Midweek Musings and a One Minute Preview

On we go, then...this should not be quite as long as yesterdays epic but hopefully there'll be enough to keep you entertained as always...

Take that, Neil Black: Following on from last Friday's post about Neil Black's criticism of Panthers coach Mike Ellis just before a big weekend, it appears that the Panthers fans have teeth after all, with a demonstration of sorts being organised almost on the fly through the Cage Forum at last nights Newcastle game (which, by the way, the Panthers won 6-2). The arena stood and chanted in support of Ellis early in the second period, which received a reaction from the bench-here's a description of the events from the Cage Forum...

Well, I was given word that we should go for it at the first break in play in the 2nd session. So, I stood up, turned to face the Pandas and the rest of Block 11 and started to chant "Stand Up..." motioning with my arms, to get folk on their feet. Block 11 didn't let me down and within 5 or 6 seconds the whole block was up. Then I turned to face the ice, I looked around the Arena and watched Block 12 stand up, then 10, 13, 9, 8, 7, 14, 15, 6, 5, 4. Every damn block. The noise was fantastic.The guys at the face-off stood up and away from the linesman, a couple of the players were banging their sticks on the boards, one (maybe Pelts, I'm not sure) even stood up for his coach.The applause for us from the coach and his players spoke volumes, although I think some of them were a little surprised, perhaps, at the level of volume and support for Ellis.

Fan power at its best, I think...will be interesting to see how this continues...

First turn of the rumour mill: This has been going round for a while but with it getting nearer and nearer to the off-season, the rumour mill is beginning to turn faster with the news that the Panthers could try and re-sign David Clarke for the playoffs after the Brit forward spent the year in Italy. There are all manner of obstacles to this, however, not least the fact that Clarke would be classed as an ITC card holder this season by the IIHF, and thus subject to the transfer deadline, even though he wouldn't be counted as an import in the British league, being a native. This time last year it was Trevor Gallant who came in as a playoff "rental", and that worked pretty well. Clarke would certainly be an excellent signing for the Panthers, but I'm not sure this one will happen, personally.

PR Wars: Meanwhile, the hype has been wound up another notch ahead of tonight's Blaze-Steelers clash, with a seeming attempt to cause unrest in the Midlanders' dressing room thanks to the Star adding this little titbit in an interview with Joey Talbot...
Meanwhile, Coventry could be set to lose two of their best players in the summer. While coach Paul Thompson is likely to resist a recent invitation to join a German club, Dan Carlson and Neal Martin could be on their to European teams.
While nothing more than idle speculation, it's still a nice little pop...and makes a chance from the whole "We Believe" campaign which the Steelers have started to run...
Moving on seamlessly-there are two big games at opposite ends of the table this evening-Hull take on Basingstoke in a game which both teams have a chance of winning...and of course, there's the subject of tonight's One Minute Preview...

One Minute Preview: Sheffield v Coventry
Why Sheffield will win: Momentum cannot be underestimated, and at the moment the Steelers have that in spades. A rabid home crowd, stoked up further by the rabble-rousing ability of Dave Simms, will make for a hostile atmosphere which can't be underestimated in its potential effect on both sides...
On the ice, meanwhile, the Steelers have a team which has hit form at just the right moment, with Jeff Legue finally showing the offensive ability claimed for him at the start of the season, Joey Talbot in lethal form, and of course Dan Tessier. Tonight this lot will need to be at their best against a Blaze defence which is weakened by injuries to Jon Weaver and Neal Martin. The Blaze are beatable if you play them right, however-the Steelers need to be willing to close down every player the moment they get the puck and simply not give them the space to play, much as Edinburgh did on Sunday. Steve Munn and Mark Thomas are key-they have to hit everything in a blue shirt hard and often and win every physical battle in their own zone-that way the Blaze can be knocked off their game. Speaking of which, the high-powered Steelers attack need to forsake the pretty plays and get their noses dirty in front of Trevor Koenig-the Blaze goalie doesn't like traffic in front of him or anything that forces him to move out of his comfort zone, which bodies in front of him will certainly do. Get into Koenig's head and the goals will come...
Why Coventry will win: Like them or not, you can't deny the Blaze have a habit of turning up when it really matters. However, missing two important players in Jon Weaver and (possibly) Neal Martin to injury, and with other players walking wounded, they need to turn up more than ever tonight, prepared for a battle. Danny Stewart will be required to be on his best agitating form in the attempt to draw powerplays from the Steelers defence, and the remaining Blaze D, like their Steelers counterparts, need to deny space to the Steelers forwards, something they've done fairly successfully against most teams this season. If they can, and get their opponents frustrated, it gives the creative Blaze players a chance to use the extra space given by the powerplay-this game could be won and lost on special teams.
Verdict: Who knows? But if I were pushed hard, I'd pick the Steelers to keep their title hopes alive with a one-goal win this evening...

Call it a 30 Second Preview...
Meanwhile, on Humberside Basingstoke face Hull in their game in hand in a game which has major ramifications for the playoff race. With the two teams about even (Basingstoke's lack of numbers could be the key reason if Hull win) I'm thinking that the Bison's extra motivation and proven record for heroics when short of players could just give them the edge in a close game...

There yoi go...that's your Midweek Musings done for today. Tomorrow will see reaction to today's games and the return of IceTunes...keep keeping your eye on the puck...