GAME THREAD: Blaze v Steelers: Sunday

[Bryan]

slow starts and dreadful pps and indifferent face offs have dogged us all season and were in evidence all weekend.

[BontSteeler]

Belfast win it in OT.....

[KAR]

Great game, I’ve felt Cov were our bogey team all season so not surprised.

Into the play-offs we go.

Well done Belfast, and a great game for Huhtamaa

[smbmetal]

Enjoyed the game despite the loss.

Will Fox become the first Steelers coach not to win a trophy following a grand slam?

I’ve said it already, I believe Belfast will win a 2nd grand slam in three seasons.

Thing is, I don’t actually think they’re a great side this season. They don’t have a stud goalie or anyone in the top few scorers etc. But they have found a way to win 2 out of 2 trophies.

We gave it a great effort but even with many grand slam returnees we haven’t been good enough in many games, not just after the CHL slump. Our PP and PK being poor all season.

Fox gets a free pass for this season with his great accomplishments of last season, but he doesn’t for next season. No CHL to worry about so no excuses. Many fans will be delighted that we play only in our little pond for next season. Me, I’m gutted we’re not in the CHL as I believe it can attract better players.

Onto the lottery of the playoffs. Will the Panthers see yet another trophy won on their ice that’s not them?

[Rendo]

Enjoyed the game despite the loss.

Will Fox become the first Steelers coach not to win a trophy following a grand slam?

I’ve said it already, I believe Belfast will win a 2nd grand slam in three seasons.

Thing is, I don’t actually think they’re a great side this season. They don’t have a stud goalie or anyone in the top few scorers etc. But they have found a way to win 2 out of 2 trophies.

We gave it a great effort but even with many grand slam returnees we haven’t been good enough in many games, not just after the CHL slump. Our PP and PK being poor all season.

Fox gets a free pass for this season with his great accomplishments of last season, but he doesn’t for next season. No CHL to worry about so no excuses. Many fans will be delighted that we play only in our little pond for next season. Me, I’m gutted we’re not in the CHL as I believe it can attract better players.

Onto the lottery of the playoffs. Will the Panthers see yet another trophy won on their ice that’s not them?

I do believe we only had ourselves to blame, little silly mistakes like loosing to Fife etc when we should have won games like that but I do believe that Nottingham still didn't want us to win hence no Jason Grande in net. Anyway onto the playoffs now.
I don't think Belfast will do it but I don't think we will either, I think Notts will want it more than anyone this year I just hope I'm wrong.

[steeler pete]

I don’t think anybody’s thought it would be that close. Nottingham did enough, we fell short. All involved showed faith in the integrity of the league and the sport.

We were weak in some areas and that counted but I’m less disappointed with this than our failure in the challenge cup in Cardiff.

The Playoff can be ours but most of all I don’t want a Belfast grand slam. I don’t think they deserve it. If Coventry continue their current form it could be them.

[Brian]

I don't blame Panthers for resting their goalie, keeping him fit for the playoffs. Pretty sure we would have done the same if we had nothing to play for in the last match of the season. After all, some forumites on here have been calling for Greenfield to be given a rest for some time now.
A disappointing end to the season but a very close one. When we were drawing and giants losing I was ready to jump in the car to go to the Arena celebration !
Still all to play for in the playoffs. All the teams in them have shown they can beat anyone else on the night.
There still may be a late night Arena Celebration !

[Keith Sheppard]

As Brian commented, I have no problem with the Panthers giving Hut’s some ice time in what for them was a meaningless game. Congratulations to any Giant’s fans who may be on this forum. Well done also to our guys who pushed them so close, right up to the last period of the season. Onwards and upwards, on to the playoffs now, hope we can end the season on a high note. (Anyone notice Greener on Saturday night? Last off the ice and taking a moment to acknowledge the crowd, hope I’m over thinking this one.)

[ginger]

Great close game and just not to be. But sorry, why on earth would we get rid of Fox?!

Forced the league to literally the last period of the last game of the season? Sorry, but all you can ask is the team are in the running for trophies every year and we've been that in both competitions so far, and performed in the CHL.

We have no divine right to win trophies, but if you're that close every year, we will win at some point

[Nathan]

I don't buy into all this 'Nottingham don't want us to win the league so they played their back up net minder nonsense.'

Like others have said, we've got to looks at ourselves to see where we came up short.