Game Highlight Links - November 2016

Thought I'd add up a rolling post where we can share links to Steelers highlights from across the league - if you want links, we've got you covered!

Away win at Edinburgh (here) in the league

Away loss in Dundee (here) in the league

Home demolition of the Panthers (here) in the league

Away win in Dundee (here) in the league

Home loss against the Devils (here) in the league

Home win against the Giants (here) in the league

Away draw against the Caps (here) brief goal highlights in the Cup QF 1st leg

Home win against the Caps at Ice Sheffield (here) in the Cup QF 2nd leg.

The loss in Ice Arena Wales (here)

That's all for November :)


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Big Match Preview - Edinburgh and Cardiff

Now then everybody, it's here. Later than I anticipated but I am finally doing the preview of this weekend's action. Live from Jönköping in Sweden, it's your big weekend preview for the Steelers games.

We start tonight with a game in the car park across the road or as David Simms calls it, the en-suite. We play these folks:

Yes we entertain Michal Dobron and his Edinburgh Capitals in the second leg of the Challenge Cup quarter final. The tie is on a bit of a knife edge it has to be said after the first game in Murrayfield. Twice the Caps led through Michael D'Orazio and top scorer Pavel Voroybev, but an understrength Steelers side - missing both Andi Valdix and Yared Hagos - levelled the tie thanks to a brace of goals from stand-in third line centre Guillaume Desbiens.

Both Valdix and Hagos are to be missing tonight, Valdix definitely with his hand injury and I think Hagos will not be fully recovered from his concussion either. With Hagos' injury you have to be really careful as one more hit to the head could easily end a career, just look at Eric Lindros and more recently see how many games Sidney Crosby has missed in the NHL with concussion type symptoms. That's why I doubt Hagos will play, in fact I don't think he'll play again until the second week of December if it's dealt with correctly. We need to step up and play for the club as well as our injury stricken team-mates, and if we show the passion that we have then we can overcome them.

Then on Sunday, we have this road trip to the easiest (sarcasm alert) place in the Elite League to win:

 

A trip down to South Wales to play the leaders of the league, and a team that seems to have our number this season already. Devils lead the league from us in second (on regulation wins from Belfast) by seven points, an advantage which could be extended further depending what they (Cardiff) do at struggling Coventry tonight. It's a game we have to win and keep the gap within manageable limits, lose and we could be conceivably 11 points adrift come the end of Sunday. That would be incredibly hard to pull back; it would be like scaling Everest.

So that's the games previewed, what about the score predictions then? Well, even despite the absence of both Valdix and Hagos I think the team will step up as one and overcome the Capitals 5-2 (7-4 on aggregate) to set up a semi-final against either the puddy cats or Braehead. Sunday will be much much harder, and it's sadly a game I cannot see us winning. We might have had half a chance if we had both the injured Swedes in the line-up but I think it's going to be a 4-2 home win there in IAW, could conceivably end up worse than that as much as it pains me to type that.

Well that's how I see the Steelers weekend unfolding, how about you? I'm now off to get myself changed and do some exploring around Jönköping before going to watch HV71 take on Luleå in the Kinnarps Arena this evening. See you later folks.

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 13 Preview

Time once more to dust off the old crystal ball and make some more hapless, at times they have been exactly that, predictions. It's week number thirteen in the season. How do we think the games are going to pan out? Read on...

Friday night:

Nottingham Panthers v Belfast Giants: Panthers to record a much needed win in regulation.

Saturday night:

Coventry Blaze v Cardiff Devils: Devils to edge this one in overtime against a plucky Blaze.

Manchester Storm v Belfast Giants: Giants to record a close run regulation win.

Fife Flyers v Braehead Clan: Clan to overcome their bogey time but needing overtime to do so.

Sunday night: 

Nottingham Panthers v Fife Flyers: A routine home win for Corey Neilson's team in regulation.

Edinburgh Capitals v Braehead Clan: Clan will win the M8 derby in regulation but it will be tight.

Dundee Stars v Manchester Storm: Stars revival to continue with another regulation win.

So those are the predictions, how do you see the games unfolding yourself?      

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

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Hockey Soapbox - Season 2 Week 16 - Back to last weekend

Let me take you back to last week-end, where we entertained the Devils and then the Giants. There was always going to be some talking points from those two games, and here are ours – slightly later than expected – you can blame my employers for that! 

Here's what our soapboxers Andy Roberts, Nathan Turner, Eric Green and Mark Duell were saying this week:

Thanks to Lynn for the photos this week

So let’s have your five word summaries from those two games:

Friday:

Another multiple goal lead squandered

Just call it déjà vu

OK performance against good team

Fretter. Desbien's assist. Defensive frailties.

What Starts Well Ends Bad

Sunday:

Rutherford's hit was absolutely diabolical

Easy win over dirty team

Steelers bounce back against Giants

Moose. Shocking hit. Poor officiating

Scrappy Game Yields Two Points.

On Friday, what happened to swing the score?

• Andy - Cardiff believed they could get a goal with a change of tactics. The goal came, we seemed to panic just like we did in Edinburgh, and before you know it the puck has passed Moose another three times. Two points lost where it looked like we were going to close gap on leaders.
• Mark - Simple answer to this - we relaxed a bit too much and thought the game was won. Two goal leads are the absolute worst in hockey always have been and always will be. For 45 minutes we were in control and looked to have solved the home puzzle that is beating the Devils on home ice. Then we switched off and eight minutes later, we are no longer two in front but two behind and chasing shadows.
• Eric - I personally didn't go to Friday’s game, due to ill health. I did however view the highlights. If I'm honest our two goals were filthy. Both of which will take some beating this season.
• Nathan - Well here we go again. Fully in control of a game and then for ten minutes or so our brains go bye bye and we get our pants pulled down. Cardiff did a number on us. Need to play for 60 boys not 50.
• Eric (continues) - Although we seemed to be in charge, for 50 odd minutes, the highlights showed that our D are still getting caught the wrong side of the opposing team players and the puck. We really do need to sharpen up around our crease. We really do need to shut games and teams down. Do we have the D to do that? I don't think we do....
• Mark (continued) - This is a huge result against us particularly if the title race goes down to the head-to-head results. We could have gone three points behind but now it's seven, even with four games in hand. It's made a hard task much harder. We now know we need to get results in IAW if we are stop Cardiff being a league champion for the first time in what I think is 20 years.

 

No doubt the court of Twitter opinion will have already decided our guilt, but give me your thoughts on the Hagos - Rutherford - Desbiens incident

• Andy - Don't think anyone in the hockey world (well I’m awaiing the DOPS view as I type) believes that Rutherford's hit on Hagos was a good hit. Desbiens did what I would expect any player to do after a hit like that. What followed was in my opinion a big accident with several players then coming in to protect Rutherford. It was awful seeing 2 players laid on the ice with one being stretchered off. Glad both players are going to be OK. A mention for the medical team (and helpers) who did a cracking job on the night.
• Mark - I write the analysis having watched the video over and over again and after the DOPS judgement. The decision to ban Rutherford for just 2 games is a laughing stock. The incident was and is still, much much worse than the one that got Fitzy banned for 2 matches. There is so much clear intent there, Yared is lucky that it hasn't ended up worse. It's callous and a cheap shot. The kind of incident that gets your blood boiling.
• Nathan - Nobody was really to blame for the Rutherford incident, and while many will have their own opinions on how and why it happened what really got my goat as we walked around the arena whilst the medical team were getting him onto the stretcher was some of the inane and quite frankly embarrassing comments being made by certain Steelers fans. When a hockey player is down on the ice and quite obviously in a hell of a lot of pain is it really necessary to yell out things like, "Tha gettin wot tha deserves!" & "Serves thee reyt ya *****!" Idiots.
• Mark (para 2) - It's not often I agree with Simmsey on things, but he's right when he questions what DoPS stands for. Does the S really stand for safety? It doesn't here. Rutherford has gotten off so lightly it's unreal. Desi was doing the right thing in looking after his stricken team-mate, what player wouldn't do? Desi has also got to be applauded for his actions when he realised Rutherford was injured in the aftermath incident when bodies went all over the shop. A dangerous precedent has been set up, things might be more physical next time we encounter that number 91.
• Eric (you may want to sit down, or put a brew on before starting this bit) - Obviously, we are biased, being Steeler fans, but the blindside hit by Dave Rutherford was a really awful hit. Hagos never saw him coming, yet Rutherford had skated nearly the length of our goal line before, as I saw it, delivering a blatant hit to Hagos's head. Now you cannot tell me that Rutherford didn't have time to think about what he was about to do. His subsequent action made it plain that there was and must have been intent in his mind.
• Eric (Pre DOPS) - This sort of hit could have caused a career ending outcome. As such DOPS should throw the book at him, with a maximum penalty for this behaviour. (Writing this before the review by DOPS on the incident, I hope they do. Time will tell!!)
• Eric (Post DOPS) - Newsflash!! Just seen the official outcome of the hit. Rutherford gets 2 game ban. Rubbish!!! Especially you see that during the same review process another player from another club gets a 6 YES! Six game ban for abuse of an official. Eh!?!? How can that be right. Fuming..........
• Eric (Reflecting) - Gladly both players have come through, although it being battered and bruised, somewhat OK.  BUT, what really upset me, is, everyone seemed concerned for Dave Rutherford’s health. As was I. But we, the fans of both clubs and the media all seem to have forgotten the injured victim in all this. Best wishes Yared Hagos get fit, and hurry back.
• Editor – Try some of the Belfast media for size Eric – they switch the incident around and say that Desbiens got the call for Charging before Rutherford’s call for hitting to the head. Re-writing history to appeal to the homers and save Rutherford’s blushes – and whilst I’m typing have we seen an apology from him for the hit? No need for us to see it, but hope he’s apologised to Yared at least.
• Editor (now I’ve started) – Janssen v Marsh.

Was the niggly game created by a dirty Belfast team, or a referee that didn't call what was required so that players started protecting themselves?

• Mark - The niggles were going off at all angles and I wouldn't say Belfast were dirty, I would say they were a bit more physical than usual. They have been soundly beaten in previous encounters so perhaps Walser tried to mix it up a bit to try and put us off our stride. Smart coaching if that's the case. But when you have a stripey willing to let the game flow when it's getting feisty, you're asking for trouble. A stronger referee would have not allowed this to happen, and maybe this is a learning curve for Mr Schmejkal - so he needs to look at the game video himself and see what happened and think about his own performance so it improves him next time out.
• Nathan - It's all well and good trying to let the game flow but it's also important to make the necessary calls when things are starting to get out of control. Not a week goes by without me thinking that someone someday is going to get hurt badly as a result of this, and low and behold look what happens. One guy fails to make the 3rd period, one ends up in an ambulance, and another had sit in the dressing room wondering if the chap on his way to hospital is going to be ok. But then we witness some if the softest penalties called for next to nothing!
• Eric – Was it a bad tempered affair? Well yes, but I still believe that although the officiating got some calls correctly, some of the missed calls were poor at best, diabolical at worse. This form of officiating will instil in both sets of players a feeling that they have to take retribution on the opposition as a way of getting even, born mainly through frustration. Ergo,it will ultimately lead to scenes like we saw at this game. I still believe the EIHL is a better league now, but something seriously needs to be done with bringing the standard of officiating up to a better level...
• Andy - Not sure where the ref was from but he bemused me with some of the calls made on the night. Regardless of who was reffing I think that both the fights would have still taken place. In all honesty the Rutherford hit probably would have too unless it was in reply to something none of us including ref didn't see. Best decision (even though it was wrong-I know that doesn't make sense) was giving Desbiens a game pen so there was no chance of things escalating further. It was good watching a game with a bit of an edge but would have preferred not watching a player getting stretchered off. I remember when Panthers games had an edge...

That's all from our hockey soapbox this 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

Elite Report - Week 12 Review

We're going to make this and the subsequent preview short and sweet this week. That's because your esteemed Editor (that's me Mark) is off on his holidays again on Friday morning.

No I'm not off to Northern Ireland as you might have thought I was, I am instead going out to Jönköping and off to watch HV71 on the Saturday night when we play the second leg of the Challenge Cup quarter final. My usual column next week will be all about that trip; so stay tuned for it.

Anyway how did we do last weekend with the predicting?

Friday night: Brilliant start, we said Dundee would win in regulation and that they did do. a 5-1 home win did the trick.

Saturday night: Not so good, in fact we drew a blank. We could have had a all three right if Giants had won prior to the shootout and settled it in overtime whilst both Clan and the Flyers won in regulation when we thought they'd go beyond 60.

Sunday night: Two out of three as both Cardiff and Manchester won as expected in regulation 60 minutes. Caps demolished a hapless Blaze in regulation too, compared to our overtime prediction for the hosts.

So overall 3 out of possible 7, and it could have been oh so much better. We'll do the sums next week but will leave you with this: Coventry must have known we had no confidence in them as they liked the Twitter predictions we made - namely a winless triple header. Sorry guys, but if we were Blaze fans then we'd be as gutted as anyone. But we're not. Your luck will change soon, not sure when but it will. Just keep smiling and believing, 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