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We are working on an archive of matches, stats and players from BIH in the past few years.
A championship feeling
I compose this latest effort still high on adrenaline after the events of last night, the night where my Sheffield Steelers team showed nerves of iron and overcome a stubborn Braehead Clan to clinch their second Elite League title in the space of the last three years. Despite a bit of a wobble in the beginning of the month, the guys got their collective heads back on it and it was an absolute honour to witness those scenes on 20 March 2011. Even the quiet one, my hockey Mom, was in raptures at witnessing this for the first time ever - a virtual newcomer to the Steelers “family” she is. I now think I’ve got a job on my hands possibly, keeping her away from the House of Steel as she’s definitely been bitten by the hockey bug good and proper.
To win it in such, in the end, comprehensive style over Bruce Richardson’s hugely impressive Clan side is the hallmarks of a great team already. Let’s not forget easily that the Clan had blanked us 4-0 in our own barn earlier in the season and also tonked Cardiff 7-1 in Glasgow towards the business end of the season; it really looked a tough ask on paper compared to the run-ins that the other contenders had - the Devils especially. But to fire twelve goals against them in the two games, well that just shows what a professional team motor runs when it’s well oiled and running like a dream. All driven by a rookie player-coach called Benjamin Clarke Simon of Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States of America.
It’s not all about him; big credit also definitely goes out to our former Head Coach Dave Matsos who recruited the majority of the roster including complete unknown Latvian netminder Ervins Mustukovs. Even if Matsos left acrimoniously, he provided the building blocks which made a house that stood firm under increasing pressure. The additionals of bringing back and with a wealth of experience two fans’ favourites in Steeeve Munn and Ashley Tait helped tremendously, with Tait showing why he is one of the celebrated figures in British Ice Hockey.
It’s also got to say that the supporters backing makes a difference to a team, it in effect becomes like an unofficial seventh man on the ice - no further illustrated by the support given on that night against Belfast in Ice Sheffield. Mind you on the Braehead home game, as known as the clincher, the support made by the Clan support was just awesome and I made a new hockey friendship too in a Clan fan by the name of Douglas May. Even though we have differences in hockey obviously and also in football (Doug’s a Rangers man, I’m Celtic daft as you know), the banter was fantastic and I’m sure we’ll be sharing a few beers in Glasgow next season when Clan and Steelers play again. Pleasure knowing you mate, top guy.
In the clincher, five of our goals were scored by defencemen with the top billing going to Steeeve who notched 2+1, what we would have given to have him score a hat-trick. A fantastically popular player on and off the ice, to win the league was a brilliant reward for a guy who plans to hang up his skates once the play-offs are out of the way despite the crowd post-match begging him to have one more season in the Steelers defence. Rod Sarich also nabbed a brace and there were also goals for other popular guys Jerramie Domish, Neil Clark and Jeff Legue (who scored his 40th of the season). Shame Joey (Talbot) didn’t score as Mam and I were hoping for it to happen, after all we had our picture taken with him pre-match as part of our sponsorship deal for him. Another superb player in the class of 2011.
So tomorrow night, the play-offs begin and the road to the NIC. We play eighth placed Dundee Stars and if their recent game at the House of Steel is anything to go by, it promises to be a very interesting match up. We cannot afford to just think we have to turn up and we will win, because if we do then we could be on the end of a rude awakening as they will be up for it as much as anyone who we would face. My play-off beard is looking pretty impressive too, and it will stay until the season officially ends for us Steelers. Mam and my girlfriend can’t wait to see me clean shaven again more’s the pity! Now to see that old friend again after a year’s hiatus in Coventry, tomorrow’s gonna be a hell of a night! Let’s just make it a double for old time’s sake too. Now that would be the cherry on the cake as well Ben staying next season as player-coach! Or am I being far too greedy now….
Follow me also on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hockeybhoy
Mark
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-3 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-5 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-4 |
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| 12th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
2-4 |
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| 11th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
5-8 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
4-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
5-2 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
3-7 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
1-1 |
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| 19th March 2006 19:00 | ||
| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|
- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
