Elite Report: Week 5 Review

Time to look back and see how the games panned out as opposed to Mark's quality, and we're being sarcastic here, predictions. 

Well there was one game Friday, and if you remember, Mark called that one spot on before the game started. Good work Finner and his boys for getting us off to a winning start.

Now on Saturday night's action..

Have to be honest, we acted as usual at all with it. We're calling a 25 per cent success rate which, taking into account previous weeks, is a typical effort. Doing the necessary business for the old crystal ball were Nottingham. Dundee would have counted if they'd would have won in overtime whilst both Belfast and Coventry (bet that tasted sour on your return Danny) both dipped in their respective games.

Sunday was actually better..

Why so you may ask? Well of the three games in question, we got a couple of them bang on the proverbial money. Whoopee-doo!  So huge thanks to Coventry for bouncing back in style and that incredible Edinburgh Capitals that are just streaking, especially at home. Five unanswered third period goals to win 6-4? That's like er, wowzers! Panthers won in IAW to prevent the clean sweep and probably give Mr Lord and the Devils some proverbial food for thought.

So then our week brought a 50 per cent success rate which all things considered, is an improvement on what previous weeks have been like. Overall we're now at 15 out of 35. Can we build on Sunday's performance and get more right? Stay tuned later this week for more predictions.

 

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:

@FrozenSteelBlog

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@hockeybhoy

@DISGU15ED

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

From The Editor's Chair: Edition 6

After a much better weekend points-wise in Steelerland, it's time to grab yourself a brew and probably some biscuits as well (I prefer chocolate digestives or Hob-Nobs myself) and read the view "From The Editor's Chair". Remember these are my personal opinions, and none that of Sheffield Steelers IHC.

So then what has been getting into my head this week just gone by. Read on and find out...

• Poor dog walkies: So what has going for an exercise going with your faithful pooch go to do with Sheffield Steelers? Think about what you have in your hand when you go with said pooch, a lead. Twice this weekend gone, we let a said lead go and allowed the team we are facing; a chance to get back into the game. It almost cost us dear both times and for a team wanting to do a three-peat; it's just not on. Should be closing the game out, and competing for 60 minutes. Which leads me onto..
• Dumb penalties: How many times last season did we pick up a dumb penalty or so and end up paying the price? We did it against Braehead, certainly did against Manchester. Yeah we got out of it but sometimes you just gotta use a bit of nous, after all you're experienced enough, and not be fooled by the opponent. One game, it's gonna bite us on the bum again and we won't be so lucky.
• Levi's injured again: Not the news we wanted to hear in Thommo's statement after Manchester. He's broken his hand apparently, and that's gonna take time to heal isn't it? It's not a quick fix. So what do we do? Do we look for an import on a deal that suits all parties until Levi's ready to go again, or do we have Cole or Liam filling on that role? That's a difficult choice to make, it could determine a few things for sure. I wouldn't like to make that choice.
• Roy is firing once more: There's no better sight when Mathieu Roy is lighting up the points. The guy is an incredible player, the kind of player that therefore becomes known as "clutch". Joey Talbot and Jeff Legue were clutch players, players who could turn it on when you need, and Roy is just as good as doing that. 3+2 over the weekend, that's damn good. If he remains healthy then Mathieu could be good for another 80 point plus season this year and that's with no word of a lie.
• Officials: A lot had been said last season about the standard of the stripeys. With more added to the list, you felt steps have been taken to increase the pool and not see the familiar faces week in; week out. Whilst Mr Pering was shall we say; consistently inconsistent; the man with the armbands at Altrincham was by all accounts - definitely from the Storm perspective - not what was expected of. Officials like Darnell and Craig are the best we have, they should be learned from - not some rookie at EIHL level. Sort it out Simon!

Well that's it for another week, hope I can spread positive vibes next week.

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:

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@DISGU15ED

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Goals galore at both ends - Five things from w/e 2 October.

After over a month of warming up we finally took our first steps to becoming back-to-back-to-back EIHL league champions with what we hope is the first of many home wins. Then we went to Manchester for a sit in the penalty box, and a hockey game erupted. Nine goals for, Seven goals against and four points in two breathless games. Here’s the top five things I learnt:

1 – GAA reduction – It wasn’t a tricky target to better our current 4 GAA, so even conceding 7 in two games improved it. Bizarrely Moose’s GAA was a very decent 92.3% v Braehead (although it felt worse), and 88.5% v Manchester, so he’s more like Mr 88% now – still approximately bottom of the league, and worst ever Steeler N/M in that statistic. We’re still feeing nervous every time we’re defending, but there were some signs from Moose, and getting Franzon back will help again, but is it good enough Thommo? Something needs to change in our players or tactics if we're going to win things this year - we can't rely on scoring five every game!

2 – Finnerty Ranting – I guess we’ll never know what was said to get two Clan players tossed from the game on Saturday, but surely Finnerty can’t complain about getting a penalty for his team holding and then face-washing Jono from the bench? Once that happened he lost all reasoning and wasted the rest of the game gesturing to the stripes and was lucky not to get tossed by Tom Pering too. Great to see some passion, but his team needed some cool heads if they were to get back into the game, not ill-discipline and pantomime.

3 – Amateur Referees – 31 offenses and 100 PIMs against the Storm according to Jan Schmejkal – now that’s ridiculous, and it left both sets of fans frustrated. How can any game flow if it gets an average of about two minutes between each call. The Storm fans think we paid him off, and we think they paid him off! Maybe Finner had a point on Saturday after all.

4 – Copycat Dows – I had hoped that with Simmsey away the Dows might be left to play something other than Sweet Caroline - but my hopes were short-lived. I do see that people will wave to the tune, and that when the odd rock track was played the fans didn’t know what to do, but surely we need to evolve and not get stuck repeating the same tracks multiple times a game?

5 – Capitals Love – Everyone's favourite second team scored a blinder on Sunday when Fife forgot there were three periods in hockey - Caps got 5 unanswered goals to reverse a 4:1 deficit after 40 minutes is the kind of comeback their fans will talk about for ages. Hilarious for the neutral, and a reminder that we should stop complaining about our four point week-end, and thank the lord we're not Fife fans (again). Well done Caps - challenge cup knock-out qualification for the first time in my memory. Bravo.

I didn’t even get to talk about how we switch off in games, being out-sung by a dozen Clan fans, Lawry netting four times in one game, Ben’s blue-line bombs, or Davey Philips becoming Mark Thomas V2.0 – but that’s all ammunition for another week.

My final thought to leave you with is in the theme of #hockeyfamilystickstogether and to promote two recent causes that deserve our support. Firstly @TheMatchka, raising funds through Hockey to help the Matzka family as Scott battles ALS – you may remember Scott playing for the Devils when we piped them to the title in 10-11. The second is #Support25 @Support25Calder a fund created to support Adam Calder, who needs no introduction to anyone watching the EIHL from 2004-2010 in his fight against cancer. Watch out for his benefit game at the Skydome against the Steelers on 25th October.

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:
@FrozenSteelBlog
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@DISGU15ED

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice 
It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Elite Report: Week 5 Preview

We're back in the prediction room to see what Mark's crystal ball foresees for the weekend ahead. It's not been a good start with them, but if you have already read the review of last week's action - we predicted at the end that Braehead would win Dundee in regulation last night...so that's a decent start haha!

Anyway time to see what we think is going to happen tonight (Saturday) and tomorrow:

Saturday night:

Belfast Giants v Cardiff Devils

Potentially could go either way this one. Both teams are in decent form and can come away with the points on offer. Nickerson v Bordeleau could be an interesting showdown. Prediction: Giants regulation.

Nottingham Panthers v Manchester Storm

As ordinary as Panthers are (sorry but it's true) and as much as Storm are much improved, there's only one outcome here. Storm to be on the back foot methinks. Prediction: Panthers regulation.

Dundee Stars v Edinburgh Capitals

Dundee need to be careful here against a Caps side that is positively buzzing. Whatever Michal Dobron's said, it's worked so far. Furby needs to have his roster focused to get the win. Prediction: Stars overtime.

Fife Flyers v Coventry Blaze

The return of Danny Stewart to Kirkcaldy, albeit now as Blaze Head Coach. Will five years under Todd prove to be inspirational or will Todd change tactics to outsmart Danny? Prediction: Blaze regulation.  

Sunday night:      

Coventry Blaze v Dundee Stars

Is Marc LeFebvre going to go into his old building and come away with the all important league points, or will Danny Stewart celebrating a home win. Home win but not convincingly. Prediction: Blaze regulation.

Cardiff Devils v Nottingham Panthers

This promises to be in my eyes, probably the game of the weekend. Two depth squads with a potential scrap between Bordeleau and McGrattan too. It will be feisty, and close. Prediction: Devils overtime.

Edinburgh Capitals v Fife Flyers

It's been Fortress Murrayfield so far in this first month of the campaign, can they continue with it against a Flyers who can flatter or impress on the road? Dobron to be happy again. Prediction: Caps regulation.  

Let's see these pan out then? One day we will get them all right...

 

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:

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@DISGU15ED

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog

Big Match Preview - Braehead and Manchester

One month into the season, and we now begin the real deal: the Elite League. We've had the Challenge Cup - which has been pretty topsy turvy shall we say - but it's time to launch the quest for the three-peat. Strap yourselves in, game 1 of 52 starts tonight.

Saturday night, this evening so apologies for the delayed post, begins with a home game against this certain team who have come down from the West Coast of Scotland:

Yes, it's the return of our purple friends and former Head Coach, Ryan Finnerty. Up to recently, Clan had gone through a terrible patch of form. Before their win in Manchester last Saturday, they had gone 0-8-1. Including last night, they've won two and lost one on a shootout. A marked improvement don't you think? Safe to say a few rockets up the bum must have fired this. We simply can't underestimate them. They have on paper, a good solid depth squad which will hurt you if given chances. If we play like we can and not like we did last weekend; we will be getting off to a good start in the league defence.

Thoughts? Us to skate away with 4-2 win, thanks to an empty netter maybe.

The following night, we've got one of the shortest trip of the season that we do but it's a tricky one at that too. It's a visit to Cheshire, which means we face these:

A much improved Manchester Storm as we keep re-iterating. Some smart recruitment in the summer, and they had a summer to plan and assemble this time, and they look serious danger to anyone out there never mind us. Whilst they do not have the depth of ourselves, Cardiff and Nottingham: what they do have is work ethic. That's something Omar Pacha has given them, and for a Storm fan you can't ask for anything better than that - just look at the 6-4 in the House Of Steel a month ago. It is going to be hard, we have got to compete for 60 minutes. Switch off, and another loss beckons.

Thoughts on this one? Storm will win it, but by the odd goal in five after overtime.

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:

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@DISGU15ED

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog