GAME THREAD: Steelers v Storm: SAT : Pre-Season

[mark]

Result

Steelers 4-1 Storm

[smbmetal]

A nice routine win against the Storm.

Probably an ideal preseason game for the team. Especially playing against their backup netminder for the full game. I hope Brine gets the full game in Manchester tomorrow.

My first full watch of the team and my early initial thoughts are as follows:

Faceoffs, once again we look week on. Enjoyed watching Tesla ( ) who looks a good signing. I don’t believe we have improved enough to challenge the likes of Belfast. Wasn’t impressed with number 25 considering his pedigree. Perhaps he has no interest in preseason games?

I really, really hope Mr Shudra senior returns to the stream. Whilst he isn’t usually around for the early season games, I’m afraid the new colour commentator watches a different game to me.

Let’s hope we spoil the big game in Manchester tomorrow with a similar win.

[Bryan]

A nice routine win against the Storm

I really, really hope Mr Shudra senior returns to the stream. Whilst he isn’t usually around for the early season games, I’m afraid the new colour commentator watches a different game to me.

Let’s hope we spoil the big game in Manchester tomorrow with a similar win.

Who is this sub for Ron? He talks too much and too loud. He seems to be delivering a series of lectures. He just doesn’t understand his role. He often carried on talking preventing the actual commentary continuing. Awful.

[ginger]

Much more fluid compared to last week. Still kinks to iron out but players definitely shaking the rust off a bit. Archambault much more involved and has got a bit of bite about him. Teissala might be the second coming of Go(lo)d. Really liking Erkamps and Steele looked very smooth. Without seeing the stats, it feels like we win a lot more draws than last year already.

Can't really complain for 3rd game of preseason.

[smbmetal]

A nice routine win against the Storm

I really, really hope Mr Shudra senior returns to the stream. Whilst he isn’t usually around for the early season games, I’m afraid the new colour commentator watches a different game to me.

Let’s hope we spoil the big game in Manchester tomorrow with a similar win.

Who is this sub for Ron? He talks too much and too loud. He seems to be delivering a series of lectures. He just doesn’t understand his role. He often carried on talking preventing the actual commentary continuing. Awful.

Dylan Pick? (Apologies if the spelling is incorrect). Whilst you couldn’t fault his enthusiasm, he seemed (to me) to go on and on about nothing.

It wasn’t until they showed some highlights in between the 2nd and 3rd period which featured Mr Shudra that you could hear the difference in how they understood the game. I really hope it’s only temporary from a stream perspective as I’m now 100% stream focused.

I thought Dan Green was annoying on Panthers webcasts, but I think this guy might just be worse!

[MLL79]

Wonder if it’s a case of inexperience and trying too hard with new commentator…

Felt like there were a lot of good signs from tonight, my first look at this years team.

For me the guys I picked up on in particular - Tait looking really good, as is Jasper. Tiessala early on. On D I thought Steele looked good, Erkamps early on, and I think Stucker looks useful too. I think D will give Fox a selection headache tbh.

I don’t recall them putting any stats up, but it felt like Storm were getting the better of the face off draws.

[Bryan]

To return to the actual hockey. I agree that it was much smoother and more evidence of team building. Of course this was a less strong opposition to last week. I really like Teissala. He could become the star. Archambault looks at home and seems a good pick. So far a little disappointed in Gettinger. He has imposed himself on any of the three games. I hope he gets better. Our D looks fairly good now. Faceoffs are better but my guess is we still don’t win the majority.
I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I went to a game in the old arena. If Storm have already got 10,000 they must have done a huge job. The league will be better with a strong Storm with good support.

[smbmetal]

To return to the actual hockey. I agree that it was much smoother and more evidence of team building. Of course this was a less strong opposition to last week. I really like Teissala. He could become the star. Archambault looks at home and seems a good pick. So far a little disappointed in Gettinger. He has imposed himself on any of the three games. I hope he gets better. Our D looks fairly good now. Faceoffs are better but my guess is we still don’t win the majority.
I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I went to a game in the old arena. If Storm have already got 10,000 they must have done a huge job. The league will be better with a strong Storm with good support.

It really is amazing that (hopefully) 10,000+ people are expected tomorrow in Manchester. I completely agree that a strong Manchester is very good for the league and I wish them very well, except against us of course. The old games against the Storm playing out of the MEN, had far more rivalry than any Panthers game.

My concern for both Manchester and the league, is that typically Manchester have built teams suitable for the small ice. I’m not sure this season’s team is ready for the big ice at the AO arena. Hopefully I’m completely wrong, but if they’re beaten regularly at home they might find themselves back on small ice or even worse out of the EIHL.

We easily deserved to beat Manchester today. Let’s see what tomorrow brings. Is their team ready for the big ice?

[Doom]

I can't say i was overly impressed by the performance, but it's was a win, so I'll take it.

Tait man of the match for me. I thought he was good both ends of the ice.

Faceoffs were a mixed bag. Gettinger is very good, but Whistle and Rockwood were poor.

To be honest, Rockwood needs a lot of selling to me, because I'm just not seeing it.

I like the new Finns though. Teissala will be fun to watch.

Balmas still on left wing. If this continues and we don't start well, I'll certainly be at the front of the queue to get rid of Fox.

You don't play your best player out of position.

Regards

Doom

[smbmetal]

I can't say i was overly impressed by the performance, but it's was a win, so I'll take it.

Tait man of the match for me. I thought he was good both ends of the ice.

Faceoffs were a mixed bag. Gettinger is very good, but Whistle and Rockwood were poor.

To be honest, Rockwood needs a lot of selling to me, because I'm just not seeing it.

I like the new Finns though. Teissala will be fun to watch.

Balmas still on left wing. If this continues and we don't start well, I'll certainly be at the front of the queue to get rid of Fox.

You don't play your best player out of position.

Regards

Doom

Can’t really argue with that summary. If Balmas plays out of position we’ll struggle. We should be beating Storm playing their backup netminder when they have the best EIHL netminder of last season on the bench, preseason or not.

Yes, it’s preseason, but already (for me) it’s classic ‘Fox’ hockey which = One very good period followed by two ‘huff and puff’ one’s. Tait was excellent all game, however, I don’t see what Gettinger brings (just yet).

Have we improved enough to challenge Belfast? I don’t believe so.

We do look better than last season though. Have we got the style of team that won a grand slam, or one like the past two seasons which won nada?……….Time will tell.