steeltalk.co.uk

Big weekend.

Need to push last weekend out of the window and get back on track.

8-)

Very tough game against the current form team.

Can only see a Panthers win I’m afraid.

smbmetal wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 19, 2020 6:26 pm

Very tough game against the current form team.

Can only see a Panthers win I’m afraid.

Unfortunately have to agree but I hope for a huge rally from the team. Couldn't bear the humiliation of another 5 something defeat especially at their hands.

Think they’ll lay a beating on unless we can summon our long lost character and work ethic from a month ago. 5-2 Panthers.

Massive must win game for both clubs.

Things have changed considerably in the standings over the last few days. Potential we could slid down rapidly to 6th place which puts a huge dent in Aaron Fox’s rebuild since it will be only 1 place higher than last year. Not a great return for Tom Smiths money. But on the plus side we do get more bums on seats.

Huuuuuge game for both!

They are the in form team but the best thing about these games is form can go out of the window. What better chance do we need to get back on track than a visit to the NIC, hoping we pull together and put in a gusty character performance because we are going to need it!

The team has the talent we just need that fight and battle to match them - regardless I can see this being an exciting game with plenty on the line maybe even a couple of fights..... Tousignant will be agitating and we need our 'characters' to keep their composure, we must stay out of the box! Carr will be back in net after playing Whistle last night against the Clan.

I'm excited for this one, we have a lot to prove after 2 zero point weekends and a lot of pressure with Panthers and Devils in the driving seat for the league now but if that doesn't motivate the team then nothing will, I'll go for a tight 5-4 OT win!

From Fox's interview with Pete Spencer it sounds like we could see a shake up in line-up and lines, if so I wouldn't mind seeing:

Lemtyugov-Armstrong-Vallerand - Lemty and Armstrong seem to be a couple but I think they need a sniper on that line to be more effective as they were with Dowdy.
DeLuca-Connolly-Eberle - 3 capable goal scorers, Eberle and Connolly's work rate will hopefully boost DeLuca to play his fast and aggressive style I think he looks better with high energy players like Eberle or Jono.
Kolehamainen-Davies-Sandstrom - this line has already been together and I thought it worked well, a gritty style work man like line. Think they fore-check well together and Sandstrom and Janne both like to play in front of the net and are strong along the boards.
Shudra-Jono-Graham - British 4th line, hopefully will get some time to bring some energy and show what they can do. Someone on Twitter mentioned the option of promoting Graham with his offensive abilities, maybe too soon but from what I've seen of him he doesn't look out of place.

BOC-Davey - never gonna be broken up.
Tron-AJ - tough one who to play....Tron is an easy pick but AJ has been rusty since his return and definitely don't like him and Brock together.
Brock-Hrabel - Brock has had a solid season and think he will stay in. Hrabel is probably our most physical defenceman.

That leaves Bettauer and Liwing to sit although this seems tough as I like both guys and thought they both looked good after returning from injuries - also the 6 above only includes one right shot, so I wouldn't be shocked to see one of the right shot d-men replace AJ. Also with the double header I can see us rotating a couple anyway.

Duba
Kerlin

First of 13 Must win games in a row

Games being webcast too https://www.panthers.co.uk/home/200220-webcast

Panthers are running a webcast for this game. £12

Hell must have frozen over.

Bet you normal service resumes for their next home game.