Blaze burn away Steelers for eight

The match report from Sunday's return in Coventry.

Inspired by a hat-trick from former Steeler Luke Ferrara, Coventry Blaze inflicted a heavy 8-2 loss on the Steelers in Sunday’s return game at the Sky Dome. Four of the eight goals came in a three and a half minute purple patch in the second period with three of them being scored in just 97 seconds. It was a sorry end to Steelers pre-season schedule and the misery was compounded when influential forward Levi Nelson left the game and to hospital with a nasty looking injury inflicted in a clash with Blaze’s Czech defenceman Vojtech Kloz.

Blaze were still missing the same four players who missed the 2-1 loss in the Arena the night before, and Steelers were still without former Blaze forward Matt Marquardt but added both Mathieu Roy and Zack Fitzgerald to their treatment room after injuries in Saturday’s encounter. Brad Day was given the start in between the pipes for Paul Thompson’s team in the only other change to the team who played in Sheffield.

The night started off badly as Ferrara had Blaze ahead after 2:11 – not the start that Steelers wanted in a building where they have had mixed fortunes over the years. That lead was doubled at 13:11 on the powerplay, Tim Wallace in the box for tripping, and Ferrara scored his second of the evening. As the period drew to a close, referee Michael Hicks was a busy man calling two men from each side for penalties in the space of 64 seconds. Needing a goal to spark themselves before the first period break, Steelers got it in the freakiest way possible. Mark Matheson had the initial effort but Brett Robinson batted the puck past his own netminder Nastiuk for 2-1.

Early in the second Nelson saw his night finished after a clash with Kloz, an incident which didn’t impress Brady Ramsay much and he dropped the gloves with the Czech import: which saw both receive five minute majors from Hicks but no action on the initial play that saw Nelson exit the game yet Ramsay also copped a roughing minor. The game plan then went sailing out of the proverbial window as Blaze lit the lamp with four unanswered goals. Ferrara scored his hat-trick goal at 30:21 and two minutes later the floodgates opened with captain Jordan Pietrus, Gaelan Patterson and Ross Venus scoring three in rapid time. Wallace reduced the arrears almost immediately but the second period ended with Blaze leading by 6-2.

That lead was extended again early in the final period. With Kieran Brown sitting out a hooking minor, Blaze got their powerplay working again and former Steeldog Edgars Bebris scored number seven. By this time too, Nastiuk had been given the rest of the night off and young Welshman Brython Preece was given the final twenty minutes of action. And when called upon, he shut the door on Thompson’s men. Yet Blaze had the final say at 57:38, Robinson this time scoring at the right end of the ice and to finish the scoring with an end of game result of Coventry Blaze 8 Sheffield Steelers 2.

With Nelson looking likely to be apparently out for a while plus Roy and Fitzgerald serious doubts, Thompson will be hoping Matt Marquardt is fit enough to feature in this weekend’s season openers whilst looking at who else he can bring in fill the gaps which have appeared in the line-up.

Some statistics from the game:

Goals: Steelers 2 Coventry 8

Powerplay: Steelers 0 from 5 (0% conversion), Coventry 2 from 3 (67% conversion)

Penalty Minutes: Steelers 17, Coventry 17

Man of the Match: Kieran Brown (Steelers), Luke Ferrara (Coventry)

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Blaze extinguished in feisty final home friendly

Match reprt from Saturday's exhibition game at the Arena against the Coventry Blaze.

Saturday night saw Steelers finish their home exhibition games with a visit from a reshaped Coventry Blaze who completely underachieved last season. It was to turn out to be a quite feisty encounter with a couple of fights, some debatable play from the visitors but the home supporters went home the happier as their team skated off with the all-important win. 

Both sides were missing bodies as the game started under the control of referee Jan Schjemkal, with Kisil and Fuller on the lines. Steelers were without Matt Marquardt still but Blaze were more depleted as they were without the services of Garrett Ladd, Ben Lake, Marc-Olivier Vallerand and Kevin Noble which meant several juniors were called up by Danny Stewart to make the numbers up. Adam Courchiane dropped back to help on the blue line as well.

Despite this Blaze fashioned the first shot on goal in the first 36 seconds, Danick Paquette being denied by Mustukovs low at the netminder’s stick side. Steelers were finding it hard to break their opponents being limited to shots from range as Blaze proceeded to frustrate the home team and a decent crowd inside the House of Steel. In one of the few times that Steelers did break through, defenceman Joonas Ronnberg showed his offensive talent when picking up a nice drop pass from Levi Nelson but Kevin Nastiuk (the replacement for Brian Stewart this season) denied the Finn his first goal as a Steeler.

There had been some indications that the game was getting chippy and physical and after one of those altercations of sorts, Zack Fitzgerald and Paquette dropped the gloves at 29:11 on the clock. Whilst neither player fell to the ice, the Steelers defenceman landed the best of the punches including one that cut the Blaze power forward open before the linesmen stepped in. Less than five minutes later, we had another fight of sorts when Davey Phillips took exception (and rightly so) to a late hit on Liam Kirk by Ross Venus which could have seen the Blaze forward ejected. Venus clung on for dear life in the bout as the Steelers #13 pounded away with some shots at close range. Yet despite Colton Fretter striking the post and the returning John Armstrong being denied by Nastiuk, Mustukovs also denied Ryan Dingle from close range, the game was still scoreless as it entered its final period.

As the final period began Steelers were reshuffled because of injuries for Fitzgerald and Mathieu Roy, but opened the scoring at 47:14. Nelson was the scorer with a very nice wraparound effort, assisted by Andreas Valdix and Cole Shudra. Just over three minutes later, the lead was doubled. Ahnelov was in the box for high-sticks, and Tim Wallace netted on the man advantage with the helpers being given to Ben O’Connor and Scott Aarssen. Blaze were still playing a physical game and Fretter was on the receiving of a couple of hits from David Clements and Dax Lauwers; the latter lucky to escape with a holding minor when he could have also been thrown out. Despite this powerplay, it was actually the Blaze who netted shorthanded thanks to Brett Robinson on a breakaway who escaped the attentions of Mark Matheson and stuffed the puck beyond Mustukovs. Nastiuk was sacrificed in the final minute but Steelers managed to hold on and secure themselves the 2-1 win but at a cost injury wise.

Some statistics from the game:

Goals: Steelers 2 Coventry 1

Shots On Goal: Steelers 36 Coventry 26

Powerplay: Steelers 1 from 4 (25% conversion), Coventry 0 from 3 (0% conversion)

Penalty Minutes: Steelers 14, Coventry 18

Man of the Match: Colton Fretter (Steelers), Kevin Nastiuk (Coventry)

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Auger brace helps Storm see off Steelers

Less than 24 hours after the delay ridden game at Sheffield Arena, Sheffield Steelers and Manchester Storm faced off again – this time in the Silver Blades Arena at Altrincham – for the second in two pre-season games: a kind of exhibition War of the Roses encounters if you want to call it that. Unlike the game in South Yorkshire, Manchester had no problems with the “increased security measures” seemingly being applied at all rinks around the country. In fact, FSB were told it was so smooth that you never noticed much difference.

Back to the game, Steelers were still without John Armstrong and Matt Marquardt which gave even more ice time to the promising talents that are Cole Shudra, Kieran Brown and Liam Kirk. Brad Day was given the starters role in between the pipes, which gave Ervins Mustukovs the night off and the Huddersfield born goalie was to play the entire game which was a smart move from Messrs. Thompson and Andersson. Manchester were still missing Shane Bakker, and defenceman Linden Springer also didn’t ice. Was this a consequence of the “slew-foot” incident involving the Canadian the night before, and Storm Head Coach Ryan Finnerty took him out of the line-up because of it? Over to Manchester for any explanations on that one.

Steelers also took the opportunity to jumble up their forward lines which was also an interesting move; but when in pre-season you can do that. A terrific opportunity for the above mentioned youngsters to continue and impress.

It was an intriguing first period with both teams having great chances and both netminders keeping the opposing team out, Day as mentioned for the Steelers and Clementè for the Storm. Zack Fitzgerald fired against the bar halfway through the period after Mike Hammond had hit the post earlier in the game; and it looked like the teams would go into the first period break goalless until Storm cranked the heat up a bit more and scored twice in the final 49 seconds of the first twenty. At 19:11, former Fife Flyer Chris Auger took advantage on a breakaway to snap the tie. 14 seconds later, it was two when a shot from the point by defenceman Dallas Ehrhardt (what a great hockey name that sounds every time you say it) found its way through and between Brad’s five hole to light the lamp again.

Steelers knew they needed a quick response at the start of the second, and they got it 1:18 in. A bullet from Ben O’Connor into the top shelf. The goal certainly gave the team a left as they continued to press Clementè’s goal and force the Storm onto the back foot, hitting the post through Mark Matheson although Storm were still hunting for a third themselves. With 33:34 played, the teams were level thanks to another O’Connor blast that simply thundered past Clementè again into the top corner. Storm weathered it and regained the lead at 35:42, good work down low by former NHLer Dane Byers set up Auger and he blasted home his second of the evening past Day.

The insurance goal came halfway through the final period when Mike Hammond unleashed a howitzer of his own at 50:16; leaving Day with no chance. Steelers continued to press with Colton Fretter hitting the bar and forcing Clementè into a series of saves which kept his team’s advantage intact. Even when Day was pulled with two minutes to go, Steelers couldn’t light the lamp again and it was the home side who skated away with a 4-2 win on home ice. Whilst the result wasn’t right, the team competed well despite the reshuffling, and once more plaudits were heading in the direction of the youngsters who again did proud when they were on the ice.

Some statistics from the game:

Goals: Steelers 2 Manchester 4

Powerplay: Steelers 0 from 3 (0% conversion), Manchester 0 from 1 (0% conversion)

Penalty Minutes: Steelers 6, Manchester 8

Man of the Match: Ben O’Connor (Steelers), Chris Auger (Manchester)

Now for some of your post-game thoughts:

Bryan Ibbotson: “From what I gather things need working on, but isn’t that what pre-season is all about? Any friendly in any sport nobody gives their all. If we went into the season without any friendlies or preparation then people could be annoyed, we got 2 more friendlies then it starts for real. We’ll be reight come the weekend of 9^th/10^th, OK maybe a player or two short due to injury but that happens and we’ll get over it.”

Tony: “Players seemed to lose interest, Brad was very average and would have wanted at least one back...Valdix still our star player. Defence went wandering, bits to put right. Seemed to mix up lines without Armstrong and Marquardt so other than the normal Dowd-Valdix-Nelson line; the others didn’t seem to click much.”

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Steelers See Off Storm in Arena opener

Last night the Steelers played their first game of the season in the House Of Steel, and with it the raising of the Play Off Champions 2017 banner. Whilst the main talking points were the poor state of the ice and the chaos of the new “security measures” which took an absolute age to resolve and meant that face off was delayed by 30 minutes; Steelers and their visitors Manchester Storm entertained an 8,000 crowd taking advantage of the special £5 ticket promotion gleefully whilst lapping up some excellent pre-entertainment from talented local singer Kyle Tomlinson.

Both teams were not at full strength. Steelers were missing both John Armstrong and Matt Marquardt which meant a complete reshuffle of the third and fourth lines; but giving increased ice time to promising talents Cole Shudra, Liam Kirk and 16-year-old Kieran Brown. Storm were missing an import of their own, centre Shane Bakker. After the ceremony, and replaying of “that” goal again from Levi Nelson which gave me a nosebleed of celebration on the day itself, it was time to play some hockey and Steelers began with the combination of Moose predictably in the net; Mark Matheson and Joonas Ronnberg on the blue line and Tim Wallace, Jonas Westerling and Mathieu Roy leading the offensive punch.

It was a cagey beginning, but it was the Storm who drew first blood at 7:50. With Nelson in the box for slashing, Matt Bissonnette was left alone at the back door (how many times did this happen last season against everyone else) and he made no mistake. The response was not far away as Steelers equalised with a powerplay goal of their own, Storm captain Jay Rosehill was sitting for holding, and after a scramble in front of Clementè – Roy stuffed home the loose puck with assists going to Colton Fretter and Wallace.

Midway through the period came the first talking point of the contest, Storm defenceman Linden Springer was given a 5 plus game penalty by referee Stefan Hogarth and called for “tripping” which later transpired on slo-mo as a slew foot and obviously the right call. Finner on the Storm bench was apoplectic with rage. This put Steelers on an extended powerplay but 43 seconds later we were playing 4 on 4 hockey as Robert Dowd sat for interference. That penalty was killed off and less than a minute after it was, Steelers were back on a 5 on 3 on powerplay as Dallas Erdhardt picked up a slashing penalty of his own. The pressure told with 96 seconds left in the period as another scramble led to the second Steelers goal of the evening, Andreas Valdix tucking away the puck and his line mates Dowd and Nelson getting the helpers on it. No further scoring ensued and an entertaining first period ended 2-1 in favour of the Steelers.

Storm were obviously not there just to make the numbers up, and were showing the traits of a typical Finnerty team – hard working with a bit of flair chucked in. It was therefore no surprise that they levelled matters at 27:38; Matt Beca slamming the puck beyond Moose. After the home team had successfully killed off a Fretter hooking penalty, they then hit the Storm with two strikes within 44 seconds of each other to lead 4-2. At 31:51 Valdix scored his second of the night with a great team goal engineered by Nelson and Ben O’Connor even though the announcement had Dowd for the second assist. Whilst everyone in orange was celebrating that, a fourth goal arrived at 32:35 and it was down to some superb play by Kirk who showed maturity beyond those tender years to put in Fretter on Clementè and the experienced Canadian scored his fifth in five pre-season games with a calm finish – new boy Brady Ramsay credited with the secondary assist on that one.  It obviously got too much for Storm’s Dane Byers who picked up an unnecessary double minor as the period drew to a close, not content with a slash on the irrepressible as ever Nelson then cross checked the Steelers #76 in front of Hogarth. The rest of the period went without further incident and Steelers went into the final period 4-2 to the good.

The third period finally got underway after ice problems in front of the Storm bench, a consequence of the fact the surface had been down for only a week and hadn’t had sufficient time to bed down before being played on never mind Steelers train on. Both teams also then took the chance to give their back up goalies some ice time, Brad Day (complete with new haircut this season) replaced Moose and Ashley Smith (son of Hull Pirates owner and former owner of the Steeldogs, Shane) took over netminding duties for the Storm from Clementè. Almost halfway through the final twenty, Steelers extended the lead to 5-2 with another powerplay strike. This time, Paul Swindlehurst was in the box for holding and Wallace found space in the left circle to snipe a shot at Smith’s blocker side; assists going to Fretter and Roy. 

However, things got a bit interesting 29 seconds later at 50:22 when Storm scored a third goal of their own, former Fife Flyer Chris Auger eventually lighting the lamp after some persistent pressure around Day’s goal. It got even more nail-biting at 52:24 when Storm reduced it to a one goal game. Wallace was sitting a hooking minor, and a well worked powerplay work eventually prised open the Steelers and Auger had his second goal in two minutes exactly. Storm continued to push and it took some resilient defending from the Steelers and saves from the ever-dependable Day to keep them out even when Smith was sacrificed for an extra skater inside the final 90 seconds. Final score: Steelers 5 Storm 4.

Some statistics from the game:

Goals: Steelers 5 Manchester 4

Shots On Goal: Steelers 37 Manchester 31

Powerplay: Steelers 3 from 6 (50% conversion), Manchester 2 from 3 (67% conversion)

Penalty Minutes: Steelers 8, Manchester 39

Man of the Match: Andreas Valdix (Steelers), Chris Auger (Manchester)

Time now for a selection of your thoughts:

Dorian Franklin: “Steelers never out of first gear. Can play a lot better but seemed to be brought down to Storm’s level compared to other friendlies.”

Glen Coldwell: “Manchester has a good team, serious potential. Steelers played better in Ice Sheffield never got out of second gear (I hope). All about getting to know each other, Brad needs more game time but I feel he won’t get it – can’t judge him on one period. Early days but that’s what these games are about.”

Deano: “Massive positive in young Browny and Kirky but equally massive negative in the arena. Showsec took it to a new level tonight.”

Nicki Blueitt: “We only need 1 line, we only need 1 line...”

Andy Roberts: “How good did the young pups look? Kirky’s vision for the goal. Dowd, Nelson, Valdix line. Westerling turning on the skills.”

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Visitors win both, but plenty of positives to take forward

A look back at the pre-season games at Ice Sheffield against top DEL side Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers.

On the third weekend of August, Steelers played their third and fourth pre-season games of the new campaign ahead. Having shared the spoils with Sodertajile the weekend previous, Paul Thompson’s men took on a much sterner task in hand because in opposition were former Steelers defenceman and captain Rob Wilson’s Nuremberg Ice Tigers or for commercial reasons; the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers. Nuremberg finished third in the DEL last season, and presented a tough set of games in the confines again of the en-suite bathroom known as Ice Sheffield.

However, whilst the end results show that the German visitors won both games, 4-2 and 4-3: the pleasing aspect was how well Steelers acquitted themselves in both games. In fact, with a bit more luck in front of goal then they could have taken one of those games and ensured a potentially split series.

Game one saw the visitors go into a 4-0 lead thanks to goals from Dupuis (no, not Pascal the Pittsburgh Penguin and Stanley Cup winner), Fox (twice) and Pohl and all this had happened before the 32-minute mark had even been reached. Steelers were on the receiving end of a numerous amount of penalties being called by referee Stefan Hogarth with Zack Fitzgerald and Davey Phillips being the two most penalised; perhaps Davey hadn’t had his Scooby snacks? Yet whenever Steelers did have a sight on goal, and they did have a fair few looks too, they found Andreas Jenike in the visiting net gobbling up everything – some of us later found he was the back-up last season. Some back up, eh?

Yet a brilliant strike from Colton Fretter, high and into the top shelf blocker side broke the shutout at 35:20 and it gave Steelers more confidence. That confidence increased with a little over 11 minutes to go when Fretter notched another and another brilliant strike top shelf – three goals in three pre-season matches for the Canadian winger. But despite giving it everything, there no further goals and the Ice Tigers took game one by 4-2. The game also saw new power forward Matt Marquardt exit before the end with a nasty looking shoulder injury: the unforgiving boards of Ice Sheffield not helping matters and the fact Marquardt left the ice immediately spoke volumes, he knew it was a bad one.

Many left Ice Sheffield Saturday far from disappointed, but reckoned we were in for a more tougher assignment 24 hour hence and probably a bit of drubbing from the well drilled and organised German outfit. Nuremberg took an early lead in game two thanks to Pfleger and that’s the way it stayed until the end of the first. Yet almost after the restart, Steelers were level with a power play goal: new Swede Jonas Westerling being first to react after a bit of pressure on the Ice Tigers net. But it didn’t last long as three minutes the experienced Steven Reinprecht put the visitors back in front and it was extended to 3-1 by Oliver Mebus at 32:06. 3-1 Ice tigers at end of two, and most would have expected the visitors to run away with it from there.

The third started and we had a couple of quick goals in the first five minutes of the period: both goals coming within 41 seconds of each other. Fretter continued his hot streak of goals to make it a one goal game at 44:03 before Dupius and Fox combined again (in fact they were so instrumental for Rob Wilson all weekend) to restore the two-goal margin at 44:44. Steelers pushed towards Niklas Treutle’s goal to get back on terms, and reduced the arrears again with 97 seconds left in the game when with the extra skater on the ice for Moose: Rob Dowd and Tim Wallace combined, and “The King of Sheffield” banged the puck home past Treutle for 4-3. But Steelers couldn’t find a fourth and the Germans held on. Whilst the results didn’t go the Steelers way, they certainly battled away against the third best side in the DEL and gave a great account of themselves even if a certain misguided fool who has nothing to do with the Club thought otherwise.

Here are some of your thoughts from the weekend.

On Saturday:

Pete Watson: “Westerling looked cleverer and nifty, Ronnberg composed and strong…Great experience, thought that the team did good overall against a top team in opposition.”

Harry Verity: “Very good performance however Fitzy kinda ruined it for me. Again, Fretter was absolutely key. All in all, I sense a promising season.”

Richard J Allen: “Kirk = God tier hockey player”

On Sunday:

Robert Newbolt: “Stand out moment was the dipsy doodle and near goal from Kieran Brown.”

Zoe Birrell: “Great starts from both Liam (Kirk) and Kieran (Brown). Strong team developing.”

Lara Page: “Youngsters all look good. Ramsay and Ronnberg look strong signings."

So that was the weekend against Nuremberg, and already a few of you are impressed with the class of 2017 especially the young talent and new boys such as Joonas Ronnberg. We’ll be doing this throughout the season so keep those post game comments coming. We’ll be back with more next time after the two games against the Storm. Until then, enjoy your hockey.

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Looking back at the opening weekend

So hockey season is officially off and running, and how much have we missed it?

Steelers opened their preparations with a couple of exhibition games against All-Svenskan side Sodertajile SK. Both games were played at Ice Sheffield due to a combination of the Arena ice not being down and also the fact that Sheffield Comic-Con was on in the main building. With all imports safely in the country, and a full week of training behind, Steelers lined up with the following line up combinations at the start:

NM: Mustukovs (backed up by Day)

Defence: Matheson – Ronnberg, Aarssen – Fitzgerald, Phillips – O’Connor

Forwards: Roy – Westerling – Wallace, Nelson – Valdix – Dowd, Marquardt – Armstrong – Fretter, Phillips – Ramsay – Kirk.

Also dressed: Shudra, Brown.

Therefore, plenty of options to choose from for Messrs. Thompson and Andersson as they embark on their second season in charge of the good ship Sheffield Steelers. Plenty of familiar faces on show and also a first glimpse for those present in the en-suite bathroom known as Ice Sheffield at the new boys recruited for the new season ahead. The fact that we call IS what we do seemed apparently pretty damn apt as well because of ice problems on Sunday night, the amount of surface water that hadn’t melted could have quite have resembled a bathroom.

However back to the games, and over the weekend the honours were shared just as I thought it would be. Steelers winning game one by 4-2, and then Soderjatile winning game two 3-1. By all accounts, two very competitive games which can only augur well for both teams’ new seasons ahead. In game one, Steelers took a first period lead when the well oiled machine that is the second line combined like they had on numerous times last campaign, Robert Dowd lighting the lamp after great set up play from his fellow Bash Brother Levi Nelson and the ever talented Andreas Valdix. However that opening period ended level when the Swedish side equalised with 2:20 left in the period.

Sodertajile would score the only goal of the second period, Thomas Valkvä Olsen scoring his and his team’s second with 5:04 played. Despite being behind, Steelers weren’t out of the contest and in the third rallied to secure a well earned and deserved win. Valdix and Dowd setting the play-off final game winning goal hero twice to level and then to put the boys ahead. The Swedes were then behind the eight ball so to speak and in the final minute with the netminder pulled, Steelers put the icing on the cake when Ben O’Connor put the biscuit into the empty net and Valdix had his fourth assist of the night.

Sunday saw a different look Sodertajile team take to the ice, or was it swimming pool for reasons quoted above? Apparently they brought a roster of 36 players with them; enough to ice two different teams and a clear example to why the Swedish model is being attempted over here. By the 40 minute mark, Sodertajile had raced into a 3-0 lead and it took a superb snipe by Colton Fretter; beating the goalie high on the blocker side; to avoid the shutout. Yet the general consensus was that both games were very good workouts for the new look team and grounds for a lot of optimism ahead. Here’s what a few of you said:

Adrian Lee: “Good to win one, not too bothered that we lost last night (Sunday) because the performance was promising for the season ahead. I would also say that the D far more solid with Matheson and Ronnberg definitely good additions.”

Craig Day: "A very useful 2 games overall with plenty of positive signs. Initial impressions I like the look of most of the new signings, especially Ronnberg. Thought Ramsay (on Saturday) and Wallace were a bit quiet; that said both Kirk and Brown were not afraid to get involved."

Sarah Stephenson: "For me the D looks improved and a lot bigger in terms of size. By the end of the second game; it was noticeable that the team only had 5 days together in terms of passing and positioning but it will gel as time passes. Personally I'm liking the look of Wallace but the real stand out moment was Marquardt's penalty killing - holding onto the puck against the boards with three opposing players around him."

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Big Match Preview - Manchester Double Header

Welcome to the first Big Match Preview of the 2016-17 season. After three Champions Hockey League games, regular season action is back on the menu.

Our opponent this weekend are the team from the other side of the Pennines:

Saturday night sees us in the Altrincham Ice Dome for an exhibition game against the Storm, but Sunday is when it really starts when the same said opponent comes to the House Of Steel in the first of eight qualifying games in the Challenge Cup. Even though Saturday is all about fine-tuning things, and coming away without any unwanted injuries - we're going to preview both games because we're that nice to you. So without further ado..

Saturday: 3 September 2016 - Manchester (Away)

Sunday: 4 September 2016 - Manchester (Home)

As mentioned above, Saturday is the final tune-up game for both sides before the season kicks in the following day. Manchester have undergone a radical recruitment splurge in the close season in all ends of the ice. Zane Kalemba has been replaced by Mike Clemente between the pipes, three new faces on the blue line and only one returnee up top. However, one thing remains constant: our good friend Mr Pacha is still player-coach so will we expect a few meltdowns?

Paul Thompson has already said that Brad Day will get the start in between the pipes on Saturday night and that's a smart move even if some might debate it isn't. Brad has won in Altrincham with us before and knows the building pretty well - no pressure on you however Brad. It gives him valuable ice time for sure, and the fans (and we expect quite a few will be making the trip over the Pennines) chance to see him in action again. Plus it gives the Moose a bit of a rest, he (Moose) should be back Sunday though.

Thommo has also said that both Cole (Shudra) and Liam (Kirk) will also feature during the Saturday game. Another smart move too. Gives both lads some good earned ice-time and a chance to show their undoubted abilities in a competitive game. I'm sure both of them will be chomping at the bit to impress Paul and the supporters. A good opportunity to see a couple of guys who are going to help represent Steelers in the future.

Manchester as said at the start, have revamped their team. Only Czech forward Patrik Valcak remains from the forwards last season. Sisca has gone to Fife, Scarsella to Dundee and Salazar back home to the States. Former NHLer Dany Heatley's brother Mark has been signed, and his DEL2 experience will be useful and Mario Valery-Trabucco (born in the hockey heartland that is Venezuela but a Canadian national) is sure to provide some offensive punch. Eric Neilson will be a more than useful power forward whilst Taylor Dickin (acquired from Edinburgh) and Darian Dziuryznski are capable of contributing well. 

In defence, we need to watch out for Italian internationalist Trevor Johnson. Although 34 now, Johnson has had a stellar career in the Italian leagues, playing 340 odd games and racking up 310 points. Most of these were helpers so we can assume Pacha will have big plans for him; especially if the Storm have a powerplay situation. Paul Swindlehurst and Paul Phillips return too and these are big plusses too for Pacha especially with the other two defenders being rookies.

So what can we expect? Both games will be feisty and typical "War of the Roses" encounters. Steelers might have held their upper hand last season, but this could change this season: particularly in the confines of Altrincham.

Players to Watch: Trevor Johnson (Manchester), Jesse Schultz (Sheffield)

Score Predictions: Steelers to win 4-2 on Saturday, 6-2 on Sunday

    

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Sheffield Steelers v Braehead Clan - Holiday Inn Cup Match Report

Pre-Season action between the Steelers and the Clan at Ice Sheffield in the Holiday Inn Cup

Saturday - Sheffield Steelers 4-0 Braehead Clan

Wearing their retro white jerseys Steelers ran out comfortable winners in their first pre-season game in preparation for the Champions Hockey League games. Tyler Plante recorded a shut-out on his debut for the Steelers and his opposite number was left out to dry at times but both netminders did have to be called upon several times to make fantastic saves.

Steelers took the lead around the mid-way stage of the first period when assisted by Mathieu Roy and Tyler Mosienko it was Colton Fretter who scored the first goal of the season when ripped a shot high past Chris Holt in between the pipes for the Clan to make it 1-0. Braehead then had a big 5 on 3 power play with their best opportunity's falling to ex NHLer Ric Jackman as he fired two big slap shots straight at Plante who held onto them comfortably. Sheffield would return to full strength and go on the man advantage themselves and Levi Nelson scored his first goal for the club assisted by Mike Duco and Robert Dowd as he fired a sweet shot over the blocker of Chris Holt to make it 2-0.

After a goalless second period Clan came into the third period trying to get back into the game and had a golden opportunity to get back into the goal but Tyler Plante made an outstanding back door leg save when a goal would have brought Braehead back into it. Steelers made it 3-0 at 49:29 when Luke Ferrara shot a back handed shot past Holt assisted by Hewitt and Moyer after the Clan goalkeeper gave up a rebound. With just under 8 minutes left in the game Roy and Coyle were in the box and Clan had a second 5 on 3 but Tyler Plante just continued to make the big saves and with four seconds left on the clock after some fantastic work by Robert Dowd it was down to Levi Nelson who dragged the puck nicely and fired a back handed effort past Holt for his second of the night and 4-0 score line for the Steelers.

It was a comfortable 4-0 win for the home side but the two sides meet again less than 24 hours later. Tyler Plante took the man of the match award for the Steelers and had to do the "Eddy" and ex Steelers Stefan Meyer received the award for Braehead.

Sunday - Sheffield Steelers 3-3 Braehead Clan (Steelers Win 7-3 on Aggregate)

Game two of the weekend, both teams un-changed in their final preparation for the Champions Hockey League that begins on Thursday. It was a goalless 1st period with the highlight being Fitzgerald dishing out the money to his former fans after being jeered by them, a real character the former Clan man that's for sure. Wasn't much to really talk about during the 1st period both Tyler Plante and Chris Holt stood up tall and made some fantastic saves.

Braehead had a lightning start to the second period scoring two in quick succession first it Braehead's Alex Leavitt who nicely tipped within a minute past Tyler Plante who has been solid for 80 minutes of hockey so far. Then not more than a minute later a poor defensive mistake by Steelers let in Stefan Meyer who didn't hesitate and slotted low past Plante. It was then old Mr Reliable Jeff Legue who stepped in to bring the Steelers within one goal as he skated down the left and sniped his shot low past the left pad of Chris Holt to break the Clans shut-out. Clan would restore their two goal lead when Scott Pitt played a nice pass to Ben Davies who slotted low past Plante and Braehead was able to take a two goal lead into the 2nd intermission.

Into the third period and again it was the battle of the goalies as they both had outstanding performances and Scott Pitt had a great chance for the Clan but his slap shot come back off the crossbar and then Bari McKenzie was called for a penalty and within 10 seconds of the power play Mathieu Roy brought the Steelers within one goal when Roy placed a nicely back handed goal past Holt as well as receiving a cross check from Aarssen for his troubles but that's what he made a living on last year. With the clock ticking down and into the final two minutes just as Tyler Plante was being pulled O'Connor fired a shot from the blue line and it was brilliantly tipped by Mike Duco to level the score at 3-3 and that's how it finished and Steelers won the Holiday Inn Cup 7-3 on Aggregate.

Chris Holt took the man of the match award for the Clan and Mike Duco was given the award for the Steelers. Next up for both teams is the CHL and it's going to be one hell of an experience and lets show Europe what we can do. Good Luck to both teams next week.

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