Blaze vs Steelers CC 17/09/16

[dudestar]

No Marquardt this weekend, he has a prearranged commitment to a friend back in Canada, but other than that, should be full strength. Saying that, his are some big skates to fill, we may miss him this weekend, especially if, thinking more the Sheffield game, it could be quite a physical affair. Still think it'll be close, although Sheffield obviously favourites after their unprecedented (I say unprecedented, clearly the precedent was set by the blaze back in '08) CHL win. I'm going possibly another OT, but if so, who knows which team comes out on top.

[takina]

I thought that both Nottingham and Braehead each won one home game in their outings into CHL? I may be wrong.

Matt looks to have settled into his game really quickly and is proving an effective player, think this weekend is so much harder without him. Personally I think Sheffield's extra depth and their extra games will prove to be a difference but if the Blaze team have shown anything so far, it's that they don't back down and they don't give up.

Looking forward to this one

[takina]

Well that was a bit odd. Good thing there's no penalty for "looking at me in a slightly unfriendly manner" or that would probably have got called too. Steelers faster and more coherent initially struggled as Blaze scrapped their way back into this game and at 3-3 they looked a little rattled. Roy is class and yet again gets a GWG, have to give him credit. Noble did a great job chirping and needling all night, Pietrus and Stewart (NM) both outstanding in my opinion. On another night. with consistent reffing and Marquardt in the squad it could well be a different result. Bizarrely I think Stewart may take more heart from this than Thommo, yes Sheffield win but not so very convincingly.

[kerry]

You can tell Noble does his job properly because I can't stand him !! He is a mouthy little rat who will cost opposing teams penalties!!

As a neutral last night, I really enjoyed the game.

[Stuart Coles]

Blaze need to learn what Hicks will call quicker in future. He's very much a by the book, on the play ref - and Blaze gave Hicks too many opportunities to call penalties. Can point to stuff that wasn't called - but it wasn't called both ways - Noble was putting on a masterclass in needling the opposition at times.

I agree with takina above - Stewart may well be the happier coach. One import down and the Blaze ran with Sheffield for the entire 60 minutes and could've taken something out of the game even with penalty troubles. Bring Marquardt back in and tighten up the penalties, and it may well be a different story.

[antlers]

Thought Liam Stewart had a great game - will he be wasted on the fourth line.

[chunk]

Does anyone know what the shot or penalty counts were for each team - I can't seem to find the game sheet online anymore?

I was at the game, but I was pretty drunk and I haven't watched the highlights yet, so I'm pre-warning that my comments might not be accurate :-)

I didn't feel the ref had that much of an impact and I felt that we were lucky not to lose by more. There was another turnover that cost us a goal and that comes down to the systems we have in place. If players don't know where the rest of their team will be when they come into possession (or if players aren't where they're supposed to be) then passes can go astray. I also felt we were shooting low too often and against "Moose" we'd have been better varying the type of shot.

On the plus side, the powerplay is working well and the problems we have should all be fixable and may even sort themselves out in time as the players adjust to the new systems.

Tough weekend to come though and if we lose both then I may start to get a little nervous.

[chunk]

Sept 19, 2016 13:48:46 GMT chunk said:

Does anyone know what the shot or penalty counts were for each team - I can't seem to find the game sheet online anymore?

Too late to edit, but I've answered part of my own question - the shot count is on the match report on the blaze website:

Blaze 27 Steelers 34