Review: 4-6 September

The first weekend of the 2015-16 season is behind us, and what a start we have had. Sheffield and Braehead had their last games in this season's Champions League but already the surprises have started. It's now time to look back and assess matters for each other of the ten member clubs. Are we ready for it, let's go..

We will start this first week's review with the Braehead Clan, and what a night Saturday proved to be for Ryan Finnerty's men. Twice they led against ERC Ingolstadt, twice they fell behind but with the DEL side chasing the top spot in the group: a couple of empty netters from Alex Leavitt and Marcus Götz secured a 6-4 win for the Purple Army and made the majority of the 3,398 spectators very happy indeed. This is probably the biggest achievement so far for Clan in their now sixth year, and shows how far this club is progressing. For the rest of the Elite League, it's a statement of intent that the 2015-16 Braehead team will be a team to not take too lightly.

Also in CHL action were Paul Thompson's Sheffield Steelers, and they more than held their own against crack SHL side Frölunda Gothenburg. For the majority of the game, Steelers more than held their own and after 40 minutes were level at 1-1. However aided and abetted slightly by some strange referee calls, the Swedes turned it up to run out 4-1 winners which slightly flattered them but the home fans certainly went home feeling proud of their men in orange. Come Sunday night, Steelers made the trip to South Wales and conceded twice in the first 10 minutes there; which is always a mountainous task to pull back in the BBT. Three times they got within one but an empty net goal secured the deal for Cardiff - yet PT will be probably be content with his side's spirit over the two nights.

Onto Cardiff themselves now, and Andrew Lord must be delighted with the first weekend of action. Ten goals, five each night, and five different scorers in each game - that's not a bad little effort is it? It certainly puts down a marker and puts into context the gut instinct that some people outside the Principality that the Devils will go close again in the title race this season. Don't write them off, Lord has a very good squad at his disposal, bringing in both Gui Doucet and Leigh Salters are two very good signings indeed. As for the ice, well we hope that improves before the move to the new Wales Ice Arena which is apparently on track for January still.

Nottingham only had the single game on Saturday night, and much to many people's surprise; were taken to penalty shots in the NIC by Dundee Stars. With Cam Janssen still not in the country, visa problems, Panthers outshot their visitors 2 to 1 (54 to 27) but found Stars Czech netminder Vlastimil Lakosil in excellent form. Twice Stars led, twice Panthers replied through former Anaheim Ducks draft pick Logan MacMillan and the returning Matt Myers but after 65 minutes, they were still level. Two rounds of the shootout was all that was needed though, but should Corey be concerned? That's debatable but the acquisition of Andreas Wiedergut and Janssen imminent, things may look a bit better.

Coventry and Fife had a home and home series on the opening weekend. Chuck Weber's men made the trip to Kirkcaldy Saturday night and it was a road trip to forget for last season's Play-Off Champions as the Flyers started their home season with a 6-0 win and Blaze registering a lacklustre 19 shots only on David Brown in the home cage. However, it was a case of the skate being the other foot at the SkyDome as Blaze flexed their muscle more and a 4-1 win ensured a spilt weekend. One can only imagine how Blaze new signing Ned Lukacevic felt Saturday night, wasn't a happy return was it Ned?

Under new player-coach Derrick Walser, a few people expect Belfast to be much better this season. However on Friday night in Tayside, the new era didn't start too well with a 3-0 loss to Dundee. What might be of concern to the new player-coach is that two of these goals were scored short handed. That is a worrying stat if there ever there was one. Redemption was there at the newly named SSE Arena Saturday as the Giants raced into 4-0 lead over Edinburgh, but had withstand a late flurry to ensure they didn't suffer a second loss in as many nights.

Edinburgh had a horrible weekend by their own stretch of imagination, two defeats and the second one - a comprehensive beating by the league's new boys. Riley Emmerson would probably be content with the resilience shown in Belfast to lose only 5-3 there but we can imagine he was probably less than calm after Sunday in Altrincham. Seven goals conceded without reply is quite simply humiliating, and if Sir Alex Ferguson had been a hockey coach then you can picture the walls of the visitors locker room being blistered with expletives. Capitals need a response before losing becomes a habit like it has been for the last few seasons.

Dundee, now under the tutelage of Marc LeFebvre, will be quite content with their opening weekend's work. A win over Belfast with new signing, and former Edinburgh Capital, Curtis Leinweber scoring a brace was just the perfect start for the team that finished rock bottom last season. Buoyed by this result, Stars went to the NIC 24 hours later and led twice thanks to goals from John Dolan and new import Justin Faryna before succumbing in a shoot-out to take a point from the game. It might be heady days but the Tayside side's fans can be quiet pleased with how the first weekend unfolded.

Closing this opening weekend review, and it's not intentional in the slightest, are league newcomers Manchester Storm. Storm were given a baptism of fire so to speak as they became the first visitors to the Big Blue Tent this season. Despite taking first period lead through Matthew Sisca, they had no response as Devils rattled in five unanswered (four in the second period alone) to win 5-1. However, Sunday night in Altrincham proved to be memorable as Storm crushed the visiting Edinburgh Capitals team 8-1 with Luke Salazar hitting a treble. An excellent recovery indeed.

And that hockey fans, concludes the review of the first week's action. I'll be back again next week and look back on those. Take care until then.

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Lancers Secure Their First Ever Victory Against Hoods

The Sheffield Lancers were going into their second season after losing all of their fixtures last season and after a change in the coach staff and a new bundle of players it was set to be a promising start for the Knights development team.

The lancers took a two goal lead early in the 1st period courtesy off Adam Cooper who went top shelf within 59 second and Jaret Rose who scored his 1st of three goals after just five minutes on the power play. Nottingham Hoods did pull a goal back to go into the 1st period break down 2-1 and that was scored by Francois Gallant timed at 11.59.

After conceding with a second left on the clock in the 1st period the Lancers put heir foot back on the gas early in the second period with quick goals coming from debutant Aiden Paget who scored his 1st of the game from the high slot and then just a minute later Jaret Rose scored his second of the game after receiving a pass from debutant Wayne Newman from in front of his own goal and Rose timed his finish to perfection to give the Lancers a 4-1 Lead. James Duffy pulled a second goal back for the Hoods scoring his first of the game at 17:54 firing a snap shot through the pads of Daniel Croskell. A third debutant Michael Henderson took his first penalty of his Lancers career and Aiden Paget went on to score short handing for his 2nd of the game an in quick succession Aaron Bowler fired a shot over the block of the Hoods netminders to make it 6-2 and then Jaret Rose completed his hat-trick in the final minute of the 2nd period to give the Lancers a 7-2 lead going into the third period.

Hoods wasn't going to give up in the third period though when they tried to mount a come back and at 29:14 James Duffy was fed in for his second off the game and placed his shot high over the blocker off Croskell to make it 7-4. Sebastian Turek made it 7-5 at the 30:25 mark when he fired a big slap shot past Croskell who didn't have a clue till the Hoods player were celebrating. The home side finished of the scoring when again Sebastian Turek fired a second slap shot to make it 7-5 at 34:31 and that prompted Lancers head coach David Grant to call a time out as his players were look nervous but the visitors hung on to secure their first victory of the season 7-5.

FINAL SCORE: Nottingham Hoods 5-7 Sheffield Lancers

A cracking start to the season for the Lancers who really did look like a new team and you can tell that by the faces of the players at the end of the game. Next up for the club is a European friendly on Saturday 12th September when the Knights take on La Chaux-de-Fonds from Switzerland at Queens Road (Skate Central) in Sheffield just next to the G Casino and we hope to see as many people there as possible.

Shots Count:- 45-42

Points:-
Hoods:
#17 James Duffy (2+1)
#44 Francois Gallant (1+0)
#46 Tom Clark (0+1)
#60 Daniel Pylypiw (0+1)
#84 Sebastian Turek (2+1)
#90 Rhys Brown (0+1)
 

Lancers:
#33 Wayne Newman (0+1)

#41 Aaron Bowler (1+1)

#55 Jaret Rose (3+2)

#63 Adam Cooper (1+0)

#95 Michael Henderson (0+1)

#98 Aiden Paget (2+0)

PIM:-

Hoods:
#84 Sebastian Turek 2 Minutes For Slashing
#9 2 Minutes For Delay of the Game

Lancers:

#63 Adam Cooper 2 Minutes For Delay of the Game

#86 Richard Cartwright 2 Minutes For Tripping

#95 Michael Henderson 2 Minutes For Checking

 

MoM:
Hoods: #12 Sebastian Turek

Lancers: #1 Daniel Croskell
 

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Five Things - Champions Hockey League

Thank you to Tony for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Tony on Twitter @DISGU15ED.

Tony returns with his first "Five Things" of the new season, this time he's talking about the Champions Hockey League. Agree with or disagree? Well let us know.

 

So after a couple of seasons of CHL action for EIHL clubs, what five things did we learn?

1. The Swedes play at a higher level: In the six games between EIHL and SHL in the CHL so far, the Swedes are 6 from 6, with 45 goals scored by the Swedes and 7 scored by the plucky Brits. Nothing to be embarrassed by, as their player budgets are over ten times more than ours, but something to consider when you next watch the SHL on Premier! Of the eight teams they entered this year, six won their group and the other two came second, even though they consistently rested some top players and played back-up net-minders. Last year the CHL final was an all Swedish affair (and their top team was knocked out in the Semi’s), so it’s fair to expect the blue and yellow Scandinavian cross to by flying high again this year.

2. The Finns aren’t far behind: We’ve seen four games against Lukko and JYP and they’ve won them all too. Goal difference is less, but they still average three more goals than we do, and by god they’ve got some big lads – did you see Jason crick his neck when he went face-to-chest with one of them at the Arena! 

3. The Germans aren’t too far ahead though: Possibly the third best league in Europe in terms of player income, and we’re 50:50 over four games – both the Clan and Panthers beat their German oppo at home. When we get the bounces we can compete, and congrats to Braehead and Nottingham for staying close enough to do exactly that.

4. Wild Card Leagues: Unfortunately for the EIHL every other wild card league did a bit better than we did, and if the Poles want to play next year, or the Danes want a second spot, I fear we might be the ones that suffer. For the record the Norwegians both won their groups, the Slovaks had one team qualify and one team get one point, the French both got 1 win each, and the Danish team won one too. Even the Belarussian qualifier from the Continental cup grabbed a win. All statistically better than one win from two teams I'm afraid.

5. Worst team in the competition? There were only two teams who scored no points in this year’s CHL. The Steelers who finished with a -16 goal difference, and EV Zug from Switzerland who finished with -12. In a small sample then stats can lie, and we were close to getting a result, but our overall league CHL ranking will probably fall in 16/17. With an easier draw we may have had different results, but the history books mark us down as dead last.


Speaking for myself, it’s been a great competition so far, and I’ve enjoyed seeing our boys compete against some of the best teams to come to Britain for many years. When Europe comes to play we found we weren’t too far behind, and if we get some ‘puck-luck’, they rest some of their top guys, and they play their back-up net-minder, then we can nip the odd point or three off them. Let’s hope that next time the EIHL teams can grab a win that matters.

One last thing: We can be proud of our attendance records, and this combined with large social media interest amongst the GB fans, might save our CHL bacon - Steelers were 12^th highest and Clan 20^th (out of 48), and above teams like Skelleftea, Munich and Prague. On the flip-side however, we might not be so proud of the one stat that the Steelers did win - that of top penalised team with 26 mins per game, and an average of almost 10 minors each game.

So what do you think?

Tony
 

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Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers - Challenge Cup Group B

First game of the Domestic Season as the Steelers travel to Cardiff to face the Devils in the BBT.

Cardiff Devils – 5
Joey Haddad - 1st
Joey Martin - 1st (PP)
Carl Hudson - 3rd (PP)
Leigh Salters - 3rd
Jake Morissette - 3rd (EN)

Sheffield Steelers – 3
Robert Dowd - 3rd (PP)
Tyler Mosienko - 3rd
Mike Duco - 3rd (PP)

First game of the domestic season for the Steelers but the second for the Devils after beating Manchester just 24 hours earlier. Cardiff took the lead at 2:10 when a defensive lapse by the visitors allowed Joey Haddad to re-direct past Plante from in front of goal and it was 1-0 to the home side. Cardiff extended their lead to 2-0 at 10:09 when the Devils looked to be offside but nothing was given and this time it was Joey Martin who was fed in front to slot past Plante on the power play and that's how it stayed going into the break and the whole of the second period.

After a scoreless second period Sheffield pulled a goal back on the power play at 44:06 when Robert Dowd scored the first goal of the Steelers domestic season when he turned in the slot finishing past the always impressive Ben Bowns. Cardiff soon went on the man advantage when Eddy was called for holding and at 45:02 made it 3-1 after an absolutely beautiful play by Joey Martin found Hudson who finished up high on Plante. Steelers come straight back though and in the next shift a bit of a lucky bounce at 45:19 and O'Connor found Mosienko who faked Bowns and slotted into the open goal to make it 3-2. A flurry of goals and Cardiff scored a fourth at 46:13 when it was Leigh Salters credited with the goal after forcing a leg save out of Plante on the wraparound and Fitzgerald unluckily lifted it into his own goal to make it 4-2 to Cardiff. Five minutes to play and Sheffield on the man advantage again and Mike Duco scored his first goal in Steelers colours at 55:26 to make it 4-2 but with the clock ticking down Paul Thompson pulled Plante to try and find an equaliser but Morissette scored into the empty net at 59:39 to give the Devils a 5-3 victory.

FINAL SCORE: Cardiff Devils 5-3 Sheffield Steelers

Josh Batch got the Man of the Match award for the Devils and Robert Dowd for the Steelers. Sheffield's next game is Coventry away on the Saturday 12th and then Cardiff at home on Sunday 13th. See You There!

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Sheffield Steelers v Frolunda Gothenburg - CHL Matchday 4 Match Report

Matchday 4 in the Champions Hockey League as the Steelers Host Frolunda.

Sheffield Steelers – 1
Levi Nelson - 2nd (PP)

Frolunda Gothenburg – 4
Elias Falth - 1st (PP), 3rd (PP)
Artturi Lehkonen - 3rd
Ryan Lasch - 3rd

The Biggest team in European hockey came to town and Sheffield gave them more than a game. Frolunda were gifted with a power play opportunity when Mathieu Roy was called 2+2 for high sticks but after watching it back shouldn't have been given and even at the time we all knew it shouldn't have been given. Frolunda made it count at 16:35 when Elias Falth fired a slap shot that beat Tyler Plante down low to give the visitors a 1-0 lead which they then took into the 1st interval too.

Real end to end stuff with penalties getting called left right from centre but both teams just got on with it. Sheffield managed to level the game with just over 4 minutes left in the period and on the man advantage when Jeff Legue was able to throw the puck in front of goal to find Levi Nelson all alone and re-directed past Lars Johansson to make it a 1-1 hockey game at 35:50 and erupt the Sheffield Arena. The home faithful was more than happy going into the second break all tied up against one of the top teams in Europe.

1-1 going into the third period and all to play for with just 20 minutes left but the home side just couldn't find a way through despite having chance after chance. Frolunda took the lead again at 45:01 when Artturi Lehkonen shot went through the legs of Plante for a 2-1 lead. The visitors made it 3-1 at 50:22 when O'Connor couldn't get hold of the puck to get it cleared out the zone and Ryan Lasch capitalized as he picked up the puck turned and shot past Tyler Plante. Frolunda finished of the scoring at 58:26 when straight off the draw on the man advantage Elias Falth scored his second of the night when he fired a slap shot that beat Plante through traffic and it was Frolunda who won the game 4-1 taking home all 3 points and toping the group with maximum points.

FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steelers 1-4 Frolunda Gothenburg

Fantastic experience to be in the Champions Hockey League, some fantastic games to watch and really hope were in it again next year and you never know we might get a bit of an easier group. Steelers return to domestic action on Sunday when they travel to Cardiff to take on the Devils in the Challenge Cup.

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