GAME THREAD: Steelers v. Panthers.. Sun, 26th December.

[BontSteeler]

Martin Latel scores the 5th to bag the 2 points on boxing day.

Happy Days.

[Sully]

We’re making he’s work of these games.

Some of the goals we conceded tonight came from being weak on the boards and giving a crazy face off by icing the puck from the red line initially. Both simple errors.

[Jayboy]

We’re making he’s work of these games.

Some of the goals we conceded tonight came from being weak on the boards and giving a crazy face off by icing the puck from the red line initially. Both simple errors.

We're finding a way to win games while not playing at our best, I will take that under current circumstances, it's true we are grinding out wins when we should be finishing off teams but show me a consistent team at the moment.. Like I said in previous threads I don't think playing with Covid and the Covid protocols hanging over everyone's head we can't judge to harshly in my opinion..
I've never been a happy clapper has some label it, I don't like the term personally has it implies something not nice, and in the past have been particularly vocal in my opinions if I felt it was necessary to call the team out!
But I honestly can't fault the team and the effort at the moment once you take into account the stress caused by influence outside the club and players control..

I prepare to get flamed.. Lol

Jayboy

[smbmetal]

Brilliant 1st period, reminded me of why I fell in love with the game in the first place, fast paced, good hits, good goals. A few handbags.

2nd and 3rd periods were a more difficult watch for me. The game was scrappy, but no way did Nottingham deserve anything from that game.

Our PP was poor, wasting a long 5 on 3 and we were also poor in the face off circle.

Rok was average for me and would want their 3rd back. No issues with their 2nd goal. Players are allowed in the crease as long as there’s no contact with the goalie. I think a few in the crowd could do with brushing up on the rules.

https://hockeyanswered.com/can-you-be-i ... ie-crease/

Not sure the crowd was 9,200+ as stated on the EIHL website, but easily the biggest crowd of the season.

Well done lads, a nice late Christmas present.

[Nathan]

Brilliant 1st period, reminded me of why I fell in love with the game in the first place, fast paced, good hits, good goals. A few handbags.

2nd and 3rd periods were a more difficult watch for me. The game was scrappy, but no way did Nottingham deserve anything from that game.

Our PP was poor, wasting a long 5 on 3 and we were also poor in the face off circle.

Rok was average for me and would want their 3rd back. No issues with their 2nd goal. Players are allowed in the crease as long as there’s no contact with the goalie. I think a few in the crowd could do with brushing up on the rules.

https://hockeyanswered.com/can-you-be-i ... ie-crease/

Not sure the crowd was 9,200+ as stated on the EIHL website, but easily the biggest crowd of the season.

Well done lads, a nice late Christmas present.

They count tickets sold even if they don't attend.

[Doom]

I have to say it looked full to me.

As for the game, I thought we deserved the win. Throughout we had the better quality, but if we want anything out of tomorrow we've got to improve in the faceoff circle.

Excellent Boxing Day result, more of the same tomorrow please.

Regards

Doom

[Nathan]

I have to say it looked full to me.

As for the game, I thought we deserved the win. Throughout we had the better quality, but if we want anything out of tomorrow we've got to improve in the faceoff circle.

Excellent Boxing Day result, more of the same tomorrow please.

Regards

Doom

There were the odd seats around us empty.

[paul johnston]

The Panthers were decent on the forecheck early in the first period which caused us some problems but we were pretty strong after that for the remainder of the period and easily deserved the 3-0 period break scoreline.
The break came at the wrong time, gave the guys a chance to mentally slacken off along with the Panthers a chance to regroup. I thought we were dreadful second period.
The third period was slightly better, I dont agree with the coach and captain saying we know how to see out the close game was the reason for this, I just think we managed to up the tempo and our better quality showed.
I cant agree that it's about day to day worry/issues with covid when they can be pretty decent one period then so bad the next. (Sorry Jay).
We've got to find a way to get Hodgman on form. He isn't currently to me anyway looking like the player I was expecting. He's lost his mojo. Early doors (in the season) he was directing guys where to be at faceoffs, was very vocal on the ice, now he isn't bothering. He looks to be a confidence guy with no confidence at moment.
I really enjoyed that first period, the hockey and intensity was good, the rest of the game was not so good but another W in the win column.

With regards to whether full crowd or not. I suspect it probably was a sellout, but a few not there on the night due to covid related issues.
I do think it's sad that there are fans who are too selfish to wear a mask at the game when it is the current rules.

[Doom]

I have to say it looked full to me.

As for the game, I thought we deserved the win. Throughout we had the better quality, but if we want anything out of tomorrow we've got to improve in the faceoff circle.

Excellent Boxing Day result, more of the same tomorrow please.

Regards

Doom

There were the odd seats around us empty.

I was expecting quite a few empty spaces around me, but it seemed to be full.

I suspect in terms of ticket sales it probably was a sell out. Whilst waiting for my mate in the pub I did have a look at the online ticketing and there must have only been a couple of hundred seats still available, so with the inevitable walk ups I would guess it was technically a sell out.

I'm not sure what they base attendance on, but I would guess it's ticket sales as you suggested above.

It's always great to see the arena so full, especially when you consider the issues at the moment. We could only dream of crowds like that under Norton Lea, so a big thumbs up to the Smith family and all those who've helped them move our club forward.

Regards

Doom

[Jayboy]

I think you will find I said it can effect their consistency and to me something is, and the stress levels and uncertainty of their current situation with themselves, friends and family here and back home and whether they will be playing week in week out would do that, look at the Ellerby interview its wrote allover his face and even his words, yes they try and put a posative twist on things but the mental side of things can't be a good as when you don't have a worry in the world. I don't say this as an excuse.. Most folk I know are having real issues dealing with this why would the hockey players be any different!
It's not a reason on its own for bad game play, for sure, but if you add it in to the recipe, then getting back on it when you know your playing bad isn't quite has easy.. Just my opinion though...

Jayboy