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 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 24

Well are we all happier than we were this time last week? Down in the dumps after being humbled twice on home ice against the Giants, we've bounced back this week with our own four point weekend. Time to cast my aspersions (that's my word of the week) on this and a few other things too..

One thing that has been remarkable over the last few weeks, even despite the bad results last weekend, is the form of a certain #67. Mr Fretter has been imperious, scoring some highlight reel goals that one can only stand up and applaud. He's probably playing at the top of his game, if he isn't then what other delights does he have ready for us, and when you have a player playing this damn good then it becomes a joy to watch. I've seen some players with dazzling skills, and Colton is certainly showing this. It's as if he has come back for a third year with a point to prove to himself after an injury hit campaign last year.

Would be it too cheeky to ask him to come back for a fourth season? Over to you Thommo on that one.

We've also now recruited Jesse Schultz's replacement. Welcome to Sheffield Geoff Walker! The guy is a scorer, so was Schultz before he got injured and tailed off sadly, but he's also a bit of a team player too. 32 assists to go with 20 goals in just 32 games for HC Fassa this season! That's a bit good isn't it?  He's got size too which will be useful and has dropped the mitts a few times in his career too. He looks therefore a proper all-round player, and one that could prove a masterstroke of a deal. Thanks for liking the tweet about your arrival too Geoff, top gadgey as Caps Banter Army would say.

As it stands, we look like we are going to be facing the Bears in the play-off quarter finals. Talk about a huge humdinger of a clash! If it happens, one of the two heavyweights will miss out on the final four showdown games on 8th and 9th of April. That's just like mind blowing isn't it? To avoid this, we need to somehow clamber into second (we're seven adrift of the Giants) or Fife overtake the Bears (one point between them after tonight but Bears have a game in hand). Regardless if we get there or not, I'll be in Nottingham for the weekend and yes Kirsty (my wee Cardiff Devil) I still remember the bet we've concocted between us. I'll never learn....

I'll close these thoughts with a HUGE thank you! As you know, Alan and myself relaunched the podcast this year with a new platform on Soundcloud and also getting it added on iTunes. As of yesterday, we're almost at 2,000 listens over the 25 episodes we've recorded this season which is an amazing feat that has astounded both of us. We're getting views all over the place, we've even had listens recorded from the US. Hopefully we can continue to grow and make even it better. The link to the podcast is at the bottom of the article, and the podcast has it's own Twitter contact on @BTI_Podcast so get it followed if you haven't done so already.  

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

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Lights Out but Goal Lamps on - Five things I learnt this week

I thought I’d power through this week’s five things before outside influences knock out the lights on me – there’s never a dull week in UK hockey is there!

1. POFW ticket pricing – The EIHL have just confirmed £89 for the week-end (plus booking fees and administration costs no doubt), which is about £30 a ticket for the three worthwhile games. It’s a cash-cow for the league, but another fleecing for the fans. Compare and Contrast: How about supporting TeamGB and seeing 3 games a day for 5 days at the IIHF Div 1B championships in Belfast in April  - the whole 15 games for £60; or four games of NCAA NHL future stars going full pelt for £40 at the Belpot tournament next November? POFW Pfft.
2. Barn-burner or bungle-fest – Cracking going forward, as six goals in a game can’t be sniffed at, but letting in five is so out of character for our team that you wonder what went wrong. Coventry have been racking up some impressive wins against Cardiff and Belfast recently, so maybe they were due to breakout with five, but I imagine Thommo will make the players play tighter at the back tonight and make the Defence play Defence.
3. Outside Influences - £Kerching for the Elite League as surely they get to fine Danny Stewart after his interview for bringing the game into disrepute. I love the brass of the man as he claims the Blaze were told the warm-up would start at 8pm, whilst in reality he was stood near to Simmsey as the Arena announcement was made to the crowd stating that face-off would be at eight after 5 minutes of warm-up. Too many knocks to the head impacting his hearing maybe? Also a little ironic that one of the first calls of the night was against Ash Tait for a delay of game!
4. Nelson v Almedia versus Fournier v Foster – After seeing the Levi hit right in front of our block, I’m cool with the 5 + Match call – I understand it could have been more lenient but an injury did seem to have been caused, so fair enough as it was a poor play from our man. However at almost the same time Fournier was steamrollering Foster down in Cardiff, and skated away without a penalty being called. If DOPs really is for player safety then both need to be looked at, and equality restored, but as the Fournier hit won’t be automatically reviewed will Belfast pay for the appeal and potentially weaken the Devils just as the Steelers roll into the bay? That’s a decision that should be made by the chairman and league rather than teams involved imo!
5. Phoenix back in the ashes again – One final (?) classy move from Neil Morris as he releases a press statement whilst his team were playing saying he can’t keep funding them. I wonder if things could have been different had he not jumped in bed with Scholes and had his hissy fit at the 2015 playoffs. It’s probably been coming for a while now, and hopefully the EPL can find a more stable solution to keep the Phoenix together, but with the Bees lack of funding, and the Lightning moving on, there’s lots to worry about in that league right now. 

On final thing to leave you with is the return of the SSSC away busses! After a bizarre change of mind, we’re left as we were, leaving only another embarrassing PR mess behind – typical Steelers!

Cheers,

Tony.

29.3.15 - Playoff Quarter-Final Talk Show

Quarter-Final 2nd Leg at the Motorpoint Arena, Steelers v Flyers, Tom, Alan and Mark spoke about it.

listen to ‘29.3.15 Playoff Quarter Final Steelers vs Flyers Pregame’ on audioBoom

listen to ‘29.3.15 Playoff Quarter Final Steelers vs Flyers End of First’ on audioBoom

listen to ‘29.3.15 Playoff Quarter Final Steelers vs Flyers End of Second’ on audioBoom

listen to ‘29.3.15 Playoff Quarter Final Steelers vs Flyers End of Game’ on audioBoom

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Match Report: 29.3.2015 - Steelers v Flyers PLAYOFFS

Sunday 29^th March 2015 – Sheffield Steelers (1-0) v Fife Flyers (0-1) @ Motorpoint Arena. Face-off: 5pm, EIHL Playoff Quarter-Final 2^nd Leg

Sheffield Steelers – 3 (6)

Mathieu Roy - 1st

Robert Dowd (2) - 1st, 2nd

Fife Flyers – 3 (5)
Stephen Gunn - 2nd

Jordan Fulton - 3rd

Danny Stewart - 3rd

Second leg of the playoff quarter-final and Steelers started fast at 1:18 Mathieu Roy fired a brilliant shot from the point and the puck went straight through Regan for 1-0 lead.  Sheffield made it 2-0 at 14:32 when Mosienko won a faceoff to Regan’s left and straight off the draw Dowd fired a one timer past Regan for his second of the playoffs and suddenly Fife had a mountain to climb. Sheffield had a chance to score a third when they broke 3v1 but Regan managed to deny the home side and Steelers went into the break 2-0 up on the night.

End of the 1st Period: Sheffield Steelers (5) 2–0 (2) Fife Flyers

Shots on Goal: Steelers 10-7 Flyers

Into the second period and it was a really turning into a good series as there was end to end hockey with lots of physicality and both teams really wanted to make it to Nottingham. Sheffield made it 3-0 at 32:20 when Robert Dowd was picked out in between the circles and fired a nicely taken snap shot past Regan. The visitors broke the shut-out bid at 36:37 when it looked like Stephen Gunn in front of Unice managed to get a tip on the puck to make it 3-1 to the home side and that’s how it stayed going into the break.
End of the 2nd Period: Sheffield Steelers (6) 3–1 (3) Fife Flyers

Shots on Goal: Steelers 12–9 Flyers

Fife really made a game of it in the third period scoring their second of the night at 48:40 when Flyers broke down the left and the shot looked like it deflected off a skate and past Unice, didn’t look deliberate so a good goal and Jordan Fulton was credited with the goal to make it 3-2. Almost straight away Chris Auger hit a one timer out of mid-air against the post and Sheffield was really shaken. At 54:55 Flyers levelled the game and straight off the draw Danny Stewart dragged the puck onto the blue line and then shot through traffic beating Unice and we had a 3-3 game but Fife were still down a goal on aggregate. Sheffield managed to hold on winning the tie 6-5 on aggregate and booking a place in the playoff finals weekend in Nottingham but credit has to go to the Fife Flyers who didn’t give up but unfortunately someone has to get knocked out.
Shots on Goal: Steelers 9–16 Flyers

FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steelers (6) 3–3 (5) Fife Flyers

Boxscore (1st-2nd-3rd-OT-[PIM]-{PP}-S)

Sheffield - 2-1-0-0-[6]-{0/3}-31

Fife          - 0-1-2-0-[22]-{0/0}-32

Sheffield Man of the Match: #75 Robert Dowd

Fife Man of the Match: #39 Danny Stewart

Sheffield Points Round Up: - 7 Points

Michael Forney (0+1), Mathieu Roy (1+0), Jonathan Phillips (0+1), Tyler Mosienko (0+1), Dustin Kohn (0+1), Robert Dowd (2+0)

Fife Points Round Up: - 6 Points

Thomas Muir (0+1), Stephen Gunn (1+0), Jordan Fulton (1+0), Danny Stewart (1+1), Chris Auger (0+1)

Referee: #19 Rab Cowan

Referee: #16 Toby Craig

Linesman: #30 Luke Palmer

Linesman: #22 Paul Staniforth

I'm also playing in the UK Forum All-Stars 2015 in Sheffield representing the Blue Cross for a second year in a row and any donations big or small will be appreciated and you can donate by pressing the button to the right.

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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Match Report: 28.3.2015 - Flyers v Steelers PLAYOFFS

Saturday 28^th March 2015 – Fife Flyers (0-0) v Sheffield Steelers (0-0) @ Fife Ice Arena. Face-off: 7:15pm, EIHL Playoff Quarter-Final 1^st Leg

Fife Flyers – 2

Jamie Milam - 2^nd

Ned Lukacevic - 3^rd

Sheffield Steelers – 3
Michael Forney - 2^nd

Colton Fretter - 2^nd

Robert Dowd - 3^rd

Steelers travelled up to Kirkcaldy for their quarter-final 1^st leg and really had to weather the storm in the 1^st period as the atmosphere was just so intimidating and the home side really fed of it but Unice was just outstanding all game and both teams went into the break all square.

End of the 1st Period: Fife Flyers 0–0 Sheffield Steelers

Shots on Goal: Flyers 6-2 Steelers

Fife opened the scoring at 27:03 when nice move by Jordan Fulton was finished off by Jamie Milam at the back door to make it 1-0 and there wasn’t really anything Unice could have done to prevent the goal. The lead didn’t last too long though as Steelers levelled at 28:53 when Michael Forney was inside the face-off circle to the left of Regan and he fired low beating Regan assisted by Kohn and Hay. Sheffield took the lead at 37:41 when Mathieu Roy picked up the puck in the neutral zone and skating into the Fife zone laying off Colton Fretter who fired a sweet snapshot past Regan for 2-1. Sheffield managed to hold on taking a 2-1 lead into the 2^nd intermission.
End of the 2nd Period: Fife Flyers 1–2 Sheffield Steelers

Shots on Goal: Flyers 12–10 Steelers

In the third period it was real end to end stuff with both keepers having to make exceptional saves the pick of the bunch coming from Josh Unice who managed to save down low from Fulton at the back door when the flyers man looked certain to score. Fife levelled the scores at 2-2 at 54:20 when Ned Lukacevic was picked out in between the circles finishing low from in front of Josh Unice but the home side couldn’t hold on and at 59:26 assisted by Roy and Eddy it was Robert Dowd that got the decisive touch that beat Regan and won the game for the Steelers with them taking a 1 goal lead into the 2^nd leg.
Shots on Goal: Flyers 8–8 Steelers

FINAL SCORE: Fife Flyers 2–3 Sheffield Steelers

Boxscore (1st-2nd-3rd-OT-[PIM]-{PP}-S)

Fife           - 0-1-1-0-[0]-{0/0}-26

Sheffield - 0-2-1-0-[0]-{0/0}-20

Fife Man of the Match: #60 Jamie Milam

Sheffield Man of the Match: #75 Robert Dowd

Fife Points Round Up: - 4 Points

Ned Lukacevic (1+0), Matt Reber (0+1), Jordan Fulton (0+1), Jamie Milam (1+0)

Sheffield Points Round Up: - 8 Points

Cullen Eddy (0+1), Michael Forney (1+0), Mathieu Roy (0+2), Dustin Kohn (0+1), Colton Fretter (1+0), Darrell Hay (0+1), Robert Dowd (1+0)

Referee: #9 Tom Darnell

Referee: #16 Toby Craig

Linesman: #31 Ally Flockhart

Linesman: #25 Andy Dalton

I'm also playing in the UK Forum All-Stars 2015 in Sheffield representing the Blue Cross for a second year in a row and any donations big or small will be appreciated and you can donate by pressing the button to the right.

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Weekend Preview - Flyers (h) Flyers (a) (PLAYOFFS)

EIHL Playoff Quarter-Finals it is then and then EIHL Champions travel to Fife on Saturday before coming back to Sheffield for the return leg on Sunday Evening.

Sheffield will be without Goaltenders Frank Doyle and Geoff Woolhouse, Doyle’s season and most probably his career is 100% over as for Geoff there hasn’t been an update on him but I expect him to sit out for the rest of the season but he may yet backup Unice. Tomas Petruska I believe had an operation the day of the final regular season game hence why he wasn’t at the arena during the Championship celebrations. Gord Baldwin who has missed the last month through concussion that he picked up at Hull is one I’m not sure on as again there hasn’t been an update on him so he may feature in the playoffs I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Luke Ferrara who played the Steelers last two games I expect him to be with Peterborough especially with their playoff games this weekend but everyone else is available for the Steelers.

Fife are near enough full strength for the quarter-final only missing Kyle Horne through an upper body injury but they have already been without Horne for around a month.

There is a webcast from both games this weekend for the game in Fife go to http://www.247.tv/eihl/ and for the game in Sheffield go to https://sheffieldsteelers.tv/ both cost £8 I believe and it’s a game you don’t want to be missing. If you have plans and you’re out both Tom and Alan will be in Fife on Saturday as well as at the Arena on Sunday so follow them both @TomWalkeden and @FrozenSteelMNL for your play by play updates.

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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What a weekend...PART TWO!

Welcome to the second part of "What A Weekend!"; the final weekend of the Steelers regular season as seen through my own eyes. The team had just won in the National Ice Centre, home of the Nottingham Panthers, on an emotional night. Could they finish the job in front of their own fans or would Cardiff spoil the party just like they had done just 13 days earlier in the Challenge Cup Final? Stay tuned in...

After the game Friday, it was time to unwind in the Lace City and despite the vocal chords being strained beyond belief, nothing was going to stop me. A couple of beers in Bunkers Hill were downed before heading off to the Pit and Pendulum just around the corner from the hotel. This pub reminds me of the Dove and Rainbow back here in Sheffield, similar ambience and playing the music I can often be found blasting through headphones. I would have gone to Rock City but when I saw they had a chart and dance night on; the P and P proved to be an inspired alternative. We got back to the hotel at almost 2:00am and nodded off by 3.

The good thing about the Ibis was that we could check out as late as noon which was excellent as it allowed us to have a lie-in and recover from Friday's exertions, The voice had almost returned back to normal, and so after a stroll around the superbly organised Continental Market in Market Square where I purchased some kangaroo burgers (seriously I did, just ask Alan), we headed back to South Yorkshire. There was a league title to be won for the first time since 2011 if we didn't freeze, so to speak, on the occasion.

Arriving back at the Arena at just before 6, I was astounded to hear some of my fellow Steelers fans saying how nervous they were before the game. Crikey, if they were nervous, how must have the actual players and Gerad have been - you could easily multiply that ten-fold. To me, it was just another game or as I kept reminding myself exactly that. I was trying to remain as cool as I could on the exterior with little emotion showing. I must have been one of the most calmest people in the House of Steel before the puck dropped at 19:06 hours from the hand of Reading based stripey Tom Darnell - whom I still maintain is the best official we have in the league, way ahead of Mr Hicks...

Cardiff knew they couldn't leave Sheffield without a win, and it was they who opened the scoring just after the ten and a half minute mark. Carl Hudson was the man who lit the lamp with a strike that caught Steelers on the hop after what appeared a bad line change. At the other end Ben Bowns was having one of those nights as he seemed equal to everything that we could throw at him: just like the Challenge Cup Final all over again. Josh Unice was proving equally good, bar the goal, and we finished the first twenty trailing by that solitary goal.

Steelers ramped up the intensity in the second and after banging on the proverbial door many times, it was my Mam and Samantha Dale's favourite who broke Bowns' resistance with a nicely executed leveller at 27:19. The irrepressible Mosienko and Phillips with the helpers. It was also the cue for the teddy bears to hit the ice and the delay affected us. The momentum swung back Devils' way and we had to be thankful for a combination of dogged defending and some solid saves from Unice to ensure we didn't go into the third period behind. The end of the second period hooter came as a massive relief.

Naturally the third period was a cautious one, with only nine shots registered in total by both sides as each looked for that all important breakthrough. My voice was waning again as the game progressed, and it took a modern day legend to break the tie. Former Devil (and Cardiff born) Phil Hill picked up the puck in the left circle after Bowns had saved from Jeff Legue, threw it across ice where that same number 12 had escaped the attentions of Tyson Marsh and he rammed in his 232nd EIHL Steelers goal into the gaping goal with Bowns stranded. The noise level went up another notch.

What followed was periods of pressure from Cardiff, but the Steelers were in no mood to let this slip. Defending like trojans and limiting the Devils to the outside, basic smart hockey when you are in front. Legue had scored with just over 14 minutes left so it was a long time to hold onto such a slender advantage against a team who have pretty good offence as much as you. But Adams' plan was executed to perfection and at 21:21 (the number 21 being so significant in many respects), time ran out on Cardiff and we celebrated. After 72 emotional hours, the Monteith Bowl returned back to Sheffield. It had been done "For Amy" and she could look down on us all and celebrate in heaven. Champions League hockey was coming its way to Sheffield. 

The following night, Cardiff went out and beat a Nottingham team (who simply had nothing to play for in the league, Steelers win against the Devils had given Corey Neilson's team the Erhardt Conference title) 6-2 but even that was only good enough for third. Braehead secured second and the second Champions League spot thanks to former Steeler Stefan Meyer's game winner in Fife to triumph 3-2 (they had beaten Hull 9-4 on Saturday night). And that was that!

So we now head into the two legged quarter final play-offs this weekend. Steelers entertain Fife, Braehead have Hull, Nottingham are paired with Coventry and Cardiff get Belfast. Form should see both Steelers and Clan progress (although upsets can happen as Steelers know to their cost in both 2012 and 2013) whilst the other two could go either way. Panthers face a tough couple of games against massively improved Blaze; the team I personally wanted to avoid; whilst Devils face a Giants side that have failed to deliver this season and will be keen to put some kind of smiles on the faces of the Teal Army. The match ups will determine who will get invites to the Final Four party the following weekend at the NIC. I ain't making any predictions though.


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Steelers Win The Playoffs: A Pictorial Review

We asked for your views of the weekend. You sent them. Credit given at the bottom.

Roland Hurt: Big G Brings Home The Playoffs

Occasional writer Roland Hurt returns with a celebration of the victory in this year's Playoffs.

Has Anybody Come Back Down To Earth Yet?

listen to ‘LISTEN to all the goals: Sheffield Steelers 3-2 Belfast Giants - @SteelersHockey #EHIL’ on Audioboo

Go on. Take it all in again. We bloody did it.

Frozen Steel Storytime: The Elite League 2014 Playoffs

Its playoff time. The time of year when dreams come true and miracles happen. Well, so the NHL tells us.

However, there's several interesting subplots and narratives running about this weekend, and I'll do my best to put them in a neat and tidy order.

Are we sitting comfortably?

Playoff 1/4 2nd Leg - Steelers v Blaze: (PO) Match Report

Tuesday 1st April 2013 - Sheffield Steelers (1-0-0) v Coventry Blaze (0-1-0) @ Motorpoint Arena. Face off: 7.30pm

The final quarter final tie of the season, Sheffield have a one goal advantage! But can they hold on and make it to the final four in Nottingham.

Frank Doyle was in goal for the biggest game of the season for the Steelers and his opposite number Mike Zacharias was hoping to help his team overcome the first leg deficit. Tom Darnell got the game underway and the playoff hockey began. The game started in proper playoff fashion and it was the captain Steven Goertzen that led by example with a massive opening hit on Nejc Berlisk as Doyle had to catch the first shot of the game, It was an extremely gritty start with both teams playing a very physical game out on the Ice. Sheffield were trying to play from the back as Drew Fata would go from coast to coast but wouldn't be able to stay onside, the shots would start to fly in as first Doyle saved a shot from Egener from the blue before Dowd saw his back hand saved before almost tipping in a Stefan Meyer pass. The physicality of the game would continue as Lacroix was wiped out by Cale Tanaka in an end to end period and then on 08:24 assisted by Meyer and DiCasmirro, Dustin Kohn found himself all alone to the left of goal with a great snapshot that beat Zacharias to give Sheffield a one goal lead on the night. Sheffield wouldn't stop there though as Goertzen tried the wrap around on Zacharias but saw his shot saved, Ashley Tait then missed a great chance for Coventry as he tipped just over the goal before Goertzen played a great pass on to Lacroix's stick but he shot was saved by Zacharias from just in front. Coventry were trying to put the pressure on as Henrich missed a golden opportunity to level the game with the goal gaping before Ginand tried a neat turn only to end up involved in a tussle in front of Doyle's goal as the Sheffield goaltender covered up the puck.
End of the 1st Period: Sheffield Steelers (4) 1-0 (2) Coventry Blaze
Shots on Goal: Steelers 7-3 Blaze

Second period got underway with Sheffield having a two goal advantage but Doyle had to stand big performing a blocker save from Berlisk that was followed by some fantastic stick handling by DiCasmirro who chipped the puck over a Coventry D man but saw his follow up shot saved by Zacharias. The first penalties would finally being called as we would see two lots of 4 on 4 hockey but both Doyle and Zacharias made some great saves before Jonathan Phillips had everyone of their seats had they had thought he had scored after a great pass by Spencer but Phillips just shot wide and that was followed by a Coventry time out as the Blaze were being completely outplayed but on 30:51 Gord Baldwin fired a great shot from the blue line through traffic that was tipped in by Dowd to send the Motorpoint crazy and just a couple of minutes later Tanaka was penalised two minutes for elbows and it didn't take Sheffield long to make the power play when on 34:25 DiCasmirro played to Dowd after a cheeky spin and Dowd had the easy work to score into the empty net and just under a minute later Maxime Lacroix caught a puck and fired his trademark slap shot past Zacharias followed by a fist pump in the air for a 4-0 Sheffield lead with a quiet a large aggregate lead. Zacharias was soon up to the heroics again as he denied a Stefan Meyer wrap around, Coventry would then go on the power play as Goertzen took a slap shot to the skate from Michael Devin before Frank Doyle was saving a Ginand shot from the point followed by a frustrated Tanaka seeing his goal bound shot saved by Doyle and would see the man advantage run out.
End of the 2nd Period: Sheffield Steelers (7) 4-0 (2) Coventry Blaze
Shots on Goal: Steelers 18-6 Blaze

Coventry came into the third period with a give goal deficit to try and overcome and started it in the right fashion very early on 41:52 as Coventry scored as Ross Venus fired a slap shot and very nicely slotted it under Doyle assisted by Ryan Ginand but that would be all that the Blaze would have to shout about as Sheffield would take control and would have several goal scoring opportunities go begging as Lacroix was denied on two occasions and the traditional playoff hockey came back up as Drew Fata landed a massive hit on Tanaka which seemed to displease the Blaze forward. Ginand would then go onto miss an open goal but at the other end Lacroix saw his shot rebound back out to him but could only shoot over the open goal. On 54:09 Duston Kohn assisted by DiCasmirro and Dowd shot into the open goal after some neat passing work to score Sheffield's second power play goal of the game and Kohn's second goal of the game and at that point the fans knew they was going to Nottingham at the weekend. Doyle was called upon one final time as he had to cover up a Wilson shot in a period that had seen a lot of neutral zone hockey but their was still time for one final goal on 57:14 Danny Meyers received the puck on the blue line near the Blaze bench and fired a fierce slap shot past Zacharias to make it 6-1 to the Steelers and send the Motorpoint Arena into raptures. The clock would run down and bring a fantastic night to and end for the Steelers

Shots on Goal: Steelers 11-11 Blaze

FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steelers (9) 6-1 (3) Coventry Blaze

Boxscore (1st-2nd-3rd-OT-[PIM]-{PP}-S)
Sheffield  - 1-3-2-0-[6]-{2/2}-36
Coventry - 0-0-1-0-[8]-{0/1}-20

Sheffield Man of the Match: #13 Nate DiCasmirro
Coventry Man of the Match: #21 Ashley Tait

Referee: #9 Tom Darnell
Referee:
Linesman: #14 James Kavanagh
Linesman: #31 Ally Flockhart

After two years away from the playoff finals weekend the Steelers finally make it back with a 9-3 aggregate win against the Coventry Blaze which certainly gets revenge after last season and Sheffield will take on the Braehead Clan on Saturday evening in the semi-final match. See You In Nottingham Guys!!

Thanks for reading guys. Any questions or comments please get in contact with the Frozen Steel Team on this article or via Twitter:-
@IAmMcCausland
@TomWalkeden
@AwkwardGinge
@MartynDRoyce
@FrozenSteelBlog

Check out the Frozen Steel Forum

or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Keep Supporting The Boys!!

Let's Go Steelers!

Tom
@TomWalkeden
(Follow me on Twitter for Live Updates on Games)

The View From On High - Blaze (h) (1/4/14, POQF)

Come On Baby, Let The Good Times Roll...

That's what it felt like last night. Nerves until the first goal, then we had a party.

Let's look back at it.

Playoff 1/4 1st Leg - Blaze v Steelers: (PO) Game Recap

Saturday 29th March 2013 - Coventry Blaze (0-0-0) v Sheffield Steelers (0-0-0) @ SkyDome Arena. Face off: 7pm

So its that time of the year, playoff hockey where form means nothing going into these games! Blaze v Steelers 1st leg with Sheffield looking for revenge after Coventry knocked them out 12 months prior!!

Mike Zacharias was in goal for the Blaze and Frank Doyle was in goal for the Steelers and unfortunately Mike Hicks was ref. The game started in natural playoff fashion very fast paced and despite the early penalty to Robert Dowd the Steelers wouldn't be able to kill the penalty when on 9:28 Russel Cowley would score a power play assisted by Ryan Ginand and Cale Tanaka which according to report the goal did come against the run of play. There would be further power play for either teams in the 1st but both goaltenders would stand up tall and keep them out. Towards the end of the 1st period though Sheffield forward Jeff Legue suffered a horrible injury after being cross checked in the back and as he hit the ice he was hit in the face by a slap shot fired by Chris Blight, Legue was assisted by both teams medical staff before going to Coventry hospital in which we later found out he had a broken jaw. Into the last minute of the 1st though and a man down on 19:22 the British bulldog Jason Hewitt came up with a massive goal to level the scores assisted by Chad Langlais and Chris Blight and the teams did go in at the end of the 1st level at 1-1.
End of the 1st Period: Coventry Blaze 1-1 Sheffield Steelers
Shots on Goal: Blaze 9-25 Steelers

Second got underway with Sheffield looking the more likely to score next with them massively out shooting the Coventry Blaze. Blaze would get an early power play in the second as Drew Fata was called for tripping but Sheffield would successfully kill it with Frank Doyle making several great saves and then 25:14 Maxime Lacroix stepped up to the plate and score a goal that no one is entirely sure how it went in assisted by Dustin Kohn and Steven Goertzen and that put Sheffield in the driving seat at 2-1. At the half way stage of the game Coventry would be level on 30:51 after Gerome Giudice assisted by Kelsey Wilson and Michael Devin but that would only spur on the Steelers as captain Steven Goertzen would lead by example when 32:08 Goertzen drove at the net and scoring to make it 3-2 assisted by Jonathan Phillips and Chad Langlais and Coventry would have a power play opportunity but wouldn't be able to figure out a way past Frank Doyle and Sheffield would kill the power play successfully and take a 3-2 lead in the second break.
End of the 2nd Period: Coventry Blaze 2-3 Sheffield Steelers
Shots on Goal: Blaze 10-8 Steelers

With Sheffield 3-2 up and 20 minutes left of the 1st leg Coventry was looking for a way past Frank Doyle and probably the best save of the game which saw Frank Doyle fantastically save of Henrich (one of them) but Blaze would be going up against a very good defence and goaltender, Coventry would gift Sheffield with a third power play as Giudice went for high sticking but Coventry would make it 3 for 3 on the penalty kill as Zacharias was keeping the Steelers out well on this period, Blaze would call a time out at 58:52 but wouldn't be able to level the game and will be travelling to Sheffield on Tuesday a goal down.
Shots on Goal: Blaze 10-13 Steelers

FINAL SCORE: Coventry Blaze 2-3 Sheffield Steelers

Boxscore (1st-2nd-3rd-OT-[PIM]-{PP}-S)
Coventry - 1-1-0-0-[12]-{1/3}-29
Sheffield  - 1-2-0-0-[12]-{0/3}-46

Coventry Man of the Match: #17 Russel Cowley
Sheffield Man of the Match: #18 Steven Goertzen

Referee: #27 Mike Hicks
Referee:
Linesman: #38 Danny Beresford
Linesman: #23 Lee Young

Half way through the tie! Sheffield take a 1 goal lead back to the Motorpoint Arena which promises to be a crunch match on Tuesday. Full Match Report for Tuesday's game as well.

Thanks for reading guys. Any questions or comments please get in contact with the Frozen Steel Team on this article or via Twitter:-
@IAmMcCausland
@TomWalkeden
@AwkwardGinge
@MartynDRoyce
@FrozenSteelBlog

Check out the Frozen Steel Forum

or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Keep Supporting The Boys!!

Let's Go Steelers!

Tom
@TomWalkeden
(Follow me on Twitter for Live Updates on Games)