GAME THREAD: Manchester Storm v Sheffield Steelers, Wednesday 22nd February 7:30pm

[Jayboy]

Midweek game v Manchester, another must win...

Game Poll: Steelers win?

[mark]

If we want trophies then every game from here in is a must win.

[jas]

Earlier in the season I would have stuck my neck out and predicted a win but, on recent form, I'm far from confident.

[JoeySlats#13]

Really hoping we have Ciampini back for this one, firstly he's excellent on an individual level at all aspects of his game, secondly it would be good to get that first line reunited and get some of the other lines going consistently together.

Always a tough game but our defending and goaltending especially have been excellent and if there's a rink where you're going to get your offense going again the Shelter is a prime candidate due to its size. Plenty of shots hopefully and if can keep the structure and Greenfield can continue his run of form (basically all year anyway!!!) I'm confident we can get a result, although it's inevitable DeLuca will score right? Always going to against us and he's on some what of a hot streak.

Think we'll lineup something like:

Ciampini-Allen-Neumann
Latal-Connolly-Vallerand
Kristo-Dowd-Mosey
McNally-Whistle-Jono

Nevalainen-Petgrave
Ackered-Jones
Schulze-Davey

Greenfield
McLaughlin

Unfortunate for Pitule as I assume he will sit, but I thought he played well on Saturday (didn't see Sunday), I think we need McNally in his next gear, if he's going to play on the 4th line hopefully we see a grittier, more physical game from him, which seems to favour him more.

I'll go for a 5-3 Steelers win!

[smbmetal]

If we want trophies then every game from here in is a must win.

Exactly this. Never an easy place to play for any team, however I do fear for us in our current poor form only managing to score 1 goal in 6 periods of play against an 8th placed team.

The only positive being we look strong defensively.

Steelers 4-3 OT win.

[Bryan]

Surely we must sit Connolly not pitule. He has been a liability all season and his selfish petulant penalty that lost us the semi final was the last straw for me. At storm in particular I can see him responding to their aggression with I’ll judged retribution which is what inevitably gets penalised.

[mark]

Scratch Dowd and Latal due to illness, Connolly and Pitule both play

[Bryan]

Oh dear two of our very best. We have just become second favourites in my view

[Nottonsteeler]

Has the stream gone live yet folks?

[Bryan]

Just on was reduced to 5 before