The Junior Report - Weekend Review

The weekend as it was, seen through the eyes of one of our Junior Members. Enjoy the read.

A weekend of mixed fortunes saw the Steelers pick up two points and gaining their first win against an opponent in their conference. 

The weekend was always going to be a tough one for the Steelers, having fallen short to both the Devils and the Giants in the 2016/17 season. The Devils were on a poor run of form, an example of this was a loss to the new boys, Guildford Flames, in Cardiff. I’m highlighting this game because the Giants faced Guildford on Friday night and came out of the game 6-4 winners, which already shows that they were looking a very strong outfit because it seems the Flames are clearly making their mark on the league. However this is a game of hockey, and anything can happen. The Steelers went and beat the Flames 7-1 earlier in the season away from home. Form means nothing this season. Already you can tell that everyone is capable of beating everyone else, and it will be a really tight league this season. My guess is there will be around 4 points separating first and fourth come the end of the season, which will hopefully make for higher energy hockey with more fights, hits and definitely good special teams. 

The first game against the Devils was actually a nice surprise. Having only won one home game against the Devils last season, the Steelers were certainly doing better already this season. They have already earned three points from four against the Devils, who don’t look half the team they were last season. The game started brightly for the Steelers, who scored short handed thanks to good work from Armstrong around the boards, and a little bit of help from Bowns, as Colton Fretter placed the puck into an empty net. In that first period the Steelers were relentless as they followed it up with a powerplay goal, Matt Marquardt with a tip from Fretter's shot that beat Bowns. The Devils seemed shell shocked, as in the second period the Steelers extended their lead. Andreas Jämtin backhanded one past Bowns from a really tough angle and to end forty minutes play with a 3-0 advantage. Then it became 4-0 in the third, Matt Marquardt batted down the puck in mid air, and it beat Bowns who probably wasn’t having the best of nights. Anyway that was the first game done; a good two points from the Steelers who made the Devils look hopeless. 

It’s a shame it wasn’t the same story on Sunday. The Steelers were not the same team that played Saturday. However, they raced again into a two goal lead in the first period, but at the end of the second it was made 2-1, and then halfway through the third it was 2-2, then 2-3. This is where things got a little tasty, a Giants defender put a nasty hit in on Fretter against the boards, where he couldn’t protect himself, and from where I was sat at the back of block 213, it was a clear as day penalty. But the referee had seemingly lost control at this point  and was stood 5 yards away from the hit, yet no call. So then Fretter decided to skate as fast as he could for twenty yards, and check the defender in the back through pure retaliation. However what I would like to know is why no Steelers player stuck up for him, which is subsequently why he went after the same player. But anyway the Steelers made it 3-3 but couldn’t hold out. The Giants then went on and won the game 4-3 in a very weird third period but once again it seems both teams were messed about with by the officials. 

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Rink Round-Up: Week 7

Welcome everyone to this week's Rink Round-Up; your look back at the rest of the Elite League action not featuring the Steelers.

The week began last Wednesday when the two Neil Black owned clubs took on each other at the Braehead Arena whilst the Steelers were winning in Edinburgh. As it was, the Panthers were the ones who were celebrating at the end as they recorded a 5-3 road win thanks to a decisive early third period goal from Josh Shalla. Panthers defenceman Yann Sauvé continued his impressive campaign by bagging a couple of goals whilst Tyler Scofield impressed for the Clan with a brace of his own.

Friday night was the next stop for Elite League action, as newcomers Guildford travelled to Northern Ireland to face the Giants. It proved to be an entertaining game as the hosts edged it by the odd goal in nine. Darcy Murphy's powerplay strike midway through the final period standing up as the game winner after the Flames had drawn level. Both goalies were incredibly busy throughout, Flames Chris Carrozzi facing 51 shots and Jackson Whistle of the Giants, 44. We certainly think the fans had their money's worth.

The following night we had a full complement of fixtures featuring the remaining ten member clubs. Steelers shutout the champions Cardiff as you know, yet it wasn't enough to secure top spot as leaders Manchester overcame Fife 3-2 in the Storm Shelter. It had been a goalless opening period but the second saw the teams share four goals, Fife rallying from a 2-0 deficit. Yet Storm got their game winner at 47:21, former Braehead centre Mike Hammond scoring that all-important goal. Also winning 3-2, albeit in overtime, were Dundee as they made their long trip to Coventry a worthwhile one. Defenceman Riley Stadel scoring a hat-trick in a brilliant personal performance.

With twenty minutes left to play in the NIC, few would have believed that the Panthers and Edinburgh would be locked level at 2-2 but they certainly were. However three goals in just 81 seconds put the game beyond the plucky Capitals for whom Pavel Shegalo made 49 saves. Milton Keynes had five imports missing as they travelled to Braehead but came out of it with credit as the Clan edged past them by the odd strike in seven, former NHLer Ryan Poultny scoring twice for the home team although Francois Verreault-Paul's goal midway through the final period ensured a nervy finish.

Onto Sunday, and all twelve teams were in action. Leaders Manchester suffered a bump in the road as they slipped to a 6-4 loss to a Rhett Rachinski inspired Guildford. The Flames forward netted a treble in two minutes and impressive Swedish defenceman Calle Ackered added two to propel their side to a 5-0 lead before the halfway stage. Storm did rally with two Matt Beca powerplay strikes in their four but they couldn't get any closer than they did. Bouncing back were Cardiff as they defeated the visiting Panthers 6-2, captain Jake Morissette leading by example with a hat-trick despite the visitors outshooting their hosts 33-24.

Fife continued their good form against visitors Braehead and took the spoils with a 5-2 home win thanks to Liam Heelis and Evan Bloodoff who both scored twice for Todd Dutiaume's men. Meanwhile in Dundee, it was a case of role reversal as Coventry defeated the Stars 2-1 thanks to an overtime winner from Adam Courchiane 59 seconds before the game looked set for penalties. Concluding the action, Milton Keynes' trip to Edinburgh proved to be a good one as they recorded a 5-2 road triumph thanks to five different scorers. The two sides had the same amount of shots in the game but the Lightning proved to be that bit more clinical and came away with the points.

And that's your Rink Round-Up for another week..

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Sylvestre seals win in a Belfast battle royal

Here is the match report of Sunday's game in the Arena against the Belfast Giants.

Steelers were hoping to complete inter-conference four point weekend when they entertained the Belfast Giants on Sunday evening. Giants had won the previous two encounters this season and despite their injury woes, had a roster capable of making it three. For Steelers, they were unchanged from the impressive 4-0 win against Cardiff on Saturday which meant the home crowd had to wait that bit longer for the debut of new signing Andre Deveaux. Brady Ramsay sat out again as a healthy scratch. For Giants, they were missing defencemen Cole Jarrett, Kevin Raine and Jim Vandermeer, netminder Stephen Murphy, and forward Dustin Johner. Coach Adam Keefe laced the skates to help plug the gaps.

The home side came out with the same confidence that had seen them win last night, Colton Fretter forcing a save out of Jackson Whistle in the first ten seconds. It was a chippy affair from the start, and midway through the period Steelers went on a 5 on 3 when Brendan Connolly and Ryan Martinelli received minors within ten seconds of each other. At 12:20 Steelers made the two man advantage pay, Mark Matheson's shot getting a tip off out in front by the King himself and the water bottle went airborne. Spiro Goulakos was already making a nuisance of himself, more of which to come later, and picked up a 2+10 for a deliberate check from behind on Levi Nelson which absolutely Fitzy enraged. From the resultant powerplay, Steelers clicked again. Ben O'Connor found Fretter and his pass across the crease found John Armstrong at the back step to arrow a shot into the opposite top corner.

Then it really boiled over. Connolly cross-checked Fitzy and obviously Fitzy gave him a bit of something back. However, referee Mr Hicks saw Fitzy's actions more aggressive and decided to bin the Steelers talisman on a 5 plus game for hi-sticks which looked a bit excessive and left the Steelers down to four recognised defencemen. Scott Aarssen soon followed in the penalty box and either side of the period break saw Steelers on a massive penalty kill. Credit where it is due, Steelers killed it with immense pride which lifted the crowd enormously. But with only four defencemen, Steelers blue line were going to log some serious minutes and Giants racked it up knowing that. Yet in that second period, Steelers only conceded once and it was a bullet of a shot from Jonathan Ferland that beat Ervins Mustukovs despite Hicks looking on game time technology.

Could Steelers hold on for one last period? Well that thought ended less than a minute in the final twenty when who else but Colin Shields pounced on a loose puck and hammered it home. Giants then took the lead at 46:54, Goulakos with a howitzer of his own that flew in. The Giants defenceman then caused the next incident with another questionable hit on Fretter which caused the Steelers winger to see red rag to a bull and go after the Giant. Mr Hicks decided to bin the Steeler on a 5 plus game for checking from behind, and then after a long deliberation sent Goulakos packing too on a kicking match penalty which was when seen, one of the most vile acts I've ever seen in recent seasons at the Arena. The incident lifted the Arena, and it lifted also the Steelers and after some serious pressure, Matheson found space and crashed a sweet shot beyond Whistle for 3-3. It was then anyone's game, and it was going to take one mistake to cost his side. Unfortunately Steelers saw it fall on the wrong side as Andreas Valdix picked up a hooking minor with just under five minutes left. Some zippy passing ended up with Sebastian Sylvestre netting a cool finish as Mustukovs tried to get back. Steelers tried to push again but ran out of time, Giants securing a third win in as many meetings.

Time for the statistics:

Goals: Steelers 3 Giants 4

Steelers Scoring: Roy 1+1, Matheson 1+1, O'Connor 0+2, Armstrong 1+0, Jämtin 0+1, Fretter 0+1.

Giants Scoring: Sylvestre 1+1, Riley 0+2, Goulakos 1+0, Shields 1+0, Ferland 1+0, Saviano 0+1, D.Murphy 0+1, Connolly 0+1.

Shots On Goal:  Steelers 32 Giants 29

Powerplay: Steelers 2 from 5 (40% conversion), Giants 1 from 5 (20% conversion)

Penalty Minutes called: Steelers 58 Giants 47

Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 25 Saves (357), GAA: 4.09 (2.41), Save Percentage 86.20% (92%)

Man of the Match: Jonathan Phillips (Steelers), Colin Shields (Giants)

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Super Steelers shutout the Champions

Welcome to the match report from Saturday's home game against the Cardiff Devils.

Having picked maximum points from their last two games, Steelers headed into a huge home clash with the current league champions Cardiff Devils hoping to acquire their first inter-conference points of the season. The team showed one change from the wins at Dundee and Edinburgh, Mathieu Roy returning at the expense of Brady Ramsay. New signing Andre Deveaux took part in warm up but did not ice; yet received a very warm welcome when introduced to the crowd prior to face-off. Devils gave a debut to Tyson Strachan but were missing Mark Richardson, Patrick Asselin, Joey Haddad and Justin Faryna.

Steelers started with intensity, forcing the champions on the back foot with the confidence of a team who had played two excellent road games recently. However Devils still looked dangerous at times when they fashioned opportunities of their own. Both goalies were tested early, and it was apparent that either a horrific mistake or a flash of brilliance would break the tie. As it transpired it was the former, and a goal that current GB number one Ben Bowns won't want to see again in a hurry. With Andreas Jämtin sitting a hooking minor, Bowns tried to play the puck out and mount another attack when he failed to spot John Armstrong lurking close by. The Steelers centre robbed him of the puck, then spotted line mate Colton Fretter anticipating the play, and set up the latter to fire into the empty net despite a desperate scramble back by the netminder.

The lead was deservedly doubled 72 seconds before the end of the period, and again we think Bowns would want to have this one back too. Fretter's shot on goal getting a decisive touch from the in-form Matt Marquardt out front and the puck squirted through Bowns' five hole for 2-0. It was no more than the team warranted having given their opponent not a moment's peace and quiet. Second period was a bit of a penalty strewn affair but Steelers were still on top and Devils looking disjointed with the absence of some important players being felt. However with just two and a half minutes left in this period, Steelers added a third. More pressure on the Cardiff defence from Roy and Tim Wallace saw the puck squirt free and Jämtin reacted well to backhand his first home goal of the season past Bowns.

Steelers were proving a solid barrier in front of Mustukovs especially on the penalty kill, successfully seeing off a 5 on 3 either side of the start of the third period whilst referee Jan Schmejkal wasn't adhering himself well with some weird decisions: a harsh tripping call on Mark Matheson being just one. However on their fourth powerplay opportunity, Steelers made it count and sealed the game with a fourth goal. Matheson's effort caromed off the boards, and the impressive Marquardt reacted splendidly to divert the rebounding puck in mid-air to the roof of the net for his fifth goal in his last four games. Devils were a well beaten side by then and never looked like getting back into the game; the home side ensuring Mustukovs got his well earned shutout with ease whilst Zack Fitzgerald went close to adding a fifth but saw his shot rebound off the bar with Bowns beaten.

Time for the statistics:

Goals: Steelers 4 Devils 0

Steelers Scoring: Marquardt 2+0, Fretter 1+1, Armstrong 0+2, Jämtin 1+0, Roy 0+1, Wallace 0+1, Matheson 0+1, Nelson 0+1.

Devils Scoring: Er, nobody.

Shots On Goal:  Steelers 33 Devils 24

Powerplay: Steelers 1 from 5 (20% conversion), Devils 0 from 6 (0% conversion)

Penalty Minutes called: Steelers 12 Devils 10

Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 24 Saves (332), GAA: 0.00 (2.27), Save Percentage 100% (92.50%)

Man of the Match: Matt Marquardt (Steelers), Andrew Hotham (Devils)

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Steelers bring heavyweight Deveaux

This morning the Steelers announced a new signing.

Arriving in Sheffield is experienced NHL/AHL heavyweight Andre Deveaux who has showcased his talents and picked up over 1700 penalty minutes in his professional career. Deveaux, who was born in the Bahamas but is a naturalised Canadian, has had spells in "The Show" with both Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers and has had bouts with recognised enforcers such as Shawn Thornton as seen in the picture below:

Deveaux shown here in the white of Toronto grapples with Boston Bruin Thornton

Granted he has not played often recently, some are undoubtedly sceptical that this is a signing that might be the wrong fit for the Club. However, he does provide some size offensively and a bit of presence which reminds me of us signing Guillaume Desbiens when we first signed him. Hopefully he will have a similar impact to "Desi" and toughen up the team whilst also letting the team rely upon just Zack, and Brady to a lesser extent, when it comes to dropping the gloves.

Quite where Andre fits in the team line-up is obviously down to Paul and Jerry, but they have obviously decided we need to have more about us and it will stop other sides bullying the Steelers on ice like they have done on some occasions this season. Andre has been signed for the remainder of the season so could this lead to someone being released when the roster is fully healthy? We shall have to see about that. He should make his bow this weekend when we face the Devils and Giants in back-to-back home games.

Welcome to Sheffield Andre!

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