GAME THREAD: Steelers v Flyers: Sat.

[mark]

Result

Steelers 4-1 Flyers

[Doom]

Not a particularly impressive performance, but it's a win and that is what's needed right now.

Unfortunately all our rivals also won, so we're really going to have to impress to make up ground.

Fox still doesn't seem to have a clue with his lines, constantly chopping and changing. For all his undoubted qualities, Dowd is struggling at faceoffs, so why send him out on the crucial 4 on 4.

How are we intending to use Watling? Currently he seems to be a winger, but if we're going to progress he needs to be a top line centre. If he's not looking up to it, then it's a poor decision to bring him back.

For me the next run of fixtures determines our title challenge. 5 away games, but with the recent failures we now need to pick up a minimum of 8 points, including 2 wins in Belfast.

As things stand, I see us as a 4th place team.

Regards

Doom

[smbmetal]

Without Booth, Flyer’s goal of making the playoffs is impossible. Lucic is a complete waste of a jersey and looked like he was skating in treacle. I certainly wouldn’t have thought he’d played over 1,000 NHL games.

Good job we’ve got the win with Nottingham, Belfast and Cardiff winning as well.

Not sure we’ve really improved, but a win here will certainly help with some confidence. We did at least win more face-offs.

On the road now for 3 games in 3 days on the Scotland trip. Need a minimum of 6 points for me to stay in touch. We’ll find ourselves in 4th place if Belfast beat Coventry tomorrow.

Then followed by the Belfast double header in Belfast. In our current form, I can’t see anything other than 2 x Belfast wins, which if so, puts an end to our title contest.

An interesting couple of weeks to come.

[greeny]

Cant moan in respect that it was a routine victory, nothing to get excited about but 2 points on the board, fife definitely alot poorer for not having owen and booth playing,,,,, interesting now to see how we go on with the upcoming away games

[paul johnston]

The win was very important but it wasn't the statement performance exciting sexy hockey we were looking forward to after the recent results. It was pretty attritional stuff.
Don't get the impression that Fox is very happy with the guys/how they are playing having watched his post game interview.
I dont see us being top 2 this year, can see Belfast/Nottingham in the top two spots with us and Devils vying for the next 2 places.

[Bryan]

Sit in row H behind the away bench. A good look at Lucic all evening. He is a big fellow with a distinct stoop. He comes back to the bench after a shift looking completely done. He sits panting and looking way off match fitness to me. Given his background. The wife of a high earning hockey player decided not to give evidence. Draw your own conclusion. I really didn’t see any play from him worth mentioning except for a totally awful very late challenge flooring our player onto the boards. Only got 2 mins. All told it looks like a poor decision by Fife. Of course he may develop match fitness and prove me wrong.

[Bryan]

Ps I don’t get what is happening with Watling. Given the dire performance from our centres in the circle why is he playing on the wing? I love him from his past performance. Not sure yet how this will pan out. Fox is really puzzling me with his incessant tinkering with lines. It can’t be helping the players.

[greeny]

Sit in row H behind the away bench. A good look at Lucic all evening. He is a big fellow with a distinct stoop. He comes back to the bench after a shift looking completely done. He sits panting and looking way off match fitness to me. Given his background. The wife of a high earning hockey player decided not to give evidence. Draw your own conclusion. I really didn’t see any play from him worth mentioning except for a totally awful very late challenge flooring our player onto the boards. Only got 2 mins. All told it looks like a poor decision by Fife. Of course he may develop match fitness and prove me wrong.

Im 2 rows behind you bryan and i was same watching lucic, yeh he looks like he has just had 40 woodbines and several pints,,, nothing playwise there to get excited about,,,, i think its all about the name as to why fife took him on and looking at fife forum the fans seem to want to see him play., pity booth wasnt playing because he seems as though he could be ok,,,,

[sparkymark75]

Sit in row H behind the away bench. A good look at Lucic all evening. He is a big fellow with a distinct stoop. He comes back to the bench after a shift looking completely done. He sits panting and looking way off match fitness to me. Given his background. The wife of a high earning hockey player decided not to give evidence. Draw your own conclusion. I really didn’t see any play from him worth mentioning except for a totally awful very late challenge flooring our player onto the boards. Only got 2 mins. All told it looks like a poor decision by Fife. Of course he may develop match fitness and prove me wrong.

I actually thought that was a soft call. It wasn’t even a check, more of a shove. Your commentary team seemed to feel the same but then there were soft calls all over the ice all night.

I was never excited about the Lucic signing as he was never a player I watched in the NHL. It’s a shame Booth was out as he has had a decent start.

[MLL79]

I feel like almost every game I’ve seen this year feels like a cagey cup final performance in a lot of ways. Scrappy and a bit uncoordinated somehow.

I still feel like we either tip in and chase the puck, without big bodies like Simpson and Allen who could barge in and create something, or an individual rush with maybe one player supporting, whereas the visiting teams (even bottom placed..) seem to play and pass their way in.

I feel the fourth line when they go in almost create more chances through “play” rather than tip/dump and chase. The odd hit thrown here and there by Tremblay/Shudra seems to create a bit of space and energy.

Watching Diffley a lot atm and noticing the great work he does, although caught out once with Southorn, Fox talks about his puck recovery skills and have to say I don’t know he gets some of the touches in sometimes.

As for Lucic…. Sheesh… I’m not sure if I was more saddened or amused… I’m not sure how long it’s been regular play wise for him, but even on his fresh shifts he looks a terrible skater… anyone else catch the swipe he took at Heard at/after the buzzer? Lol