' stick
Roughing                                                  Spot o' handbags
Fighting                                                     Feyting
Delay Of Game                                         Takin' t' p**s
Too Many Men On Ice                           Can't Count
Goaltender Interference                        Messing wi' him who has big pads on
Checking from Behind                           Hittin' onto him
Checking to Head                                   Givin' him a headbutt
Hooking                                                    Pullin' him back
Elbowing                                                   'lbows
Boarding                                                   Pushin' him hard so it hurts
Kneeing                                                     Kneeing
Abuse Of Officials                                   Gobbin' off
Illegal Equipment                                   Tryin' to play with summat that isn't reyt
Instigator                                                  Causin' Bother
Third Man In                                           Gettin' involved with summat that don't concern thi
Spearing                                                   Pokin' him
Unsportsmanlike Conduct                   Not being nice

Over to you, let's try and make it as authentic and funny as possible.

Mark

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From The Editor's Chair: Edition 50

Welcome back to another visit to the views that come "From The Editor's Chair"; the personal views of Mark. It's a landmark edition too as this is the 50th edition of the article. Granted that the article has not been out as often as it was at the start, but I thought it would be a good idea to pen something for you. As ever the views below are not of Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey Club, it's staff and players: purely me being me.

Some of you might agree with what I am about to go on about, some won't. However, the latter doesn't concern me as I'm just speaking from my viewpoint. So here we go...

This edition will focus on the Steelers season so far, and I am going to separate it into four distinct parts for each competition. That is: the Elite League, the Continental Cup, the Challenge Cup and the Play-Offs. 

Elite League

After Cardiff had won the Elite League last season for the first time ever, and also their first domestic league title in 20 years: we had to step up and bounce back. Looking at the roster which was assembled I had quiet confidence that this was a roster that could actually be in contention for the main prize and possibly win it. It all looked bloody good on paper, but then again most things do don't they? To me, I thought the pre-season was too long in eight games in the space of four weeks. Not many NHL teams have that kind of pre-season preparation.

But what has not really helped our cause is that until recently was the horrendous inter-conference form. Up to December we had picked up just one win from the likes of playing Cardiff, Belfast and Nottingham. The fact we had garnered some many points from the cross-conference games, it was basically pinning our season up. Then after the home loss to Fife, we kinda woke up and started to put a run together with four shutouts in a row either side of Christmas. Top and bottom of it is that the league overall has been patchy/inconsistent at times and that's why we are 16 points behind the Devils going into the games against Belfast and Fife this weekend just concluded.

Conclusion: You can assume that this is why we won't be celebrating the return of the Monteith Bowl for a second successive season. If we had some form similar to that outside of our conference and also not dropped points in games we should have won, away losses at Coventry and Milton Keynes spring immediately to mind, we would be up there. It's terribly infuriating to say the least.

Continental Cup

By winning the play-offs last season, it was us who took the spot in the Continental Cup as opposed to the Belfast Giants. We entered the competition at the third round stage, which was basically the semi-final groups. The boys travelled to Rungsted, and it didn't start off too well as we were taken apart by Belarusians Yunost Minsk. But the team re-grouped and despite having a few wobbles in game two, saw off the hosts after a penalty shoot out. A winners take all game would decide the team who would make the Super Final alongside Minsk, and Steelers produced a polished performance in dig in deep and see off a physical Kurbads Riga team to progress.

The Club made a bid for the Super Final but it was in vain as Minsk were selected by the IIHF to hold it. It started off unfortunately in a familiar pattern as they were beaten comprehensively in game one. Yet in a rematch of the first game in Rungsted, Steelers pushed their hosts to the limit and took a late goal to give Minsk the points when Steelers clearly deserved something out of it. The team finished on a high though, shutting out Italians Ritten 2-0 to ensure it was their opponents who would end up bottom of the pile.

Conclusion: A decent adventure for the team who with a bit more luck, could have replicated the Panthers win in the same competition last season. To make the Super Final is no disgrace whatsoever.

Challenge Cup

The last time that the Steelers won this much maligned competition was in the final year of the ISL before it became the Elite League. Since then they have come close a few times to adding to it but always fell short. This season was no exception to the rule.

As always Steelers made it through the group stages with an impeccable record; 6 wins out of 6: seeing off the Panthers, Clan and Storm. Up next were Omar Pacha and his Dundee Stars, and Steelers continued their winning streak over the former Hull and Manchester head coach by seeing off the Taysiders 13-3 on aggregate. Standing in the way of a Final appearance were the current holders Cardiff, and it all looked rosy when Steelers took the first leg convincingly 6-2. But leg two, saw a monumental collapse...the wait continues!

Conclusion: Once more in my eyes, Steelers did the hard work but failed to finish the job off. A four goal margin should have been more than adequate to make any Final for any club but Steelers choked it. Granted their record in IAW is not great but I half expected them to at least give the Devils a much closer game there. Perhaps I'm asking too much from the team I've supported for the best part of 26 seasons. 

Play-Offs

Last season saw us win the play-offs in the most dramatic of conclusions. The excitement of it all led to me getting a nosebleed for my troubles. I looked like Zack Fitzgerald had rained endless punches on my sweet and innocent face. Levi Nelson just laughed his head off at me when I explained to him post-game that he was to blame. Well, he was.

This season sees the play-off quarter final structure change. Winning your conference means nothing when it comes to the seeding now as it's now a simple format: 1v8, 2v7, 3v6 and 4v5. As the standings lie, we would get the Fife Flyers if the season ended today. I can honestly see a number of changes in these final standings to happen by the final games of the season on 25th March. I also fully expect us to finish in 5th or 6th. Bold prediction indeed. Unless the Bears make a massive push and everyone else messes up, we should avoid them in the final eight. Semi-Finals are the same as last season's format, higher seed plays the lowest ranked seed left in and the two others in the other semi-final. Nothing new there.

Conclusion: Can we make it back-to-back play off wins? Head would like us to of course, my heart thinks otherwise. Our inconsistency could easily trip us up in the quarter-finals. We need to get back into the form which served us so damn well at the end of December and for the main part in January too. Do that, we won't be neutral fans in Nottingham on April 7-8. Just don't give me a double overtime game again or longer, I don't think I could take it. Once is more than enough haha!

Mark

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From The Editor's Chair: Edition 49

Hello everyone! It's the second edition this week of the column known as "From The Editor's Chair." In other words, Mark's personal soapbox. Sit back, grab a brew and biscuits, and digest Mark's opinions for your perusal. As this is purely a personal column, remember the disclaimer: it does not reflect any thoughts of the Sheffield Steelers - it's purely independent.

So what's is going through Mark's mind in this column? Well we're at the halfway point of the season, yeah it doesn't seem two minutes since we were playing Soderjtaile SK in the first of the eight pre-season friendlies. Which is one point I would like address now. I honestly thought eight was too many, maybe five at most but eight? Granted it gives a new look squad plenty of time to get used to each other and hopefully gel, but it was too many in my eyes. Hopefully the congested pre-season schedule will be better come 2018-19.

Now onto the team analysis, and I'm going to do them by position. Starting with the netminders, obviously...

Ervins Mustukovs is still the first choice netminder at the Club, and provides an experienced head as the last line of defence. What I've seen a lot this season on social media, is a lot of people having a pop at our number one goalie. To see "fans" of our own club calling Moose names like "Mustucrap" is not on. Opposing fans naturally make note that he gives up a lot of rebounds, what goalie doesn't, but Moose to me is one of the best goalies in the league. When he's on it, he's unbeatable. His deputy Brad Day is always dependable when called upon despite the lack of ice time. Of the British back-ups, he's probably one of the best there is.

Now onto the blue line. Two players for me stand out, and I am sure that they are the same two names that everyone else has on their respective lips. Those being Mark Matheson and Zack Fitzgerald! Mad Dog has been an inspirational pick-up, an experienced defenceman who seldom has a bad game and contributes at both ends of the ice. Zack is of course Zack, the marketing dream and dependable every night. As for the rest, Davey Phillips has been steady as has Scott Aarssen since his arrival.

Miika Franssila is developing into a good pick up whilst Ben O'Connor still frightens the life out of me when he's caught out of play but he can be a match winner on his day. Joonas Ronnberg, whilst he wasn't the uncompromising shutdown defenceman we were told, did a reasonable job for us under difficult circumstances in the end. He will be remembered for twice helping us out when we needed an extra defensive body, and that's worth its weight in gold.

Forwards now and I'll do these by line combinations, some of which aren't the exact ones. First trio to discuss are Colton Fretter, John Armstrong, Mathieu Roy. Fretter first, an experienced guy who plays with an edge which I like. He's been the victim of players taking liberties with him and that all came to a head with Goulakos, there's only so far you can push his buttons. That aside, he's a quality asset who chips in with goals and assists. I believe he will finish his playing career here. Armstrong, a player who has size and ability but sometimes goes missing in those big games. Some therefore call him a flat-track bully because of that. He was well on par to break his first season points tally but is now sidelined with "jersey finger", I'd just like a bit more consistency from him. Then there's "The King", again he's had an injury hit campaign but when he's fit and in the zone there's nobody better to get you those greasy goals. A modern day hero.

Line two, the Nelson-Valdix-Dowd one. This line has definitely been the shining one all season of the four we've rolled. Dowdy and Levi, the Bash Brothers, who hit and score whilst giving defenders the run-around. Probably the best wingers we have at the Club, and complemented so well by the silk and finesse of Valdix; who makes playing hockey look an art form at times. Third line, Wallace-Jämtin-Marquardt. Wallace, up to recently, has been many fans' disappointment. Signed with an impressive resume, he's not put the points up which we were expecting but surely this might change in the New Year. Jämtin has been steady in his work, certainly has a good work rate, a reasonable third liner. As for Marquardt, he had a slower start than others due to injury but I like him because he puts himself about, using his size. For a big guy, he certainly has a bit of skill about him too - definitely an unsung member of the team up front and I think he's a much better player with us than we saw him last year in Coventry.

Now to finish off, we'll look at the rest. Shudra and Kirk to me have been seriously under-used especially Cole whom PT thinks is a defenceman...he's not! Give him spells as a fourth line centre and you'll see how talented he is. GB play him there so why do we have to be different? Kirk is a talent waiting to seriously explode, I wouldn't hesitate playing higher if I could as the kid has serious ability. Jono, still Captain Fantastic and dependable as ever - you cannot say a bad word about the skipper. Jonas Westerling has had a few knocks, but I think we're still waiting to see the best out of him. Brady Ramsay was, and this is remember is my thought, harshly treated. When the chips were down and we needed a spark, he looked to give it. And as for Andre Deveaux, when he played he was good but he proved to be a bit of a loose cannon with his temperament - you can't afford to carry an import like that in your roster. 

Eric Neiley, we shall look forward to seeing you in action.

So there ends my thoughts so far on the roster, and it's not too controversial, so what's your verdict on them?

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

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