GAME THREAD: Steelers v Stars: Saturday 28th March

[paul johnston]

First action (after coaching team is set in stone) is looking at the plans for the Brit corps.

I think Fox and the Sheffield organisation as a whole is doing a lot to help this recently (Kudos to Tony Smith and coaching teams). Steele, Lynch, IBN and Watson have all played EIHL minutes this year - I'm excited to see that development route from youth to pro level

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Sure, that's gonna be good over next 2-3 years hopefully however if Fox still coach next year, need a group of Brits that can contribute next year and not get continuously benched by him due to the failures of the top 9 import forwards. We have been at our best under him when we rotate four lines playing fast, hard hockey but have failed to do that 99% ofcthe time this year.

[ekt]

I was having a look at a few stats this morning which I found interesting.

At the bottom end of the regular players:

Ritchie -4
Kelly -1
Shudra -1
Pu +1
Huttula +3
Tansey +4

Regards

Doom

I was looking at these during the period breaks last night. Ritchie is an interesting one - almost a point per game so clearly producing with the puck, but a grim +/- as you say.

To be honest I thought after Richie arrived we picked up, prior to that, after the poor Christmas period, I was convinced we would be overtaken by Manchester and finish down in 5th.

I don't pay much attention to the +/- stats, so this was a bit of a surprise.
Still think we are borderline 4th for the league, not that it matters now,

Finishing 4th, no challenge cup final place and if we don't get anywhere in the playoffs this year would truly be a very poor one.
The best we can hope for is finishing 2nd, no challenge cup final and hope for a playoff win, would that be seen as enough of a success for another year of Fox ?

Can we please stop the "We are No.1" chanting when we score, its cringeworthy,

[Bryan]

Didn't attend last night's game. Couldn't really be bothered tbh.

The problems stated above though have been an issue for a while and I'm afraid it's down to the coach and his no2.

That entire D core needs a rebuild imo. Only Cormier would remain for me.

I understand where you are coming from but Diffley is top of +/- and was the best contributor in the Dundee game with 3 assists and a goal. I can’t see us not wanting to keep him.

[KCHC]

Didn't attend last night's game. Couldn't really be bothered tbh.

The problems stated above though have been an issue for a while and I'm afraid it's down to the coach and his no2.

That entire D core needs a rebuild imo. Only Cormier would remain for me.

I understand where you are coming from but Diffley is top of +/- and was the best contributor in the Dundee game with 3 assists and a goal. I can’t see us not wanting to keep him.

Agreed. Diffley a must keep for me also.

[sunnybank]

Disappointing end to the game.

I’m not an expert in hockey, but Mcadam seemed to have a shocker. Didn’t fill us with hope.

The team didn’t seem up for it though, so unfair to blame the goalie!

[Doom]

Diffley would be near the top of my keep list. He's gone about his business under the radar, but has been a consistent performer this season.

Regards

Doom

[Keith Sheppard]

Disappointing end to the game.

I’m not an expert in hockey, but Mcadam seemed to have a shocker. Didn’t fill us with hope.

The team didn’t seem up for it though, so unfair to blame the goalie!

I don’t t think McAdam had a shocker at all. He pulled off some great stops on more than one occasion when he was one to one with a Stars forward. The previous night he deservedly got man of the match.we’d have had less than three points without him this weekend. For me he’s one of, if not the best addition to the team this year.

[sunnybank]

As I said I’m new to Hockey so have a lot to learn. I was going on the dropped puck at the end to be honest.

I’ll watch closer in future.

The whole team seemed out of sorts and has done for the last couple of home games.

[Keith Sheppard]

I think that out of all the positions, the netminder is the most difficult to judge. There are so many factors to consider, are his D hanging him out to dry? Are the forwards getting back? Are the opposition blocking his sight of shooting lanes etc! Any other player can mess up once and get bailed out by his line mates, a netminder messes up once and a big red light goes on. It’s tough position.

[smbmetal]

Highlights:

https://youtu.be/sUrH0aqjtEs?si=ApHitNGJCKa4GXcZ

I was busy watching my grass grow while this game was on.

Only watched the highlights for the hand bags . Well done Heard. Shame Fox doesn’t allow more of that. Loudest cheers of the game.

Have we ever seen two teams (Fife & Dundee) so far off the final playoff position, 20’odd points ? I think the quality of the EIHL the season has been the worse I’ve ever seen.

Wonder what’s up with Greenfield? McAdam will want a couple of those back I think.

I’d be tempted to give Warburton a go if Greenfield is injured, we don’t want to risk getting McAdam injured as well. . All games are dead rubbers until the playoffs.

My expectations for the rest of this season, is we should reach the playoff final with the amount of time we’ve had to prepare eh Fox?

What a surprise Fox talking about players not ‘buying in’. You’re in charge pal. SORT IT OUT!