GAME THREAD: Dundee v Steelers: LEAGUE: Sun 6th Oct

[Bryan]

Not sure these tracking results are any more useful to communicate the game than the final score it. Tracking has us only 47% to win but scoring more goals. This is nonsense.

[Doom]

It doesn't look like it was a particularly good performance tonight, but we'll take the 2 points.

I suspect there are a few things which need sorting, faceoffs being one of those.

Still 100% domestically....let's keep it going.

Regards

Doom

[paul johnston]

We were average.
First line continued to misfire, especially Watling whose form is puzzling. Vally was good until injury, the fourth line played good stuff too. Juus and JJ were great.
A lot to work on domestically, maybe too focused on CHL.

[Bryan]

I was beginning to wonder the same. It may not even be conscious. Just not wanting to get injured before an overseas trip. It would be understandable. However don’t underestimate Stars. They played with a flare and vivacity I wasn’t expecting. Plus their netminder had a blinder. How often have you seen a side let in 6 goals and the goalie gets MOM. OK to be fair only 5 really as the ENG certainly wasn’t his fault.

[greeny]

good victory after a long trip, and main goal of getting 2 point achieved. again not playing brilliantly but getting the points, this is what you look for in a title contender team.

[ginger]

After last year, we get everyone's best. Get used to it folks, it ain't gonna be a (relative) cake-walk that last year was.

Think how we've stepped up against 'better' opposition in CHL - that's what teams are doing against us.

Are there a couple of things that need sorting? Probably. Are we only 10 games in to the season? Yes. Are we 100% domestically, yes.

[mark]

After last year, we get everyone's best. Get used to it folks, it ain't gonna be a (relative) cake-walk that last year was.

Think how we've stepped up against 'better' opposition in CHL - that's what teams are doing against us.

Are there a couple of things that need sorting? Probably. Are we only 10 games in to the season? Yes. Are we 100% domestically, yes.

Retaining a title is always harder then winning it the first time, others will study your game, work on tactics that will counteract how you play and try and recruit players to implement that, fail to turn up and we will certainly lose games. The CHL is a different beast, we are not the favourites and up against much stronger teams who are expected to attack us and win, can't imagine Zurich wanting to play a defensive trap game against us which can give us opportunities with our speed.

[ginger]

After last year, we get everyone's best. Get used to it folks, it ain't gonna be a (relative) cake-walk that last year was.

Think how we've stepped up against 'better' opposition in CHL - that's what teams are doing against us.

Are there a couple of things that need sorting? Probably. Are we only 10 games in to the season? Yes. Are we 100% domestically, yes.

Retaining a title is always harder then winning it the first time, others will study your game, work on tactics that will counteract how you play and try and recruit players to implement that, fail to turn up and we will certainly lose games. The CHL is a different beast, we are not the favourites and up against much stronger teams who are expected to attack us and win, can't imagine Zurich wanting to play a defensive trap game against us which can give us opportunities with our speed.

Exactly, Mark.

Panthers are a good team this year. They'll trouble any team who doesn't turn up. We dominated that game and could easily have been ahead or level going in to the 3rd.

I suspect a few in Dundee were playing for their job too, while we may have had one eye on tomorrow.

We had close games at the beginning of last year, before we then seemed to get in to a groove where we kept finding ourselves 3 or 4 up after 15 minutes. The games became easier then, especially with how good the D and Greenfield were playing. Forced teams to open up as they chased the game and we would take full advantage.

[Doom]

I've just been having a look at a few stats on the EIHL website and when you combine CC and league games, Guimond currently tops our +/- overall.

I mention it because when he signed I was a little underwhelmed, probably because I was expecting Betker to sign.

It's good to see how well Guimond appears to have settled in.

I guess one of the biggest concerns for Fox at the moment will be the powerplay, which is currently running at 13% in the Challenge Cup. It is 33% in league play, but we've only had 3 powerplays to date in that.

The powerplay was a major part of our success last season, so we really need to get it firing again if we want to keep our noses ahead of Belfast. Most of the players remain the same, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it starts clicking again.

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

I've just been having a look at a few stats on the EIHL website and when you combine CC and league games, Guimond currently tops our +/- overall.

I mention it because when he signed I was a little underwhelmed, probably because I was expecting Betker to sign.

It's good to see how well Guimond appears to have settled in.

I guess one of the biggest concerns for Fox at the moment will be the powerplay, which is currently running at 13% in the Challenge Cup. It is 33% in league play, but we've only had 3 powerplays to date in that.

The powerplay was a major part of our success last season, so we really need to get it firing again if we want to keep our noses ahead of Belfast. Most of the players remain the same, so I'm sure it's only a matter of time before it starts clicking again.

Regards

Doom

Timing still a little off on the PP. Also teams are doing a good job of taking away the pass through the box from the 2 half wall shooters to each other, which we ran riot with last year.

It'll come good - the 3rd period PPs against Nottingham looked dangerous.

Guimond has settled really well. Sometimes just takes a little while to find feet in new systems, and how to use their skillset in the role the team needs from them. I've said before, Fox's systems are demanding, especially on D. Unless you've played a similar system already, I imagine it's hard to transition to initially.