Giants V Steelers; Sun 3rd Dec: GAME THREAD : LEAGUE

[mark]

Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqBtIG3Cfw4

[mark]

Now that I've had a chance to watch.. Highlights are missing the stick work by Sato and the inexplicable decision by the Ref to initially signal for a penalty, and it would likely have been a 2+2, only to lower his arm as play swung back towards the Belfast goal, he clearly saw it and I'm pretty sure we don't play a football style advantage rule so what the hell was he doing ?. Besko looked slow and uninterested, a shadow of his previous self but in that respect he looked like much like the rest of his team. They have already lost 8 games, they only lost 11 in the league all last season. We looked very sharp, not depending on any one line, early days but we have the Big Mo rolling, lets hope we don't have any serious injury problems going forward. A very professional weekend from the Steelers.

[Bryan]

On injuries, Sam Jones disappeared quite early on. Hope it’s not too serious, he is excellent this year. Anyone know more?

[mark]

Right at the end, Watling and Davey Phillips wishing each other a merry xmas ?

[ginger]

Watched the highlights as can't bear the Belfast commentary so didn't get the stream. Besko really looks off, definitely carrying an injury as was excellent in CHL. No idea why they haven't signed an import netminder to help cover, unless the market is really bad currently.

The 3rd goal is interesting as I saw a lot on twitter complaining about a hand pass, but seeing as Diffley is in his own D zone it's fine. Actually a super smart play by Diffley just unfortunate that it hit a Belfast player.

Juusola's snipe on the 4th was gorgeous. Even fully fit Besko isn't stopping that

[mark]

Watched the highlights as can't bear the Belfast commentary so didn't get the stream. Besko really looks off, definitely carrying an injury as was excellent in CHL. No idea why they haven't signed an import netminder to help cover, unless the market is really bad currently.

The 3rd goal is interesting as I saw a lot on twitter complaining about a hand pass, but seeing as Diffley is in his own D zone it's fine. Actually a super smart play by Diffley just unfortunate that it hit a Belfast player.

Juusola's snipe on the 4th was gorgeous. Even fully fit Besko isn't stopping that

Complaining about a hand pass that went to an opposition player ?, oh my giddy aunt whatever next.

[ginger]

Watched the highlights as can't bear the Belfast commentary so didn't get the stream. Besko really looks off, definitely carrying an injury as was excellent in CHL. No idea why they haven't signed an import netminder to help cover, unless the market is really bad currently.

The 3rd goal is interesting as I saw a lot on twitter complaining about a hand pass, but seeing as Diffley is in his own D zone it's fine. Actually a super smart play by Diffley just unfortunate that it hit a Belfast player.

Juusola's snipe on the 4th was gorgeous. Even fully fit Besko isn't stopping that

Complaining about a hand pass that went to an opposition player ?, oh my giddy aunt whatever next.

To be fair, it does hit the Belfast player clean in the face, so can understand somewhat, but it's the non understanding of the rules that gets me. The no hand pass in the D zone has been a thing for ages now.

Mind you, lots of people don't know the rules on pucks being redirected off a players foot, as evidenced by Friday nights game!

[NinjaBreadMark]

Watched the highlights as can't bear the Belfast commentary so didn't get the stream. Besko really looks off, definitely carrying an injury as was excellent in CHL. No idea why they haven't signed an import netminder to help cover, unless the market is really bad currently.

The 3rd goal is interesting as I saw a lot on twitter complaining about a hand pass, but seeing as Diffley is in his own D zone it's fine. Actually a super smart play by Diffley just unfortunate that it hit a Belfast player.

Juusola's snipe on the 4th was gorgeous. Even fully fit Besko isn't stopping that

Complaining about a hand pass that went to an opposition player ?, oh my giddy aunt whatever next.

To be fair, it does hit the Belfast player clean in the face, so can understand somewhat, but it's the non understanding of the rules that gets me. The no hand pass in the D zone has been a thing for ages now.

Mind you, lots of people don't know the rules on pucks being redirected off a players foot, as evidenced by Friday nights game!

I'll be honest, I wasn't aware until recently of that rule being different in the D-zone... but to be honest, even without that subtle change, the puck went to an opposition player before any other Steelers touched it.

It was rather funny to watch though, like a glitched out video game or a very poorly choreographed fight scene where one guy throws a punch and another falls down from several feet away!

[Doom]

Having watched the highlights it's quite clear Besko isn't the same player he was. Last season he would have saved at least two of those.......Is it injury restricting his movement or lack of confidence?

My mate reckons when you look at the stats Belfast aren't giving up any more good goal scoring chances than we are, which suggests the difference in goals comes down to the quality of netminding at the moment.

When things aren't going well lady luck does seem to go against you. From the hitting of the post early on, to the comical incident with the Diffley clearance taking out one of their players so we could break.....It really isn't going for Belfast right now.

Last season when they had struggles due to injury, I still thought they'd come good and probably overtake us. This season I'm far less concerned, because they just don't have the same quality of players. Conway was the best player in the league and a massive loss to them. They've also lost their 3 best defencemen and replaced them with players I wouldn't rate as highly. Throw an off form Besko into the mix and I'd be very surprised if they get back into the title race this season unless they throw a load of money at new imports/Brits.

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

Watched the highlights as can't bear the Belfast commentary so didn't get the stream. Besko really looks off, definitely carrying an injury as was excellent in CHL. No idea why they haven't signed an import netminder to help cover, unless the market is really bad currently.

The 3rd goal is interesting as I saw a lot on twitter complaining about a hand pass, but seeing as Diffley is in his own D zone it's fine. Actually a super smart play by Diffley just unfortunate that it hit a Belfast player.

Juusola's snipe on the 4th was gorgeous. Even fully fit Besko isn't stopping that

Complaining about a hand pass that went to an opposition player ?, oh my giddy aunt whatever next.

To be fair, it does hit the Belfast player clean in the face, so can understand somewhat, but it's the non understanding of the rules that gets me. The no hand pass in the D zone has been a thing for ages now.

Mind you, lots of people don't know the rules on pucks being redirected off a players foot, as evidenced by Friday nights game!

I'll be honest, I wasn't aware until recently of that rule being different in the D-zone... but to be honest, even without that subtle change, the puck went to an opposition player before any other Steelers touched it.

It was rather funny to watch though, like a glitched out video game or a very poorly choreographed fight scene where one guy throws a punch and another falls down from several feet away!

One of the most eye opening things I did was take a refs course for roller hockey a few years ago, and reffed for a few years. Honestly, not even players know all the rules. Mostly for situations that are less common, but even down to wording on calls like charging.

It's one of the reasons why I'm less critical of refs these days (unless I'm playing!). Our view in the stands or on a stream is so different to what refs see. And we're watching one thing on the ice. Ref is thinking about their position, watching the puck, whilst being aware of other players, and where the other ref is. It's way harder than most fans realise