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Don't write off the Steelers
Photograph of Colin Shields in action against the Sheffield Steelers courtsey of Michael Cooper: www.michaelcooper.com.
BLOG FROM DOOR 8
On Saturday the Giants face last years League and Play off champions, the Sheffield Steelers. Love them or hate them the Steelers are one of those teams that the score can never be predicted, especially this season as they have lacked the firepower they had last season but have still managed to pull out results against the big teams (including here at the Odyssey at the start of the season). They have been languishing in the bottom half of the league and, battling all season to regain some ground in the EIHL, which will not be easy in one of the tightest seasons in recent years. Their league form has been out of character, almost bizarre - especially considering how well they have done in non-league competition. They defeated the Nottingham Panthers for the "Charity Shield", they made it through to the Challenge Cup semi-finals and most impressive of all, they took this form to Europe to progress to the semi finals in the Continental Cup against European opposition. Their success in winning all three matches has thrust them into the finals in France later this month. Their heroics in Europe have been impressive, and I have to say I will be dead chuffed for them if they bring that one home.
You knew you could never write off David Matsos and his team, given their form last year, and after making some changes they are now making some signs of progress. They are getting good results here and there and are hot on the heels of the Newcastle Vipers. It will take a monumental effort for them to be in with a shout of a league title this year or to catch the Blaze or the Giants, but they can still pick up some silverware this year, as I said they are still in the Challenge Cup and are already in the Play-offs where they are in line for a hat-trick of trophies.
The Steelers have been plagued (as most teams have) by bad luck. It happens a lot at this level, but sometimes things snowball and teams and fans have to think at times 'what do we have to do here to catch a break?'. When Matsos had to make changes, he dropped Jeff Hutchins (seemingly a mistake as Hutchins is playing out of his socks for the Edinburgh Capitals and making a difference) and went to replace him with former Cap Joe Dustin who pulled out at the last minute. They also had bad luck with injuries, losing their goalie Kevin Reiter and stalwart defenceman Scott Basiuk. Last year's all-star defenceman-turned-forward Rod Sarich was also injured and only returned mid-December. In addition to losing Reiter, their replacement Andrew Verner pulled his groin when the Steelers were in Belfast, leaving young Brit Dan Green to keep the puck out of the net in his absence. We have seen Green start before this season in the Challenge Cup game back in November. Despite conceding three goals in fifteen minutes, he didn't let his team down and the Steelers lost the game narrowly 5-4. 'Greener' is a decent young goalie with bags of potential and one to watch for the future.
The loss of the two back bones of this team from last year's squad, Jody Lehman and Ashley Tait has shown and must be a real headache to Matsos. Former Giant Matsos has taken a barrage of criticism from Steelers fans and fans around the league and the man has not had a great few months. With his problems with his team not working, he has suffered with the illness to his young son George. We know Matsos, he's a battler. As I've said, his record as Steelers Coach could not have been ignored and true to form, the Steelers are now starting to claw their way up the league table, toe-to-toe with the Edinburgh Capitals (who notably still have three games in hand over the Steelers and are a point ahead going to press) and are now chasing the Newcastle Vipers. If they win all their games in hand over the Vipers, the Vipers go 7th. If all goes in their favour, they can keep up with the rest of the leading pack. This makes it all the more important to take the points from them. Lets not forget last season where they hardly lost a game in regulation after New Year until the title was won. Yes, I know it's a different team, but write them off at your peril.
The true shining stars of the Steelers roster are numerous. Jeff Legue, who has passed his scoring landmark of 100 career assists, with 47 points from 33 games (21+26). There's also Joey Talbot, with 35 points from 33 games (18+17) who is by far one of the most consistent players. Randy Dagenais with 21 points from 33 games, 19 assists from the defenseman. Brad Cruikshank is also making a difference, stepping up as an enforcer when needed but also adding 22 points with 139 penalty minutes. He was seen as the game winner against the Giants in Sheffield at Halloween, dropping the gloves with the 'Sheriff' Sean McMorrow (313 PiMs and counting!) at the opening whistle and setting up Jeff Legue for the game winner later on, adding a goal late on for a 'Gordie Howe hat-trick'.
Last years surprise package (having made the jump to EIHL from the EPL like our own Craig Peacock has done this season), 20-year-old Rob Dowd, had been quiet in the first part of the season, but he is finding his scoring touch again. The young talent that is coming through from the EPL and SNL and IHL, shows that although there is a limit to the amount of imports allowed in each team the British talent is beginning to shine through.
It's going to be a good one. I'm not going to make any predictions, but it's another must win for Steve Thornton and the LBM Belfast Giants - especially if they are going to make good on their New Years resolution to bring some more cups and success to Belfast.
Enjoy the game!
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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 |
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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
