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.

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SIHA Academy Preview - 28th/29th March 2015

Thank you to Phil Holden for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Phil on Twitter @PhilSlice

The pick of this weekend’s SIHA action has to be Spartans game against Sutton Sting facing off at Ice Sheffield on Saturday at 7.00pm. In what will be the final game of the regular season there’s all to play for, for both teams, with the outcome of the game set to determine who secures the final pay-off spot in Dumfries. In what are normally close, tense games the battle for the play-offs adds that little spice to a strong but friendly rivalry between the two teams but there will be no love lost come face-off time. Spartans currently occupy 4^th position in the table, one point ahead of Sutton so need to avoid defeat to make the play-offs whereas a win will only suffice for Sting. It promises to be a cracker of a game and one you don’t want to miss!

Senators, our other senior team are also in action for their final home game of the season against Coventry Blaze facing off at 12.45pm. Sens, who have only suffered one defeat since the turn of the New Year will be keen to maintain their fine form as the Laidler Play-Offs are just a round the corner. On Sunday Senators travel to Deeside, the rink where this season started with a credible & hard fought victory, the like of which would be welcomed again to finish the regular season on a high.

Following on from the Senators game Rapiers U16 D1 face Kingston Hull at 3.50pm which is prior to the Sutton vs Spartans game (Spartans are the away team for this fixture). Rapiers are currently two points clear at the top of their table with four games to play so will be out for the win, especially as a win will secure their place in the national finals. 

Greyhounds U16 D2 travel to Nottingham and will need no other incentive to record a win against our rivals from down the M1 & in doing so maintain their 100% win record for the season.

On Sunday, both our U12’s teams are in action at Ice Sheffield with Lasers taking on Bradford (2.05pm) in D1 in what is a must game win for the Sheffield team. Lasers sit 4 points in front of Bradford who have 3 games in hand so nothing other than a win will really suffice if they are to win their league. Swampfrogs in D2 face Coventry and once again, a win is a must if they are to push for the top. They currently sit 4 points behind leaders Deeside but with two games in hand on the Dragons whilst Whitley Bay are in second, two points and one game in hand on the Swampfrogs.

In another important fixture, one that takes place before our U12’s take to the ice, Lasers U12 D1 also face an important must win fixture when they entertain second placed Bradford at 12.15pm. However before our U12’s take to the ice Stormers U14 D1 will be looking to secure an important win against Bradford (12.15pm). It couldn’t be much closer with Stormers sitting on top of the table just one point in front of Bradford who have a game in hand. A win for Stormers would swing the advantage their way with just 3 games remaining after this one.

It promises to be an exciting and tense weekend for all our SIHA teams so if you are free why not pop down and support us…remember that the junior games are free admission and your support would be greatly appreciated.

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Weekend Preview - Giants (h) Devils (n)

Biggest weekend of the season so far for the Steelers as they take on the Giants at the Arena on Saturday before facing the Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup Final in a “neutral” venue at the Motorpoint arena on Sunday

No New Injury worries for the Steelers they will still be without Doyle and Woolhouse and Gord Baldwin is out after suffering a concussion at Hull, other than that everyone is available and expect it to be a massive weekend for the men in orange.

Conference and League Match. Belfast Giants are near enough full strength, Westgarth is said to be back and there has been word spreading around social media that Stephen Murphy might be back and if that is true then there is a choice between Murphy and Carsen Chubak. They have more than their quota on imports so the question is who will be sat.

Challenge Cup Final. Cardiff Devils are going to be without Jesse Mychan who has been missing for several weeks but the Devils have 13 imports on their roster so they won’t be shorthanded.

On Saturday there will be a webcast for the game with the Giants which you can order at https://sheffieldsteelers.tv/ but the Cup Final as far as I’m aware there isn’t going to be a webcast but that may change you never know and Premier Sports definitely aren’t at the game. Tom and Alan will be at both games so don’t forget to follow them @TomWalkeden and @FrozenSteelMNL for play by play updates.

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SIHA Academy Preview - 7th/8th March 2015

Thank you to Phillip Holden for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Phil on Twitter @PhilSlice

Firstly a congratulatory note to Greyhounds U12 D2 who are just one win away from winning their league after a tremendous 9-0 victory at Ice Sheffield last night over local rivals Nottingham which sees them with 11 wins from 11 this season.

Sheffield Spartans travel to Altrincham tomorrow to face Manchester Minotaurs and will be looking to build on last weekend’s victory over the Minotaurs with an improved performance to boost form as the race for the play-offs enters its final stages. The lads are fully focused to get the job done to avoid any embarrassing slip ups as they did this time last season against Telford. Spartans expect to have a strong line up although the players out through injury are not yet fully fit and won’t feature this weekend but Coach Martin White is in confident mood that they can get the job done.

Senators who recently had their promotion confirmed, then reconfirmed after a frustrating day caused by the guys at the EIHA face a tricky game in Humberside when they tackle Hull who still have a chance of securing a play-off spot. Hull have shown that on their day they are a capable team and have a decent record on home ice against Senators who will be looking to continue their fine form into the play-offs next month.

Steelhawks U18 D1 will be looking to bury last weekend’s disappointment of a last minute loss against Bradford but if they show the spirit they did to come back at Bradford from 5-1 down then Whitley Bay can expect a tough game, as difficult a place Hillhead’s is to get a result.

Scorpions U18 D2 are also on the road with a trip over to Blackburn and will be looking to continue where they left off after last weekend’s win over Solihull.

Spartans & Senators will be the featured games this coming weekend so keep an eye out for those reports and a roundup of all the SIHA action.

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SIHA Academy Preview - 28th/1st March 2015

Thank you to Phillip Holden for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Phil on Twitter @PhilSlice

It’s a massive weekend for our SIHA senior teams; both facing crucial games but centre stage must go to Senators who face Bradford Bulldogs on Sunday at Ice Sheffield, face-off 2.00pm. A victory for Sens would seal their automatic promotion to the Moralee Conference which would be a fantastic achievement in itself but to seal promotion at this stage makes it even more so.

Spartans face Manchester Minotaurs on Saturday, also at Ice Sheffield in a must win game which faces off at 4.30pm. Spartans trail Sutton Sting by 4 points and with Sutton facing two tough games it’s vital that Spartans put the points on the board from their next two games, both against Minotaurs who will be keen to break their losing run with a win against their cross Pennine rivals, even more so in Sheffield where they do seem to enjoy playing.

Both games promise to exciting and emotionally charged games for which your support will always be appreciated but none more so than this weekend as both teams look to secure vital wins.

It’s a busy day at Ice Sheffield on Saturday with Samurai U10’s getting things underway with their cross-ice games with Whitley Bay, Bradford & Billingham at 12.15pm. Then it’s the turn of Swampfrogs U12 D2 who faces Blackburn at 2.20pm before Spartans tackle Minotaurs at 4.30pm. Scorpions U18 D2 face a tricky game against Solihull at 7.20pm and will be keen to put last weekend’s disappointment behind them with a morale boosting win.

Greyhounds U16 D2 look to continue their excellent form with a tough away game against Deeside Dragons.

Sabres U14 D2 will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table when they travel to Humberside to face Kingston whilst Steelhawks U18 D1 are in action at 12.05pm when they take on Bradford before Senators look to seal promotion, also against Bradford at 2.00pm.

It promises to be an exciting weekend for our teams, hopefully a successful one too!

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Weekend Preview - Blaze (h) EC/EIHL Giants (a) EC/EIHL

Double conference weekend as Steelers take on Coventry at the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday evening before travelling to Belfast on Sunday to take on the Giants at the Odyssey Arena in two big league games.

Steelers still waiting for an update on Josh Unice after going off injured on Thursday night so Steelers could have either Doyle, Unice or Woolhouse in between the pipes. Kohn may return after missing several months through injury and other than that I expect it to be as it were for the Steelers.

Coventry should be near enough full strength, Nikiforov has missed three games due to illness so no official announcement whether he will be back in the line-up and Tendler may return to the line-up after being dropped on Wednesday Night.

Belfast Giants I believe are full strength except for Stephen Murphy so Carsen Chubak will be in goal again, I can’t be sure on anyone else as no one got back to me about the Giants availability.

Steelers have a webcast available from at https://sheffieldsteelers.tv/ and there will be updates via @TomWalkeden and @FrozenSteelMNL and then Sunday there is a webcast from Belfast at https://live.belfastgiants.com/ and I’m not sure  if we’ll have our live updates so it will be announced @FrozenSteelBlog on Sunday morning

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SIHA Academy Preview - 21st/22nd February 2015

Thank you to Phillip Holden for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Phil on Twitter @PhilSlice

Both SIHA senior teams face important games away from home this Saturday as they both continue in their pursuit of glory. An improved and somewhat credible performance from Spartans last weekend against newly crowned NIHL Moralee Champions, Blackburn Hawks. Despite the loss Spartans have reason to be optimistic against Solway Sharks, despite being short benched once again against a team they have beaten twice this season. Sharks are formidable opponents on home ice so the stage is set for a good game up in Dumfries.

Senators travel to Bradford to face the Bulldogs and nothing other than a win will suffice as they are firmly in the driving seat to claim promotion from the NIHL Laidler Conference. It’s looking very difficult for the teams below them to overtake the Senators but there are points still to be played for and they won’t be taking anything for granted but in the knowledge that a win in Bradford will see them not far away from joining Solihull & Telford in the Moralee next season.

It’s a case of on the road for the junior teams in action with Scorpions U18 D2 having to travel to Widnes to face Sheffield Steeldogs Academy?  Swampfrogs U12 D2 have the pick of the journey’s as they are on the kebab run to Solihull…both games are on Saturday.

Meanwhile on Sunday it’s two more away trips for our juniors with Rapiers U16 D1 travelling up to Whitley Bay whilst Stormers U14 D1 travel over to Humberside to face Kingston in what are two important games for the Sheffield teams as they look to keep the pressure on their rivals at the top of their respective tables.

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Weekend Preview - Panthers (a) EC/EIHL

One game weekend for the Steelers as they travel to Nottingham to take on the Panthers in the NIC, both teams are still in the title race so it’s a massive 2 pointer.

No new injuries picked up for the Steelers so fully expect it to be as we were on Wednesday but a bonus for the Steelers is that Frank Doyle and Dustin Kohn are both getting back into training and are expected to be fit to play for the 1^st leg of the semi-final or next weekend’s league games.

It will be more of the same for the Panthers than the team the Steelers faced like week. Kowalski may miss out through illness so Modig might get the nod; Cohen was suspended last Saturday but will be in the line-up for Saturday’s game at the NIC as will Bruce Graham who has missed a few games through injury.

No webcast or TV broadcast from the NIC but both Tom and Alan are going to be at the NIC so please remember to follow them both for live play by play updates of the game @TomWalkeden and @FrozenSteelMNL.

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SIHA Academy Preview - 14th/15th February 2015

Thank you to Phillip Holden for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Phil on Twitter @PhilSlice

This weekend sees plenty of action for our SIHA teams with the pick of the games probably being Sabres U14 D2 who face Nottingham at Ice Sheffield on Saturday; face off at 12.05pm. Sabres are one of three teams on 12 points at the top of their table; one of them being Nottingham who have played 3 games more than Sabres so a win is vital for both teams. Sabres have a good, honest bunch of kids and will be determined to maintain their 100% win record, especially at the expense of their local rivals.

Stormers U14 D1 will be looking to keep the pressure on leaders Bradford, whom they trail by the odd point, as they face Coventry, also at Ice Sheffield on Saturday which follows the Sabres game with a 2.35pm face off for Stormers.

Lasers U12 D1 make the short trip to the Lammas Centre to face Sutton at 2.05pm.

On Sunday in the NIHL Moralee Conference, senior team Spartans face the daunting task of getting back to winning ways against the undefeated table topping Hawks over in Blackburn this Sunday. As the Hawks edge ever closer to the league title with a record of 15 wins & 2 draws, a short benched Spartans are certainly going to be up against it this weekend. However, the only team to take a point off Blackburn on their home ice this season has been Spartans who were also missing some key players that day so even though they will be missing a few, that won’t be used as an excuse. We did it before, but can we do it again? It was a battle that day but one that nearly yielded a win, being denied in the last minute but Hawks were more than worthy of their point but will be keen to take full points on Sunday as they home in on the title.

Meanwhile at Ice Sheffield two of our junior teams face what could be potentially tricky games starting at 4.35pm when Rapiers U16 D1 face Manchester whilst after that Steelhawks U18 D1 tackle Kingston, facing off at 6.35pm.

If you can spare the time why not come down and cheers the juniors on…your support would be both welcome and really appreciated.

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Weekend Preview - Panthers (h) Devils (a)

Four Point weekend last weekend at home to Dundee and away to Edinburgh but now were getting to the business end of the season and this weekend we take on them down the road at the Motorpoint as Nottingham come to town and Sunday we travel to the big blue tent to take on the Cardiff Devils live on Premier Sports.

For This weekend’s game the Steelers will definitely be without goaltenders Frank Doyle and Geoff Woolhouse who continue to be ruled out with injured so fully expect Josh Unice to keep his place in between the pipes with Andy Jaszczyk backing him up. Dustin Kohn also remains on the side-lines and when asked if Kohn was due back any time soon Gerad Adams said he was still a while off. Jeff Legue missed last weekend’s game through illness so expect him to be back in the line-up as well as Colton Fretter who missed the final 2 periods of Sunday’s victory in Edinburgh. I’m unsure whether Ferrara will be in the line-up we will find that out at the Arena.

Nottingham come to the arena as one of the current form teams and also seem to have the Steelers number at the moment so Sheffield need to do something to get a win. Nottingham have a fully fit Kowalski and Modig so any one of them can start and the Panthers have a solid netminder. Last I heard Panthers are without Stevie Lee, Bruce Graham, David Clarke, Olli Betteridge and Cody Wild who all miss out through Injury (Not 100%). Nottingham will also be without Colby Cohen who was suspended for 1 game after an incident with Belfast’s Cody Brookwell last weekend. Nottingham travel to Hull on Sunday Night.

Cardiff will be looking for revenge after Steelers beat them comfortable last time out with a 6-0 victory in Cardiff. Cardiff will still be without the injured Matthew Myers I believe but one thing I am 100% sure on is that new signing 36-years-old Markku Tahtinen from Finland will be in the line-up and be making his debut this weekend so a bit of an unknown quantity that Sheffield will have to take a precaution on. Cardiff take on the Giants at the Odyssey on Friday Night.

This Weekend we have updates coming from both Tom and Alan so don’t forget to follow @TomWalkeden and @FrozenSteelMNL for your play by play action. Better yet Steelers have a webcast for Saturday home game versus the Panthers – face-off at 7pm and Sunday the game is live on Premier Sports – face-off at 6pm.

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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