The Junior Report: Edition 14

Welcome to our latest report from one of our Junior Members. Hope you enjoy it as usual. Thanks as always to George for providing the article.

The Steelers back to their old selves on Saturday; but then absolutely unstoppable on Sunday. A weekend of mixed fortunes it was for the Steelers, gaining two points, scoring 10 goals and conceding 5, along with another shutout from Mustukovs after his unbeaten spell in December. 

Sunday’s game was a chance for the Steelers to get their first win out of four against the giants, and they did that in some style. Scoring 8 unanswered goals in an emphatic shutout.

The night started well when Liam Kirk absolutely roofed one past Whistle after good work from Shudra to steal the puck from the Giants defenceman to set up a one timer that no one saw until it flashed past Whistle, who was to be in for a demoralising night. This was followed by an immediate second goal. Ben O’Connor danced through the Belfast defence to slot past Whistle, which made it 2-0 with less than 30 seconds between each goal.

Then the Steelers made it three. Excellent work from Neiley fell kindly for Aarssen who’s shot rebounded off Whistle for an easy slot for Nelson which made it 3-0 with more than 15 minutes to play in the period. The highlight of the night came when Mr Giraffe himself cocked up in centre ice leaving Jämtin with a 1 on 0 breakaway chance against whistle. There was only one winner and Jämtin slotted it high blocker over whistle. A horrible night for the young man; but a tremendous performance from the lads in their changed strip of blue.

The second period started, the Steelers were on the penalty kill. Ben O’Connor came up good with his second of the night during this kill. He skating down the left wing and let a bullet fly past Whistle to make it 5-0. Brendan Connolly of the Belfast Giants took a check to the head call late in the period, making him leave the game, which meant the Steelers were then on a five minute power play.

During this power play the Steelers scored once. An excellent tip from Marquardt went through the five hole of Whistle, to make it 6-0 on the night. It’s rare you see three shorthanded goals in a night, however the Steelers got just that. Excellent skating from Jonas Westerling after a blocked pass meant that he could saucer pass the puck straight to the tape of Jonathan Phillips who snapped a wrister into a virtually empty net. The Steelers rounded the night off in style when Marquardt got his second of the night near the end. He snapped one high over the changed netminder for the Giants.

They probably weren’t so giant after that hammering. Final score Steelers 8-0 Giants.

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Big Match Preview: Milton Keynes and Belfast

Time once more for your preview of the next set of Sheffield Steelers games.

The games are coming thick and fast as the season heads towards it's final two months. Steelers are on the fringes of the title race, perhaps that blip in form proved costly after all. But no game is an easy game despite what people might think.

Saturday night sees the team on the road, here:

A trip back down to Buckinghamshire to face Pete Russell and his Milton Keynes Lightning. In their last meeting down here, Lightning took the Steelers apart with a 7-2 dismantling that left the sizeable away following very disgruntled indeed. It was also the final game of Andre Deveaux's short spell as a Steeler as he was released by the Club a few days later. Steelers will be hoping for better fortunes this time around for sure.

However, despite their lowly position of 11th, Lightning are not as bad as it appears to be. They have some good quality in their side who will take advantage if you are not on your game. Added to that there's the goaltending of Miika Wiikman but the former Panthers netminder may be a doubt after being carried off in the 7-3 loss to his old club last Sunday. Jordan Hedley deputised for the remainder of that game and could be called upon again when Steelers roll into town.

After this game, which should be a tense one, there's a tough Erhardt Conference game in the House Of Steel on Sunday as we entertain a team that has had our number quite a lot this season.

It's the Giants, which means a return to the Arena for the defenceman that most Steelers fans cannot abide: Spiro Goulakos. Giants this season have been very successful against the Steelers, winning every game bar one which was the first game of the double header in the "O" at the start of this month. They have done this and are chasing down leaders Cardiff in the race for this season's Monteith Bowl, personally I do think it will be between these two come the final standings.

The visitors also have the mercurial and talismanic figure of the evergreen Colin Shields, who had a short but less than successful spell here in Sheffield. Shields always seems to turn it on when he faces us and can be guaranteed to either score or assist on a goal, perhaps one day I'll put a bet on him to do this and make some money out of him. A win for the Steelers would certainly increase the confidence in the team which has been a welcome change in fortunes.

My predictions? Steelers to win in Milton Keynes, possibly 5-3 and then to take two points off the Giants albeit in overtime. I'm going for 3-2 with that one? How do you see them unfolding?

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Hockey Soapbox - Season 3 Week 16 - Seven Up...twice!

Welcome once more to this week's Hockey Soapbox.

It was a good weekend for the Steelers on the ice as they made it a four point weekend with wins against Guildford and Edinburgh. Thus we have a happy soapbox this week. On the panel this week are your Editor-In-Chief Mark, Steel Talk co-owner Jay, a welcome return to Eric, the forthright opinions of Nathan, the glamour of Sarah and Fay as well as Junior Member George. What's on their minds this week? Time to find out then...

1. Five Words On Saturday

Wish I was there

It is about bloody time

New Lines Worked Really Well

Good Win Against Decent Opposition

Much better in fact entertaining

A very good home win

I've missed home ice hockey

2. Five Words On Sunday

Shudra is definitely a forward

What a night for Shudra!

Hat Trick Hero Cole Shudra

Who said Cole equals Defenceman?

Shudra's treble Steelers run riot

Nice to see Cole's Hat-Trick

Cole scores a Hat Trick

3. Thoughts on the first leg of the CC semi-final at Ice Sheffield, has this cost us a possible place in the Final?

Fay: I don’t care where or when it is, as long as we win it haha.

Nathan: The only thing that will cost us a place in the final is not scoring more goals than the opposition. Ice is ice no matter where the venue and who the opponent so unless we turn up and do the business nothing else matters. 

Eric:  The Challenge Cup for me is always going to be a nothing competition. Yes I know! There are those out there who will say it’s a chance of silverware. And rightly so. But it interferes so much of the number one prize. “The League” which to all fans is the holy grail of the EIHL and the thing all British premier league teams want to win.  It’s outdated, it’s a joke. It need a revamp. It needs someone new to come up with a different competition or format. 

Even this year we have given away second leg game, because of ice availability. Come on! The reality is we are playing the number 1 club on their pad on the second leg. And the 1st leg on our practice ice. In front of 2500 (it holds 1500 actually - Ed.). Incredible!!! Missed opportunity in my mind. So a) it's still the egg cup in my eyes and b) yes I believe we have lost a big chance to get to the final. Not impossible, I grant you, but more difficult.

Mark: It's certainly made the task a lot more harder for sure, but if the lads step up and make it hard for the Devils on-ice then this will all be forgotten about. Mind you, we just don't want a repeat of the result the last time we held a CC semi-final in Ice Sheffield. A win is essential and one which gives a fighting chance for the second leg in IAW where our record isn't the best.

Sarah: Due to ice availability it sounds like we had no choice. We can play well at Ice Sheffield, we need at least a 3 goal lead going into IAW. Hope people attend the game if they can to get behind the guys. 

George: I don’t know as yet. We will have to wait and see. We’re not very good in Cardiff therefore it could be a rather difficult task to get to the final. However we want revenge for last year's travesty therefore I believe we will be fired up, our tactics have got to be perfect for the game. But we cannot be lazy, and must play our cards right. We definitely need to win the Home leg. I think we should’ve waited for ice availability. It seems pretty tinpot we are at Ice Sheffield.

Jay: Yes I believe it has, I can't quite believe we are even considering playing it at Ice Sheffield... I won't be attending.

4. Is Mathieu Roy back to his usual self?

Nathan: Not quite but he's on his way and is certainly firing on more cylinders than recently. He'll never get back to the form he had in his debut season but even so if he's going to live up to his 'King' moniker then those goals and performances need to keep coming.

Eric: I don’t think he’s quite there yet, but there are certain signs that he’s more hungrier for goals than of late. Frankly and in the main due to his injury worries taking away his abilities to focus on goal production for the need to protect his body from further damage. Needless to say long may it continue.

Mark: I wouldn't say one hundred per cent but he's almost there. As long as he continues in the vein he is in at the moment then we will benefit as the season builds up to its finale.

Sarah: He’s definitely got some confidence back and looks like he could score every time he gets the puck. He seems to be moving much more freely around the ice. It’s good to see him back on the scoresheet. 

George: I always have thought Roysy is back to himself, sometimes players just have a little dip in performances. He is only human, however I do think he has got better recently. Such an exciting player to watch and he is an all round good guy.

Jay: Not quite I don't think but he is getting better and more like we know he can be, i think his talent and skill set depend heavily on his line mates and developing an understanding with them, more so than with some of the other forwards.

Fay: Definitely, appears to be back fully fit.

5. There are few rumours going round that we are set to sign Ashley Tait on an injury cover deal whilst Dowdy is out, would you be happy with this?

Eric: Ash Tait was a good player. But come on he’s 41, on the slide and looking to get a coaching job or something within the British hockey scene. Hopefully Team GB may offer him the post just vacated by Hutchins, last week. But as a replacement for Dowd, I honestly don't think there is a guy in this country anywhere near good enough to do that. Anyway we have Kirk, destined for NHL draft if you listen to the rumour mill. Shudra (youngest ever Steeler to score an Elite League HT) now playing his natural game, and showing the fans the benefit of that. Rather than the D man the coach was looking at, to fit into the side. Thompson! He ain’t a D man. Never was. Now you have it right. And finally Brown. 

Enough talent there to offset Dowd's injury, I believe. Just give them ice time coach.

Mark: He's got experience, bags of it and would be an extra body we could count on. He also knows the Club but offset that against the development of the youngsters then you have to err on the side of caution. If he's prepared to come and know he's not guaranteed regular ice time then I'm all for it.

Sarah: I think any Brit signing whilst Dowd is out is a good thing. Ashley Tait has experience and he knows the club. He’s not going to be a straight replacement for Dowd but it is a positive if it does happen. The more bodies the better due to the scheduling of games. 

George: No, Ashley Tait is past his best.

Jay: It's an extra body and he is British, his best days are well past him, but has temporary cover then I can't really see much of a down side, he will definitely bring experience and a calm head, I would have preferred to see them talk Jason Hewitt into returning to cover myself...

Fay: Great player and knows the league so well. Unsure where he’d fit in but any cover would be helpful.

Nathan: No. Too old and the new guy Neiley(?) seems to have slotted in quite well so just give Shudra and Kirk more shifts and I'm sure we'll be fine. Dowd is gonna be a big miss though.

6. And finally this week, who would be your first re-signing for 2018-19 if you had to make one now?

Mark: Mad Dog of course, the best new import defenceman in the league this season. A masterstroke of a signing by PT. Closely followed by Moose and Zack. The sooner we tie these key players down the better, and make the rest of the recruitment process a lot easier.

Sarah: Without a doubt, Matheson. He has to be players player of the year. He does the little things right. He’s 33 but I reckon he’s got a year maybe 2 more in him. 

George: Mark bloody Matheson. Absolute must, he is such a skilful offensive defenceman; if he goes we’re done for.

Jay: Zack Fitzgerald would be my go to guy. Of course we have better players on the team and most would say Matheson, but for me Fitzy epitomises the never say die gritty in your face attitude we need more of at our club.. The next captain in me eyes... 

Fay: Just one?! Probably Neiley but there aren’t many I’d swap to be honest.

Nathan: Without knowing the contractual situations of the roster it's difficult to say but Moose, Dowd, Nelson and Fitzgerald are integral to our team but first and foremost Matheson. By far Coach Thompson's best signing of the season and probably the best D man I've ever seen in a Steelers jersey in my short time watching them.

Eric: Ah! Easy question last. M & M. Matheson & Moose.

And that's this week's Soapbox for you; join us for more next time.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

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The Junior Report: Edition 13

Junior Member George is back with some more of his thoughts, many thanks to him for supplying this article.

Recently the Sheffield Steelers have pulled up performances that no one would’ve expected during the month of November and half of December. Currently we are seeing a Steelers side that are short benched, however are also playing with more passion and desire than before, certainly giving glimpses of what we used to witness under Gerad Adams. With the Steelers winning 9 of their last 10 games in all EIHL competitions, title hopes are certainly looking more likely than they were back in mid December. Still a long way off the top, but scoring 14 goals and conceding 4 this weekend, certainly gives us more hope than we had during a jagged start to the season. 

This weekend we played the Guildford Flames on home ice, scoring our first 7 and only conceding 3 on home ice. It was actually the most we had scored at the Arena in a league game. We scored 8 twice at Ice Sheffield covering two wins against the Dundee Stars at our second home. The Steelers then travelled to an Edinburgh Capitals side who are having a horrible season in terms of getting results, they had picked up slightly in form recently, but the Steelers would always prove too strong for the Scottish outfit. However since the caps aren’t necessarily world beaters, this was a big opportunity for young Cole Shudra to step up to the mark, and he did just that. Scoring his first goal for the Steelers, his second goal as a Steeler, and then his first hat trick for the Steelers, which contributed towards an excellent man of the match performance for the young lad from Rotherham. 

19 years of age, he became the youngest Steeler to ever score an Elite League hat trick. An unbelievable achievement, taking the title off of the disgraced Tom Squires. 

The Steelers next two games are very tough tests for the lads in orange. Milton Keynes away proved stupid earlier in the season being well beaten by a very average MK team, which was also the last game for Andre Deveaux. After his temper tantrum killed the game for us, we couldn’t gain any momentum. Therefore losing. We realistically need to be beating sides like MK, and given our current form I believe we will go into the MK game well, and come out 4-1 winners. 

On Sunday we have possibly the biggest game of the season so far, against the Giants. They have been proven our bogey team this year, however we got them away with a three two win earlier this month. A big test at home against old Keefer's Giants, however I think this will be another four point weekend. I believe the Steelers will come out 5-3 winners in this one. The Steelers have proven their worth recently and need to carry on this momentum to go on to win more games.

I still reckon the league is within our grasp.

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Shudra's hat trick helps Steelers crush Capitals

Here's our match report from Sunday's game at Edinburgh against the Capitals.

Having scored seven at home on the Saturday night against Guildford, Steelers were on the road again on Sunday and north of the border to face basement club Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield. It was a potential banana skin as Capitals could take any side down if their opponents are off their game plan, but Steelers were hoping this would not be the case. Steelers team news read as you were from the Guildford match which meant Cole Shudra continued in a forward role. Capitals were understrength, as they have been for the majority, but had a new face in goal for the Steelers fans to see for the first time: former DEL goalie of the year Tyler Beskorowany who was also a second round NHL draft pick in 2008.

The game didn't start the way that Paul Thompson and the Steelers wanted as the home side opened the scoring at 2:18, former Chicago Blackhawk Pavel Vorobyev scoring through the five hole of Ervins Mustukovs. It was one of just five shots on the Steelers goal in the opening twenty minutes. On the other hand, Steelers were dominant in offence with Beskorowany being the busier of the two goaltenders for sure. However, by the conclusion of the opening period Steelers had racked up 20 shots on the home goal but astonishingly enough the Capitals still led by that single goal. Was a surprise on the cards?

Five minutes into the second period, the dam broke and as a result the floodgates as well. Andreas Valdix with the feed and Shudra fired home his first ever Steelers goal. Yet the wait for a second goal took six and half minutes, this time Matt Marquardt with the supply and the impressive Eric Neiley scored his third Steelers goal past the Capitals netminder. A minute and half later it became 3-1, Mathieu Roy continuing his good run of goals with the final finish after Miika Franssila and Colton Fretter had set him up: it was Mathieu's 17th of the season and 5th in as many games. Then with just 1:25 left in the period, Steelers scored their fourth of the night. Beskorowany denied Liam Kirk but the youngster showed great intelligence and set up his mate Shudra to tap home and double his goal tally.

The final period was a bit more closer as Edinburgh battled away for a bit more reward but their short bench was still prone to creaking more goals and sure enough, the Steelers scored a fifth: this time at 48:36. Marquardt had been working hard all night and he got on the scoresheet eventually with an angled finish for his 16th of the season. Yet we had a bit of a wait for goal number six, Marquardt scoring his second goal and third point of the evening with a top shelf finish beyond Beskorowany at 58:07: goal number 17 of the season for the Canadian power forward. A minute later, Steelers went seven up for the second night running. Shudra picking up a loose puck and then dancing his way through the Capitals defence before sweetly finishing for a well deserved hat-trick goal and setting a new Steelers record for the youngest player to score an EIHL treble.

Time for the statistics:

Goals: Capitals 1 Steelers 7 

Steelers Scoring: Shudra 3+0, Marquardt 2+1, Matheson 0+3, Aarssen 0+2, Wallace 0+2, Roy 1+0, Neiley 1+0, Valdix 0+1, Kirk 0+1, Franssila 0+1, J.Phillips 0+1, Fretter 0+1, Westerling 0+1.

Capitals Scoring: Vorobyev 1+0, Cazzola 0+1, Plews 0+1. 

Shots On Goal:  Capitals 21 Steelers 54

Powerplay: Steelers 0 from 2 (0% conversion), Capitals 0 from 2 (0% conversion)

Penalty Minutes called: Steelers 4 Capitals 4

Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 20 Saves (917), GAA: 1.00 (2.23), Save Percentage: 95.20% (92.30%).

Man of the Match: Cole Shudra (Steelers), Mike Cazzola (Capitals)

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

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