Elite Report: Week 3 Review

Week number three of the season is now in the record book and with it another set of predictions that went all Pete Tong or were absolutely fantastic.

Let's see how the crystal ball fared against what happened in reality.

Saturday:

Braehead Clan v Manchester Storm - MANCHESTER REGULATION WIN

Well we got this one wrong, Storm coming out on top in regulation thanks to another brace from Darian Dziurzynski. Clan fans were seething, bet Pacha was dancing all the way to the coach home. Rightly so too!

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils - NOTTINGHAM REGULATION WIN

Another one we got wrong. Technically we said Panthers would win this one but they did it in 60 minutes without the need for 3 on 3 overtime.

Belfast Giants v Edinburgh Capitals - BELFAST REGULATION WIN

It wasn't the blow out we predicted but we got this one spot on. Despite finally having Fullerton in net, Caps slipped to a loss.

Fife Flyers v Dundee Stars - DUNDEE REGULATION WIN

Dundee made it a 50 per cent success rate on Saturday with a 6-3 road win in Kirkcaldy. Apparently Jeff Hutchins was a very angry man afterwards.

Sunday now:

Cardiff Devils v Fife Flyers - CARDIFF REGULATION WIN  

A good start here, Devils bouncing back from being shut out in the NIC with a fully expected home win in IAW against the Flyers.

Manchester Storm v Coventry Blaze - MANCHESTER REGULATION WIN

Four point weekend for the Storm, a blank for the Blaze - just like the prediction we made too on this game.

Edinburgh Capitals v Braehead Clan - EDINBURGH OVERTIME WIN

Another defeat for Finner and the Clan, not what we thought would happen. Bet a few harsh truths have been apparently spoken? Sir Alex Ferguson would have chucked skates never mind boots and teacups if he'd been Finnerty, just presuming of course.

Dundee Stars v Belfast Giants - BELFAST REGULATION WIN 

Well that's the way to celebrate your 1000th game, Giants pillaging two points in Tayside. Derrick Walser has gotta smile over that. We aren't, we got this wrong.

So out of the eight we got three right, not a good week. Overall that takes us to 9 correct out of 19, think we have to do better. Before we go though, week four actually starts on Wednesday when the Clan host the Caps at Braehead. Surely Braehead you can't let us down on this, please don't OK? Else we're off to run to mummy haha..

 

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From The Editor's Chair: Edition 4

Early start this week with the articles and time for the fourth edition "From The Editor's Chair. Apparently some thought I was having a dig at Jesse Schultz. Far from it, that guy is a joy to watch: he's on the list for the name on the back of my shirt in fact. I was purely defending him in response to some detractors who were having a dig at him before he scored his first against Salzburg.

Now that's cleared up, let's see what I got to talk about this week. Eyes down and look in...

• Four point weekend: You gotta love a four point weekend haven't you, even if it is in that much maligned Challenge Cup. Well we got one and it is still tasting sweet. We did the job on the road against the Blaze and capped it with a dismantling of the Panthers. That's what we call perfection. It now puts us on six points, three out of three. Three points from the next five CC games and I would say we're through to the quarter finals. No pressure then?
• Goals galore: Eleven goals netted in 120 minutes play ain't too shabby. It proves we are probably offensively stacked as well as we have been for a few years. The goals are coming from everywhere on the forward lines, I mean each of them got at least one goal on Sunday night. That's gotta please Thommo and Jerry. It also sends out a message to our opponents too, if you think you can shut the top line and win then you got another thing coming. We got plenty of scorers in this team.
• Panthers: Hate to say it, they flattered to deceive. The team looks a bit flat bar a few players. Pacl was a rabbit in headlights from the first shot we put on him, and starting him was a decision that didn't work out for old Corey. Why play him when Wiikman had a SO against Devils 24 hours previous? There's gotta be some concerns injury wise. Lacho and Clarke were peripheral figures all night, both shown up by young Ollie Betteridge. Of the rest, Lindhagen and Nikiforuk impressed me but the rest, er nah!
• Shut that door: If I have to have one slight criticism this season so far, it's that we're leaking a fair few. But the good thing is that the management know this themselves. Once the defensive core settles down, the goals against tally I'm convinced will equally settle down in numbers and diminish. I mean out of the six defencemen we have, only two were here last season (Ben and Fitzy). It's a work in progress and one that is going a big say if we do the three-peat or not. Hopefully the former...
• It's a kind of magic: Are any of you on Twitter I ask? If so, get following "The Moose" I doth recommend. His magic tricks are brilliant, and it will brighten your day up. More tricks please Moose, your audience asks for it. And how can he do a Rubik's Cube in 4 minutes? It'll take me 4 bloody weeks if I had a go, I couldn't never get the hang of it when I had one of them when I was growing up. Some people have a gift don't they? Keep 'em coming Moose!    

Well that's enough from the Editor's Chair this week. Remember these are my thoughts and not of the Club. Disclaimer signed here and now! Toodles..


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:

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Elite Report: Week 3 Preview

Third week of the season and a full programme of action. All teams are in action whether it be League, Challenge Cup or even in one match: a combination of both. This is where the real stuff starts as far as I am concerned.  Let's look ahead to them, are you with me?

Whilst we are in action at Coventry, we have these games:

Braehead Clan v Manchester Storm   - LEAGUE

Clan will be hurting, they will be hurting. They have not had the best starts of the season and for a potential title winner that's going to sting. Wins are needed, and needed quickly, to get the confidence back in the camp. Storm though will fancy their chances on the road, don't doubt that. It could be a close one.

Verdict: Clan regulation.

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils   - LEAGUE/CHALLENGE CUP

In an interesting encounter, Panthers play Devils as a combined Challenge Cup and Elite League game. Both counting for their respective competitions that is. It could be a game that lays down a marker for each team. Panthers will be looking to bounce back, Devils will look to build on Sunday's win against Braehead. Again it could be close.

Verdict: Panthers in overtime.

Belfast Giants v Edinburgh Capitals    - CHALLENGE CUP

Regardless of whether Travis Fullerton has arrived or the back up is playing again, Giants should win this one. If it's the latter then it could be a very hard evening at the SSE Arena for Michal Dobron's men, they shipped eight at home to Dundee last Sunday: it could be the same. Not disrespecting you Caps but this definitely has the home banker written on it.

Verdict: Giants regulation.

Fife Flyers v Dundee Stars    - CHALLENGE CUP

Saturday's final game is an absolute rocket and appetiser shall we say. It's the derby between Fife and Dundee; and the hosts will be hoping to build on their very decent start. They've really had a Flyer so to speak but Dundee have some good quality in their ranks too. It could be a win for each other quite easily; one's going to be upset in the end.

Verdict: Dundee regulation...just!         

Now onto Sunday, and apologies for the length of this piece. 

Cardiff Devils v Fife Flyers    - LEAGUE

They have had a bump in the road last weekend at Manchester, but seriously do you expect Cardiff to come unstuck in Ice Arena Wales against the Flyers? Come on, do you?  I certainly don't think they will, and despite Fife having a good result against the Panthers, Devils will hold too many aces for Todd Dutuiame's men. It will be a convincing win.

Verdict: Devils regulation.

Manchester Storm v Coventry Blaze    - CHALLENGE CUP

This could be an interesting one to call to be honest. Manchester have been rebuilt and are a much much better side than they were 12 months ago, and to be honest so are Coventry under Danny Stewart. It might all depend on which side takes their chances the most, and I wouldn't be shocked if it went beyond 60 minutes. If ever a draw could be chosen, this would be it.

Verdict: Blaze in overtime.    

Edinburgh Capitals v Braehead Clan   - CHALLENGE CUP

The chances of the Capitals winning this one depend purely if Fullerton has arrived in the country, because apparently he's now got his visa and awaiting his passport. If he hasn't, Braehead will win this one. If he's there, Clan might have a bit of blockade to deal with - a former man in purple. The trip back down the A8 is going to be happy and Finner might just crack open a smile.

Verdict: Clan regulation.

Dundee Stars v Belfast Giants    - CHALLENGE CUP

And finally, the preview of the last game of week three. This, like the Manchester-Coventry game, go either way. Both have the ability to win and win well if their "A" game is in place. Dundee will be keen to impress and a home loss to Panthers, means redemption is in mind. Giants will be looking to improve under Walser. See what I mean about a tough decision?

Verdict: Stars regulation.


That therefore concludes my preview of week number three. How do you see the games going?
        

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:

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Big Match Preview: Coventry and Nottingham

Time to look ahead to this weekend's games for the Steelers in Challenge Cup action.This season I will be previewing both games at once. Do you agree with what I think?

Saturday night sees us on the road to face this nemesis:

 

Yes it's a trip to SkyDome to face a much changed Coventry Blaze team, now coached by Danny Stewart. One thing we can assume is that the way that Stewart played, is going to be the way Blaze are going to play moving forward. They've recruited good and have retained some key members like the behemoth Brian Stewart and the hugely impressive Jordan Pietrus. Results have been decent too. We need to get this monkey off our back and make a statement.

Prediction: Steelers to win 3-2 after penalty shots.

Sunday night, and we get the first visit of the season from these:

Yes it's the Nottingham Panthers, our nearest and dearest. A few changes in Pantherland and some are saying this is a pretty much average team this season. However don't let that fool you, they will be as keen as mustard to upset us. Wiikman, like Stewart in Coventry, can win them games but will he be fit as he only played two matches out of three in Scotland? Some have apparent questions over it. If we play like we did against Salzburg, early bragging rights in place.

Prediction: Steelers to win 3-1; with an empty netter to seal the deal.

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:

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From The Editor's Chair: Edition 3

Time again to sit back after offer my own personal thoughts, it's the edition three "From The Editors Chair". Views are mine alone, and no way connected to that our beloved hockey club. Disclaimer provided there and then.

Not much for me to talk about this week, so this will not be a long winded rant.

We had just one game to play the weekend just gone and that was the final game in Group P of the 2016 Champions Hockey League first round. To be honest, before game day I did have a bit of trepidation about it and that was me just showing, for once, a bit of nerves. Quite remarkable considering I look as cool as the proverbial cucumber on the exterior before every game we play.

Come game day, it was time to get the old hockey head back on.

Just like the HV71 fans, the EC RBS ones were equally as friendly. That's one of the things that can strike the unknown, hockey fans do certainly stick together whether it be friendly banter or as one when things ain't so good. You certainly won't get that a lot in football, some want to drop the mitts when seeing an opposing fan - seen that many times in my lifetime. Now what were my personal highlights from the weekend's game:

• The team commitment: You need to compete at any level that's for sure, and we had been told many times that this roster is probably the most equipped one ever. Sunday proved it. They took the game to their opponents and hounded them so onto the back foot that it was fantastic to see the hard work pay off.
• Jesse Schultz: Some around me don't obviously know their hockey, I can say. Prior to Sunday, they bemoaned that they thought Schultz is rubbish and should be gotten rid of already. Anybody would think he was a piece of trash. They'd obviously not read into his career, and Sunday saw him real light up. I just hope your hat-trick Jesse has given those doubters a large piece of humble pie to eat. Nice one mate!
• We learned: Yes we took penalties Sunday, but the thing was that the penalty kill was really starting to show improvements and it will continue to be one of the best in the EIHL this season. Perhaps we are "learning" as I say to deal with the European style of hockey, the more we get use to it and that's why you get results like Sunday. You have to adapt, else you're gonna land up on your arse.
• "I was there": Regardless of sport, whether it be hockey or not - when you get a result that nobody expected then you can say that "I was there" phrase. We can say that now, it's probably one of the best I've ever seen as a Steeler in all the time I've watched us. Hats off to all. It says everything when you read tweets from Panthers fans, congratulating. Makes you feel pretty damn good inside doesn't it?  

So after that, we go back to the bread and butter of the domestic league this weekend. Challenge Cup games against the Blaze and Panthers; the latter back in the House Of Steel. Hopefully the scoreboard will be working, apparently DS said it has been. I'd personally like to see the back of this competition, and not because we haven't won it for ages. Scrap it and replace it with a proper play-off series like they do in the DEL. 

 

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:

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

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