Rink Round-Up: Week 9

Welcome once more to your weekly Rink Round-Up, your look back at the rest of the Elite League action that does not involve the Steelers.

Week number nine began on Friday with a couple of games. First of all the Nottingham Panthers paid host to Guildford Flames; and they didn't have it all their own way. They made the perfect start, Ollie Betteridge scoring less than 3 minutes in. But Guildford equalised late in the second thanks to the son of Rod, aka Liam Stewart. No goals followed in the third but Panthers got the extra point when Zack Phillips fired past Chris Carrozzi 53 seconds into overtime. Panthers were also indebted seriously to Patrick Galbraith who saved 39 Flames efforts.

Belfast made their Friday evening trip to Tayside count, coming away with a 5-2 road win. Colin Shields bagged a couple and Brendan Connolly 1+3 as they picked up two valuable points.

League leaders Manchester Storm weren't so lucky on the Saturday night in the same Tayside building as the Stars shone for Omar Pacha against his old club. Justin Fox's first for the club 44 seconds from the end made it 4-4 on the night, and then Marc Olivier-Mimar scored the crucial penalty shot in the sixth round to secure the points. Despite conceding first, the Panthers scored four unanswered to lead 4-1 by the 29th minute at Milton Keynes. Two powerplay strikes from ex-Panther Guillaume Doucet and ex-Cardiff Devil Carl Hudson hauled the Lightning back to within one but the Meerkat secured a four point haul with an empty netter 19 seconds from the end.

Also having a four point weekend were the Giants as they recorded a 4-2 win at Fife. A third goal blast by 24 minutes had them in control, and although Danick Gauthier and Ian Young made it a single goal hockey game, Cole Jarrett sealed the deal with an empty net goal 33 seconds from the final buzzer. Braehead put their recent woes behind them as they took the M8 derby 5-2 at Murrayfield, player-assistant coach Brendan Brooks scored twice and Ryan Poultny had three assists as the Clan got back to winning ways despite squandering a two goal first period lead.

In Saturday's other game, Guildford hosted the Blaze and it was the visitors who were smiling at the end as they recorded a 4-1 away triumph. Marc Olivier-Vallerand scored twice for a short benched Coventry who certainly made their presence felt in Surrey as they also picked up 53 penalty minutes off referee Tom Darnell whilst the Flames accrued just 6. Vallerand and skipper Jordan Pietrus both scored twice in Sunday's sole game as Coventry beat Milton Keynes 5-3 in the SkyDome; Lightning skipper Kevin King notching a brace for Pete Russell's men.

And that's your Rink Round-Up. 

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Big Match Preview: Dundee (Home)

Welcome to your big match preview of the next Steelers game.

It's midweek hockey, and midweek hockey at the en-suite bathroom known as Ice Sheffield for the boys as they hope to get back to winning ways in the league as we entertain these fellows:

Yes it's the return to Sheffield of the Dundee Stars, and of course that means Omar "I've got a plan for the Steelers" Pacha will be in residence. The Stars haven't had much luck against the Steelers this season as we have taken both games in regulation. Naturally we want this to continue, and extend the miserable run that Mr Pacha has against us. For the statto's out there, Pacha's overall record against us stands at 0 wins in 22 games (and that goes back to his Hull and Manchester days too) and it's a bit of an unwanted record that we bet he's not at all proud of.

The last game here in Sheffield saw the Steelers blow their visitors away in an exhilarating first period, scoring five goals without reply. It was that sublime that some people were saying it was the best first period of hockey they'd seen for a long time. That game finished 8-2 and it's conceivable that we could expect something similar on Wednesday if we start the game with intensity and have the Stars on the back foot from that first puck drop.

However, we need to play smart when on defence as Stars have a few familiar faces that could hurt us: none so than former Fife Flyer Justin Fox who recently joined Pacha's Tayside troops. Defencemen Joey DeConcilys and Riley Stadel top their scoring charts so that's another thing we need to be wary of. Mind you Mr Stadel won't want to cross Robert Dowd after the same 8-2 game, unless he likes to live life on the edge. We should have enough however to see them off.

My prediction? Steelers to go three out of three against the Stars this season, a 6-1 home win sounds good to me. How do you see it unfolding?

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Steelers slip to Devils defeat

Time for your match report from Saturday's game at Cardiff Devils, our only game of the weekend.

After shutting out the Devils a fortnight ago, Steelers were hoping to build on this and take a much needed away triumph from their visit to Ice Arena Wales. The team were depleted in the defensive ranks as Ben O'Connor did not ice after his wife went into labour on the day of the game, this coupled with Joonas Ronnberg's departure after last Sunday's game, meant the Steelers were down to four recognised defencemen with Cole Shudra bound to get a shift here and there. They were also without the injured Jonas Westerling and it was also game four of the six game ban for Colton Fretter, Brady Ramsay did return to the team however. Devils team news saw them welcome back Justin Faryna after injury, but were still missing Mark Richardson, Patrick Asselin and Joey Haddad.

In front of a sell out crowd in Ice Arena Wales, the game couldn't have started any better for the home side as they opened the scoring after just 55 seconds. Steelers couldn't get the puck out of their own zone and Sean Bentivoglio got the all important touch to send the puck into the net. Steelers had to weather a bit of a storm after this early strike, but they did so, and levelled matters at 4:45 on the clock. Bowns offered up a juicy rebound and Andreas Valdix took full advantage to pouch his third goal of the season. 

Cardiff came again and then forced Steelers into a spot of penalty trouble with some relentless pressure, it was only a matter of time therefore that they scored a second. With three seconds left on a Levi Nelson tripping minor, Devils pounced again: Andrew Hotham being the man on target and Steelers centre John Armstrong being assessed a cross checking minor in the aftermath of it which drew massive cheers from the home supporters. More penalty problems happened in the closing stages of the first period, Matt Marquardt off for tripping this time and the Devils again profited. Matt Pope's final effort squirming into the net although it was one that Moose might seriously want to have back.

The second period saw much more Devils pressure as they hunted more goals on a Steelers defence that were logging up some serious minutes, but some good goaltending from Moose as well as great defensive work ensured that period would end up scoreless. Steelers came out with some intent in the final twenty, and forced the hosts onto the back foot with only some desperate defending seeing them out. Zack Fitzgerald had been at heart of everything, at one stage looking his game was done with a nasty knock but Fitzy being the warrior that he is: got some running repairs and was back on the ice a couple of shifts later. With Moose pulled in the final minute, Steelers continued to give it everything and made it 3-2 31 seconds from the end thanks to a terrific shot from the blue line by Scott Aarssen; his first goal for the team. However, Devils held on and Steelers inter-conference record suffered another narrow but unwanted record.

Time for the statistics:

Goals: Devils 3 Steelers 2

Steelers Scoring: Aarssen 1+0, Valdix 1+0, Fitzgerald 0+1, Dowd 0+1, Nelson 0+1, Armstrong 0+1.

Devils Scoring: Hotham 1+1, Pope 1+1, Bentivoglio 1+1, Paris 0+1, Ulmer 0+1, Martin 0+1.

Shots On Goal:  Devils 27 Steelers 24

Powerplay: Steelers 0 from 2 (0% conversion), Devils 2 from 4 (50% conversion)

Penalty Minutes called: Devils 6 Steelers 8

Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 24 Saves (420), GAA: 3.05 (2.27), Save Percentage 88.90% (92.10%)

Man of the Match: Zack Fitzgerald (Steelers), Andrew Hotham (Devils)

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Big Match Preview: Cardiff (Away)

Welcome to your big match preview, the look ahead to the latest game in the Steelers hockey calendar.

After picking up five points out of possible six last weekend, Steelers only have the single game this weekend coming. It's a Saturday night trip on the road, and quite a trek too, as we go south to face this team:

Yes indeed we are on our travels to face the current holders of dear ol' Monty, the Cardiff Devils. A Cardiff Devils roster that will probably still be smarting after the 4-0 shutout in the Arena just a small matter of two weeks ago. That defeat will have really dented their pride, and they are going to be out to redress the balance in what will be probably a sell out crowd in Ice Arena Wales. It's a game that you want to spend your Saturday night at instead of sitting in front of the TV and watching the damn X-Factor.

Devils are a slightly changed line-up from last season's red steamroller. Most of the roster is still there but they've added to it by bringing in players such as Paul Crowder, Drew Paris and most recently former NHL defenceman Tyson Strachan. So much for not having the financial clout eh Mr Kelman? We think you were having a few of us on when you said that. Bownsy will be wanting to eradicate his horror showing back in South Yorkshire, and prove that he is the undisputed GB number one netminder. 

Players like captain Jake Morissette and Joey's Martin and Haddad are game winners and Mark Richardson will be a constant threat to a Steelers side that tops the league stats on the penalty kill. And that's something we wouldn't have been praising to high heaven 12 months ago would we? If we can keep this solid, grab a few special team goals ourselves, take the game away from the Devils so it silences their raucous support and force the home side into playing the game on the outside: then you know we're capable of winning there. It's certainly been proven in previous trips to South Wales whether it be IAW or BBT.

My prediction? Steelers to give a decent account of themselves but to come up that bit short. Devils to take this 5-2.

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Hockey Soapbox - Season 3 Week 7 - Points On The Board

Welcome one and all to this week's Hockey Soapbox. It's been another busy week of hockey discussion, and plenty for the panel to talk about. On the panel for this week's Soapbox are your blog editors Mark and Tony, the forthright opinions of Nathan and also the breath of fresh air that comes from both Sarah and Fay.

With no further delay, time to get on those soapboxes.


1. Five Words On The Weekend

Reasons to be very cheerful

Young ones take centre stage

Tough weekend, three good battles

Love a Scottish double header

Braehead The Worst Team Ever?

2. Is the Fretter ban now the correct length and has Goulakos got off lightly?

Sarah: It probably is the correct length, although I was thinking maybe 3-4 games. Goulash (saw someone call him that and it stuck) definitely got off lightly. It seemed as though the independent review blamed Fretter for being checked from behind. He’s a repeat offender. I don’t feel it gave the right message out in regards to checking from behind. 

Fay: Agree with the Fretter ban but completely disagree with the reduction. Will not start because I probably won’t stop haha.

Tony: Fretter ban was too low at one game, could have been multi-month, so anything below ten games is ok. It was a stupid petulant reaction and needed significant action from the league. Here's hoping that there's no stupid 'fighters code' reaction the next time we play Belfast as they have multiple goons and a coach who loses the plot easily. 

Nathan: Absolutely. The whole thing has been a huge bunch of annoyance and hadn't it been for the woeful ineptitude of the officiating then we wouldn't even be discussing it but unfortunately it's showing the league up for what it really is at this moment. The DOPS fiasco and the Twitter meltdown afterwards causing professionals and ex-professionals to even come out and mock the decisions was quite frankly embarrassing. Not to mention losing arguably our best player for half a dozen games. OK, we done alright this weekend but we'll not play the atrocious Braehead every week. Beer league?

Mark: It's more realistic than it was initially because the original verdict was nothing more than a proverbial slap in the face. It made the league look comical not to mention how it made this so called Department of Player Safety appear. Goulakos has definitely gotten off lightly, there's one incident in the same game that seems to have been overlooked, the slash on Nelson, I do reckon he will be a marked man come the next encounter but we need to play smart and not fall for his tricks. Play him hard but within fairness then nobody will have just cause to bitch and moan, only his own coach at him.

3. What is your opinion on the reaction from other clubs fans over the incident, have they gone way over the top?

Fay: Yes they have. Feel like there wouldn’t be this much of an uproar if it was any other team. Also, can imagine the rest of the league calling us moaners if it was us reacting that way!

Tony: Unfortunately with our recent success and self-publicist muppet media man we will always be top of people's hate list. The fact that Tony Smith is also the chairman of the league also adds fuel to the fire. The incident itself was easy to spread as it was instantly available on a quality clip so could be retweeted readily. So it was a bonfire ready to ignite. Plonkers like Wheeler will have had a field day - fortunately I have him blocked so I didn't see it myself.  

Nathan: The fact that it was a complete fiasco from start to finish justified the OTT reactions but the hit itself was appalling and should have never happened by a seasoned pro like Fretter. It's the age we live in though and currently the EIHL seems to be a breeding ground for bitching and finger pointing. And of course we run the league so blah blah blah.

Mark: Yes the reaction from fans around the rest of the EIHL was completely over the top, some of the so called "banter" was more like inciting hatred and with venom. Because we're the Steelers, we're like the Manchester United of the EIHL, victims of being a successful hockey club. Would it have been like this if it been anyone else but us? Probably not. Too many keyboard warriors who can't resist themselves in having a pop and don't like it when you bite back. Let them have their day, we'll bounce back better from this.

Sarah: I still feel if it had been any other team then it wouldn’t have been such a big thing. I got laughed at during the week for tweeting that but I stick by my opinion. Attempted murder and assault, I’ve never heard anything so stupid. I totally agree that Fretter shouldn’t have reacted the way he did but it’s always been said that if the refs don’t do their job then the players are going to take care of it themselves and that’s exactly what had happened. The petition that has been going around, I don’t understand why it has to include Fretter in it, everyone knows there’s issues with the refs and DOPS so why has it taken this for people to go into meltdown and sign petitions? Because it’s the Steelers!

4. Would you like the retro logo on all shirts going forward?

Tony: The latter image is our identity now, and the Cogman part of our history. Let's respect it and use it occasionally but let's look forward not backwards. 

Nathan: Yes I would but it's a moot point unless the overall jersey design is half decent and not designed by a 4 year old wearing a blindfold.

Mark: Of course I would, retro is the new future everywhere. Maybe have a retro section of merchandise, it would be a good income stream to be explored and yet untapped at the moment.

Sarah: Yes! I love the retro logo!

Fay: Yes I love the retro look. Also love the block colour no sponsors but understand this isn’t possible due to the money issue.

5. Is there anything else from the Steelers past you would like to see re-introduced?

Nathan: Teal & Moose's record breaking shut out season.

Mark: A bit of teal wouldn't go amiss, and Sandstorm brought back to life in the pre-game introduction segment.

Sarah: It hasn’t changed much since I started following the Steelers but whatever is going to make the club/experience better than I welcome it.

Fay: Hmm, always loved the teal jersey we had but that’s been replaced by the blue which I also love. 

Tony: The remote control airship that advertised Cranny's solicitors was pretty cool - as was Elvis leaving the building!

6. How good is Kieran Brown already?

Mark: He certainly doesn't hold back does he? An amazing talent that seems to have all the tools about him, and is a headache for much more experienced opponents. Give him the right development and ice time, we have a future star here who could play in much higher leagues. Just don't waste him, and let someone else get the credit for what we have invested in..and that's something we have done before. Examples of that being the Meerkat and Matt Haywood!

Sarah: Kieran is fearless! He’s certainly not afraid of the big boys which I love about him. Give the boys ice time and they will show us what they are about. 

Tony: We've seen some glimpses but needs time to develop rather than rushing in my opinion. Would be awesome if he, or Kirky, could end up playing in bigger leagues than ours.

Fay: A great talent. Can’t wait to see what else he can provide!

Nathan: He is very good already and with the right coaching and guidance can only get better. Both he and Kirk. 

And that's this week's soapbox for you..

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