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I was chatting with one of my pals recently and we both think that despite a great start and mid-season, there's a very strong possibility that we may win nothing this season.

Whilst we have to hope that the two new signings will help make a difference I don't think we've had one good performance in 2022. Or at least not in the games I've seen

Both Cardiff & Belfast look very strong.

There are some valid reasons for why we have struggled of late, but we're not the only team with injuries etc.

On current form and now losing to bottom of the league, I have to say I'm dreading the Belfast games. It also sounds like we could be without Valley as well for longer. This is not the time to make excuses, rather for the team to step up.

Like Paul and Jayboy have already said, this team is currently lacking the old Steelers spirit. A winless season would be very disappointing considering the player budget and number of allowed changes we've made this season.

Missing Vallerand and Connolly for sure but we're scoring goals without the former but missing the grit and intensity of the latter.

Neither however can rectify our sloppy D core and its there where I believe our problems lie and what may contribute to us having a trophyless campaign.

I'm sure the powers that be will still remind us though that we've been playing with injuries and shortbenched yadda yadda yadda...

Nathan wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 03, 2022 2:19 pm

Missing Vallerand and Connolly for sure but we're scoring goals without the former but missing the grit and intensity of the latter.

Neither however can rectify our sloppy D core and its there where I believe our problems lie and what may contribute to us having a trophyless campaign.

I'm sure the powers that be will still remind us though that we've been playing with injuries and shortbenched yadda yadda yadda...

To be fair a great deal of that is true... I just dont think the replacements so far have come close to actually replacing what we lost.. Connolly is a huge loss, not only in the point we lose, but in our style of play.. yeah of course he takes some daft penalties but he sure has hell attracts just as many if not more the other way... and the team without him play in a completely different way..

Only the best win silverware, you can be a great team but you need to be the best team.

So far the squad is better than 19/20 I think, that lineup was even worse defensively and our goaltending is the best it’s been since Mustukovs in my opinion.

I’d give the 19/20 lineup the edge going forward however.

The league will be a tough one to win but it’s a unique title in hockey, a loss on the opening day is as crucial as a loss on the final day.

Playoffs is the easiest of the competitions to win, come into a bit of good form at the right time and you’ll be strong contenders, but again you’ll have to beat the challengers (Cardiff & Belfast) to hoist it.

SteelerBlade wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 03, 2022 3:15 pm

Only the best win silverware, you can be a great team but you need to be the best team.

So far the squad is better than 19/20 I think, that lineup was even worse defensively and our goaltending is the best it’s been since Mustukovs in my opinion.

I’d give the 19/20 lineup the edge going forward however.

The league will be a tough one to win but it’s a unique title in hockey, a loss on the opening day is as crucial as a loss on the final day.

Playoffs is the easiest of the competitions to win, come into a bit of good form at the right time and you’ll be strong contenders, but again you’ll have to beat the challengers (Cardiff & Belfast) to hoist it.

A very good assessment for me. Only the best teams win silverware. The effort is certainly there no doubt, but effort doesn’t win trophies on it’s own.

At the moment we are simply not good enough. Let’s hope the 2 new signings are the extra quality that we are missing.

It's funny, I was just thinking about putting up a poll to say either yes or no that we would go on to win the league. Let alone be a trophy less season.

I think we are tailing off at the wrong time results wise (I know I keep on about it, our form has been average for a long time) to win the league. We should beat Storm more often than not in our remaining league games, but then also have Panthers who will take points off us, then the many clashes with the Giants. With our current Injuries to key players who have been above average-good this season-Latal, Vally, Todd, defensive errors and silly penalties conceded, along with the netminding not being as sharp as it was, is going to be hard.
However if those key injured players get back, reduced the defensive lapses and penalties, along with the potentially key introduction of the last day signings, we have a chance. But my feeling for the league is no.

With regards to the playoffs, it can be a bit of a crap shoot but again is our D game tight enough for close games, and has the offensive flair got enough to get us the playoff title.
I'm just not sure.

A big thing for me as mentioned above is the character, heart, desire, bottle, bloody mindedness which used to be Steeler DNA. I'm not sure that is there now but is that just the modern way.

After watching the Dundee game loss. I certainly think this will be a trophy less season. The average age of the squad for me has caught up with us and we look a shadow of our former self.

If we play like we did tonight for the rest if season we look like 3rd in league and not making the final 4.. There is time to alter that trajectory but not a great deal...

Jayboy

For me our defensive frailty that’s the real worry. I can’t see that being sorted now. Dowd seems to have found his goal scoring touch again but no-one else stands out as a regular scorer. So when it comes down to it we don’t have enough fire power to compensate for our defence.

If Vally comes back fit quite soon then we may have a chance for the league but if Cardiff play like they did in the CC semi then they’ll take the playoffs.

Unfortunately I don't think our current team have it in them to win either of the trophies still on offer. Our best players are all injured and watching from the seats.