GAME THREAD: Flyers v Steelers: League: Sun 2nd Nov

[smbmetal]

Highlights: https://youtu.be/DSVJHwJWRvo?si=efVIdyhVQgesVxAS

Looked like we were bullied from the highlights, with only Tremblay sticking up for himself. Diffley well beaten in the fight, but credit to him for giving it a go.

Thought Heard was supposed to be a bit of a hot head? He got shoved well after the whistle, but just stood and watched.

Of course only the final score matters.

I’m afraid I do struggle with Fox’s non contact hockey at times.

It's so not non contact hockey! It's just not getting out of position by attempting hits when stick on puck and wrapping the guy up is the better play.

Tansey literally went for 2 open ice hits earlier in the year, missed on both and led to odd man rushes. Harper has been crushing guys along the boards, and plenty of physical board play. But guys skate far to well these days and the lack of slowing guys up with hooks and holds now means it's way harder to land big open ice hits.

In terms of the pushback against Fife, there's an element of not wanting to get sucked in to their game - who does it benefit more if Heard fights Hunt (for example)? The guy who's a point per game player Vs Hunt who puts up more PIMs in a game than goals he'll score in a year? We're losing at that point so need to worry about getting level, not winning a fight that puts points scorers in the box for 5 min.

Just to make sure I’m being clear with my post above.

I’m not wanting players to fight all the time. Far from it.

I’m just looking for some push back rather than just being passive and not sticking up for yourself. Doesn’t mean fighting.

For me, under Fox, we on the most part, completely shy away from any type of physical confrontation, which used properly for me, can completely turn the game in our favour. Whilst not in this game, I’ve lost count how many times Greenfield has been bumped and we’ve done absolutely nothing about it.

We don’t counter that by fast and skilled play either. There’s not been a game so far this season that I’ve thought. What a great game after watching it.