Nottingham Away (18/02/2017) and Home (19/02/2017), and Edin

[chunk]

We start with a double header against our most local rivals, whilst Dundee have the same against Fife.

Following last night's game between the two sides below us, we're just one point inside the play-off places, so if we don't at least match Dundee's results over the weekend then we'll likely be in 9th place come Monday morning.

Neither game will be easy, but any point gained here could be priceless come the end of the season. We could do with Fife helping us out too, as falling behind in the race at this stage would put a huge amount of pressure on Tuesday's home game to Edinburgh.

Speaking of Tuesday, the Caps will know that's a must win game if they want to make the playoffs. They'd be crazy not to pull out all the stops to give themselves every chance to win. They'll also be coming in fresh, with no games over the weekend and have won 2 of the 3 games we've played so far.

Thoughts/predictions?

[chunk]

The thread title's been cut off, but it should end: Edinburgh Home (21/02/2017)

[takina]

Panthers seem to be having a few problems of their own with two consecutive shut outs against; that said, even as depleted as they are, they should be more than a match for us esp on their own ice so I doubt we'll pickup anything on Sat. On our home ice, if the right variant of the Blaze turn up then a point or even two might be up for grabs, as chunk points out any points are invaluable right now.

Tue is the game I'm most looking forward to - a real dog fight in what is a must-win for each side. Plus, as usual at this point in the season, I'm getting bored stupid of yet another game against our fellow conference teams. Anyway - nothing certain but I'm looking for 2pts in regulation in this one.

Overall 3 pts from a possible 6. Anything more a bonus, anything less than 2 puts us in a pretty unenviable position.

[chunk]

It's just been announced that Noble is still out and that Liam Stewart has had to return home, so will miss these 3 games. It doesn't get any easier:

www.coventryblaze.co.uk/news/liam-stewart-and-kevin-noble-set-to-miss-out-20170217

[breezerblaze]

Just hope that Stewart will return next week and he has not gone for good.


Is Selby available, a fresh pair of legs would take the pressure of the others.

[takina]

Liam has tweeted a gif of Arnold Schwarzenegger (forgive spelling) as Terminator saying, "I'll be back" so hopefully it's only a short term thing. One of Danny's better signings and one of the players I'd like to re-sign. Aways gives it his all every shift - hope he successfully sorts out whatever it is that has called him away

[villadave]

Feb 17, 2017 13:33:03 GMT breezerblaze said:

Just hope that Stewart will return next week and he has not gone for good.


Is Selby available, a fresh pair of legs would take the pressure of the others.

why would it matter if he was? he would get zero shifts. like Klotz. Like Clements gets benched if the game is close (with one of our forwards being preferred on D to an actual D-man). We have some guys already here who could take some of the pressure off but DS and JP elect not to play them. in Klotz's case to the bafflement of our opponents.

[takina]

Feb 18, 2017 10:34:28 GMT villadave said:

Feb 17, 2017 13:33:03 GMT breezerblaze said:

Just hope that Stewart will return next week and he has not gone for good.


Is Selby available, a fresh pair of legs would take the pressure of the others.

 in Klotz's case to the bafflement of our opponents.

... and some of the home fans too. Klotz is at least as good a fighter as the rest and, in my opinion, a better player than some of the characters we've seen in the past, He can occupy a crease, always finishes his checks and has no match bans at all. I am amazed, absolutely amazed that he gets such little ice time

[takina]

Well that was a bonus. Apart from conceding some soft penalties (thought Halas was excellent by the way, hope we see him ref again soon), Blaze totally dominated. Thought Panthers were woeful, brought a reasonable sized crowd who could rightfully feel shortchanged by a squad that looked largely uninterested and pretty unmotivated, that goes for Neilson too who just seemed to stand and watch the slow and steady dismantling of his team.

Probably the most complete Blaze performance for quite a while. Stewart was on top form and when that's the case he's as good, if not better, than any NM in the league - clearly deserved the mom by a margin but I thought Bergman was a real joy to watch as he unzipped their D time and again (thought Spang played well and that aside Pacl had precious little in front of him)

So - bring this team out on Tue and Edinburgh have a real challenge.

[scott]

Feb 19, 2017 22:59:48 GMT takina said:

 Apart from conceding some soft penalties (thought Halas was excellent by the way, hope we see him ref again soon), Blaze totally dominated. 

Halas had a mare the twice we saw him in Scotland, admittedly we didn't play well up there but I will concur last night he called a good game for the most part.  He even went and explained penalties to the coaches at times as to why he was calling them.

[chunk]

Well, that was a great result and a hugely important 2 points. I fully expect us to beat Edinburgh on Tuesday and to then push on and secure 8th place if we can keep up that level of performance. I don't expect us to get any points from the away games against the top three sides, but the three remaining home games (Manchester, Fife, Braehead) should all be winnable and that should be enough to see us safe.

[blazeblue]

Last nights game has given me a dilemma. I was 95% sure that I wouldn't renew my season ticket, but after that game.......? All I can say is.... if only.

[chunk]

Last night made for some nervous moments near the beginning. We certainly weren't helping ourselves with the turnovers and penalties, but in the end we were too good for Edinburgh and I'd say they're out of the playoff race now.

Here's hoping Brian Stewart's ok. If he's carrying an injury into this weekend's game then I'd consider resting him Saturday, if it meant he'd be fit for the 4 pointer against Manchester.

[jen]

Not sure what happened to Stewie, he looked in agony as he went off. Hope he's ok, well done to Renny he has come on so much.

[breezerblaze]

Marr put in some fine saves in the first few mins he was i the net, best I've seen him play yesterday.


I want #blazemotm back. I want to pick who I think was the best player. Sure #30 would have got it.

Breezer

[hidehi]

He stopped 11 shots in his stint between the pipes.

[fanta]

Feb 22, 2017 21:23:33 GMT breezerblaze said:

Marr put in some fine saves in the first few mins he was i the net, best I've seen him play yesterday.


I want #blazemotm back. I want to pick who I think was the best player. Sure #30 would have got it.

Breezer

The usual 'lets patronise a back up goalie' syndrome. Fine saves? I am all in favour of developing young players but he made routine saves that, if he hadn't have made, would be poor. Fans still do pick the motm so not sure why you need it back when it hasn't been anywhere!

[breezerblaze]

Feb 26, 2017 8:05:24 GMT fanta said:

Feb 22, 2017 21:23:33 GMT breezerblaze said:

Marr put in some fine saves in the first few mins he was i the net, best I've seen him play yesterday.


I want #blazemotm back. I want to pick who I think was the best player. Sure #30 would have got it.

Breezer

The usual 'lets patronise a back up goalie' syndrome. Fine saves? I am all in favour of developing young players but he made routine saves that, if he hadn't have made, would be poor. Fans still do pick the motm so not sure why you need it back when it hasn't been anywhere!

Sorry Fanta I was not trying to put down the keeper, my intention was to say well done to #30 for a clean sheet.  I do try hard not to critisie individual players.

Breezer