Blaze Weekender

[Joesteeler]

That wasn’t great at all

Just 6 5on5 goals in 4 games, it’s concerning.

I’m afraid 5 on 5 the team is playing as their CV’s suggest, a lot of effort but not much output. 4/5 of our forwards barely reached double figures in points production the last year or 2.

Also, is it me or does McNally just not look interested at all in being here? He played well, but everything from being called onto the ice to leaving the ice at the end just looked disinterested

Cardiff will muller us if we turn up like that next week

[smbmetal]

That was awful.

I didn't see one line put Blaze on the back foot tonight, it looked like a game between two similar quality teams.

The only positive I got out of tonight was Greenfield, he really does look like the real deal.

Still early doors, but Belfast look a mile ahead of us all.

Regards

Doom

Not seen the game, but am pleased to hear we seem to have a very good number 1 goalie if the early signs in the few games are to be believed.

Belfast’s pre-season with a couple of Champions League games thrown in should get them off to a flying start as they will have been playing at a much higher tempo. Unless they pick up a few injuries of course.

[Jayboy]

It's early to have any solid evidence and I will give it at least a month of actual match play before I commit, but all I saw last night was very much a carbon copy of the last 3 seasons.. With maybe a glimmer of a couple of shinning stars.. Greenfield, Petgrave Raska etc, but there were a couple that were awful too, Pitule for example just didn't show up last night! I would be looking around at cover again, because he just didn't cut it..

[smbmetal]

It's early to have any solid evidence and I will give it at least a month of actual match play before I commit, but all I saw last night was very much a carbon copy of the last 3 seasons.. With maybe a glimmer of a couple of shinning stars.. Greenfield, Petgrave Raska etc, but there were a couple that were awful too, Pitule for example just didn't show up last night! I would be looking around at cover again, because he just didn't cut it..

Yes, it’s early but we will have had 5 pre-season games which is a decent start.

If this side is very much a carbon copy of previous Fox seasons then I don’t think that will be enough to win the league.

We need the shining stars you’ve mentioned to be better then previous seasons if we have a chance.

Looking forward to the Cardiff game which will be my first game. For me, we need to make a big statement in that game with a win.

[Jayboy]

Well i am being accused over on twitter of being ridiculously negative, but I can only call what I see and to me while I can admit there are sparks of a good team, last night was very much vanilla to me, some outstanding players and especially Greenfield, but very much a Fox team similar to the last 3 he has put out, true those teams have been close but I dont see (I wish I did) yet and major improvements and any other season under Fox.. I have to clarify that before the High contrast orange blinker brigade dive on my comments, I will give it my usual 4/6 weeks and see if the team gel and improve considerable and as always I will be at those games to see for myself, rather than some of those who criticise my opinions who dont show up week in week out...

[Doom]

It was very hot yesterday and they did mention in the interviews that the ice was poor again, so maybe judge them properly when they've played on good ice.

An ongoing concern for me is faceoffs, according to the gamesheet we won 15 and lost 27 for a pathetic 35%.

Pitule won 2 and lost 5
Neumann won 3 and lost 6
Raska won 3 and lost 8
Allen won 3 and lost 4

We really need to improve in this area if we want to compete.

Regards

Doom

[smbmetal]

Well i am being accused over on twitter of being ridiculously negative, but I can only call what I see and to me while I can admit there are sparks of a good team, last night was very much vanilla to me, some outstanding players and especially Greenfield, but very much a Fox team similar to the last 3 he has put out, true those teams have been close but I dont see (I wish I did) yet and major improvements and any other season under Fox.. I have to clarify that before the High contrast orange blinker brigade dive on my comments, I will give it my usual 4/6 weeks and see if the team gel and improve considerable and as always I will be at those games to see for myself, rather than some of those who criticise my opinions who dont show up week in week out...

I don’t go on social media, but generally people don’t like criticism, even if it’s put across politely with well thought out opinions.

I’ve not seen any games yet only highlights, and yes it’s very early on, but in my 20+ years of watching the Steelers, I usually have a good idea of what success we will have even after the first few games.

I firmly believe that Steelers management and ownership are quite happy with runners up and mediocrity as long as there’s bums on seats and a big 50/50 prize.

Well I think they’ll be in for a shock as when the real costs of higher bills start to bite in a few months, people won’t be able to afford to go to as many games. IF the hockey is only mediocre and I really hope it won’t be, then they’ll not be the big crowds that the Steelers management are used to.

We have to hit the ground running and make a clear early statement that the Steelers are the team to beat.

[Steelman]

According to the game sheet we only had 8 shots on goal all game!! Not sure how accurate that is but you would hope it is.

No matter how bad the ice was that is poor and we will need to be a lot better if we don't want to get rolled over by Cardiff next weekend.

I also agree with the above point, once people are paying £300 a month for gas and electric they won't have the motivation to pay £60+ to take their family to watch what we saw last night. I felt hard done to and I only paid £8.

[Keith Sheppard]

I also agree with the above point, once people are paying £300 a month for gas and electric they won't have the motivation to pay £60+ to take their family to watch what we saw last night. I felt hard done to and I only paid £8.

I think the reality could be that even if we have a grand slam team on the ice, people will financially struggle to afford to come to as many games. The extra charges incurred by using Ticketmaster may well be the straw that breaks the camels back for many families.

[Doom]

According to the game sheet we only had 8 shots on goal all game!! Not sure how accurate that is but you would hope it is.

I saw that but it's clearly incorrect, because it shows us only having 1 shot in the final two periods.

I think the player shot count is probably correct, that shows us out shooting Coventry 22 to 19, which seems about right.

Regards

Doom