GAME THREAD: Steelers v. HK Gomel. Sun, 21st November.

[SteelerBlade]

End of the 2nd 0-3.

Can’t fault the effort of the guys, giving everything but with such a thin squad it’s difficult to compete fitness wide.

As it stands we’re out unless an average Olimp Riga side with nothing to play for can stop Aalborg taking all 3 points.

[steeler pete]

They’re a tired bunch and it’s showing. We need a break when we do get some o zone time, so far not happening.

Can’t fault the effort but not looking good at the moment.

[Nathan]

4 min PP

[SteelerBlade]

Not much going on in the third so far, some poor Steelers PPs.

Need to find a 2nd wind of energy from somewhere.

[SteelerBlade]

Still not much happening with 3 to go. Suits Gomel, Brust will be in his way shortly you’d imagine as the 1 goal would see us through.

[SteelerBlade]

Brust pulled.

[SteelerBlade]

Ends 0-4. Our tournament is over unless an average Olimp Riga side can stop the hometown Aalborg Pirates taking all 3 points, highly unlikely.

A thoroughly professional performance from a quality HK Gomel side who naturally had more in the way of legs and fitness. They are through to the finals.

Can’t fault the effort of our guys this weekend, each & every player in our thin squad has given 110%.

My main concern now is that all the issues in our performances this weekend will carry over to domestic competition if we continue to run so low on fit bodies.

[steeler pete]

Sums it up perfectly.

[Doom]

When I saw the guys we'd got missing for this tournament I didn't think we'd pick up a point, so to get two wins was a tremendous effort.

It's always going to be an uphill battle when you have 40% of your goals sat in the stands.

It's going to be tough next weekend unless we can get a few bodies back, especially with Ellerby also missing.

If any of the injuries are longer term, then maybe Tony Smith is going to have to loosen the purse strings.

Regards

Doom

[smbmetal]

When I saw the guys we'd got missing for this tournament I didn't think we'd pick up a point, so to get two wins was a tremendous effort.

It's always going to be an uphill battle when you have 40% of your goals sat in the stands.

It's going to be tough next weekend unless we can get a few bodies back, especially with Ellerby also missing.

If any of the injuries are longer term, then maybe Tony Smith is going to have to loosen the purse strings.

Regards

Doom

I thought the same. To get 2 regulation wins with a depleted squad was excellent. Although I thought we were poor today. Yes, tiredness doesn’t help, but classic Steeler teams of old would have found a way to keep it to a 2 goal game. 4 mins of PP time and creating very little wasn’t great.

We can only make 4 further changes so need to be careful unless we use the injured reserve list, which is fine short-term, but players won’t want to come for just a few weeks I don’t think.

Let’s hope for a favour later on.