GAME THREAD: Steelers v Storm: Saturday.

[steeler pete]

Just tried to find the goalie mask rule again and the rule book I found was for 2018-2022 rule 200 iii and iv as SMB says on page 123.

Can’t find it mentioned in the most recent rule book.

I don’t think there was a danger on this occasion but as Jayboy says the rules must surely make player safety a priority.

As it is it didn’t affect the result. We put Belfast under pressure now it must be squeaky bum time for them. As I said earlier in the season I don’t think they’re that good so they may yet falter.

We do have to rely on other teams being genuine and playing them as if it matters to them even if it really doesn’t.

[ginger]

I did worry that this might be another Coventry, but the team quickly dispelled that.

Job done and we're seriously in this, but I just can't see where Belfast slip up, despite my belief Sheffield and Nottingham are the best two teams.

Regards

Doom

Belfast play a home and away series with Nottingham last weekend. Nottingham win out they are guaranteed to finish above Belfast. If we win out we are guaranteed to finish above Nottingham. Belfast need 10 points from 6 games. It's ridiculously tight.

Apart from the first 10 tonight, I thought we were dominant. The Tremblay/Leavens/Ciampini line was excellent again. Tremblay has filled the Scott Allen type role that we've missed this year, and Leavens was good again without getting the chances he got last night.

[Clowne57]

I did worry that this might be another Coventry, but the team quickly dispelled that.

Job done and we're seriously in this, but I just can't see where Belfast slip up, despite my belief Sheffield and Nottingham are the best two teams.

Regards

Doom

Unfortunately I have to agree. Neither Guilford or Fife have beaten Belfast this session and Manchester only once I think. Nottingham seems to be coming into good form in time for the playoffs with some excellent goal tending. They are the only ones to burst Belfasts bubble as far as the league goes with us hanging on their coat tails to give us any chance.
I think its the playoffs thats the only chance in preventing Belfast getting the treble but we all know that can be a bit of a lottery at times with some surprising results.
It does make the end of the season interesting with so much still to play for.

[Doom]

I did worry that this might be another Coventry, but the team quickly dispelled that.

Job done and we're seriously in this, but I just can't see where Belfast slip up, despite my belief Sheffield and Nottingham are the best two teams.

Regards

Doom

Belfast play a home and away series with Nottingham last weekend. Nottingham win out they are guaranteed to finish above Belfast. If we win out we are guaranteed to finish above Nottingham. Belfast need 10 points from 6 games. It's ridiculously tight.

Apart from the first 10 tonight, I thought we were dominant. The Tremblay/Leavens/Ciampini line was excellent again. Tremblay has filled the Scott Allen type role that we've missed this year, and Leavens was good again without getting the chances he got last night.

I think we're all hanging our hats on those two games between Nottingham and Belfast.

It's not often it happens, but I was cheering on Nottingham last night in Glasgow, because they really need to be in with chance of overtaking Belfast for them to be 100% focused come that final weekend.

We're certainly playing well enough right now to win all our remaining games, which is what we need to do to have any chance of the title.

Hopefully Belfast will drop another point before they play the Panthers, although it's unlikely with all their games being on home ice.

Considering our 7 losses in 10 games after the CHL, I really didn't think we had any chance of the title this season, so it's a great to be still in with an outside chance.

Come on Guildford tonight.

Regards

Doom

[DiscoRay]

Seems that if opposition has control of the puck/scoring opportunity play is not whistled dead, unbelievable that this would allow a shot at an unprotected netminder.

A similar thing happened with us up in Dundee, but rather than the helmet it was the glove that got taken off by an opposition stick. Play continued and when Dundee got the shot away, shock horror it was glove side! Brine instinctively put out his hand to try and save, before quickly withdrawing it remembering he had no glove, it went in the net and counted as a "good goal" under the same rule.

[mark]

Seems that if opposition has control of the puck/scoring opportunity play is not whistled dead, unbelievable that this would allow a shot at an unprotected netminder.

A similar thing happened with us up in Dundee, but rather than the helmet it was the glove that got taken off by an opposition stick. Play continued and when Dundee got the shot away, shock horror it was glove side! Brine instinctively put out his hand to try and save, before quickly withdrawing it remembering he had no glove, it went in the net and counted as a "good goal" under the same rule.

I'd suggest this ought to be a rule change for next season, a shot towards an unprotected netminder is an unacceptable injury risk, the NHL rule seems to be a better version.

[KAR]

Is the schedule on the Elite League website wrong? Belfast have Fife twice and Manchester once - unless there’s a miracle the league is theirs.

[Brian]

Their last two games are v Nottingham Home and away. Panthers are playing out of their skin at present.
After Manchester's result against Cardiff tonight you cant rule Belfast out dropping points there either !

[ginger]

Their last two games are v Nottingham Home and away. Panthers are playing out of their skin at present.
After Manchester's result against Cardiff tonight you cant rule Belfast out dropping points there either !

Manchester need to go all out to try and get 8th to make the playoffs. Hopefully they can do us a favour! Even if not though, Nottingham could still beat Belfast twice.

It's actually genuinely great that there's battles at both ends of the table and still teams fighting for better playoff positions.

[mark]

I don't take any heart from Manchester's performance against Cardiff, that's mostly down to the Devils as they seem to be collapsing, problems internally ?, maybe. Nottingham are playing well and have nothing to lose, it's not inconceivable they could beat Belfast twice.