Belfast Away (18/03/2017) and Brahead Home (19/03/2017)

[chunk]

Well, there's just two weekends of the regular season remaining now and we're yet to secure a playoff spot. Belfast are still gunning for the title, so I think it's very unlikely we'll bring any points back from there, whilst Braehead have nothing to play for, which is fortunate as two points is the absolute minimum we need.

Our main rivals play each other in Manchester on Saturday, which is Storm's only game of the weekend - the Stars play at home to Nottingham the night before. Edinburgh have a home double header, also against Nottingham, but are virtually out of the playoff race now anyway.

Hard to say what our best case scenario is for the game in Manchester really, but basically we're hoping it doesn't go to OT and that the Panthers to do us a favour on Friday.

I just hope the final regular season game is a cracker as it could be a longer off season than we've been used to.

[takina]

I agree with chunk. Think it's unlikely we'll pick up anything away in title chasing Belfast on Saturday so the pivotal games become Storm v Stars and us v Braehead - that Braehead game may be a tough one - I'm assuming a hard game the day before and a long trip home.

Still so many possible outcomes in terms of final league placings but it will be good that our last home game of the season isn't a meaningless rubber.

[IX2T311]

2/5 to Belfast 4/1 To Coventry
No comment...

[takina]

Wonder whether Cowley's imminent retirement will give the squad any added incentive or whether their frustrating "Maybe we'll show up and maybe we won't" attitude will continue. Can't decide whether to go for the webcast or not - Belfast clearly still in the title race (just) so will want to win, Blaze should want the win too so it could be a good game, of course, Blaze being Blaze it could be a damp sqiub

[fanta]

So we are left fighting Manchester for the right to lose to Cardiff. 9th place would do us all a favour and end the misery early and save further embarrassment.

[takina]

As it stands we now look likely for 8th I guess, Manchester need to overtake us and they have Panthers away and then home so I think they have a real challenge to get enough to leapfrog. If we finish 8th then, as fanta says, we just face the right to lose to Cardiff, not a cat in hells chance we can take them. Feel sorry for Cowley that he will be going out on such a low point but the truth is that this is a poor, poor team, poorly coached.

[breezerblaze]

The battle for the top scotish team is continuing, Braehead have the conference sown up though i'm sure Fife would want to top them in the league.
We should finish 9th, though it wouldn't suprise me if we get 7th by a point, though both breahead and the steelers should brush us aside.
Skydome full tonight, 17 minute salute, the players should be up for today.

<sarcasm>See you all at our last home game of the season.</sarcasm>

[bruce]

Mar 18, 2017 15:54:07 GMT takina said:

Wonder whether Cowley's imminent retirement will give the squad any added incentive or whether their frustrating "Maybe we'll show up and maybe we won't" attitude will continue. Can't decide whether to go for the webcast or not - Belfast clearly still in the title race (just) so will want to win, Blaze should want the win too so it could be a good game, of course, Blaze being Blaze it could be a damp sqiub

In no way is this a dig at you Takina, but the idea that the Blaze might have an added incentive to do well for Cowley, is frankly something I find infuriating. This team has served up a shocking standard of hockey all season, so a better incentive might be to give something back to the poor fans who have handed over their hard-earned cash each week.

[breezerblaze]

Back from another exciting game at the skydome. Pity we stopped playing at 4-2.

I thought there was a full rotation of players early on, saw both #19 & #58 on the ice in the first few minutes, unheard of. Stopped as soon as Braehead scored.
#56 didn't look right tonight, took a couple of big hits, not sharp at all, injured still?

I'm sure Manchester would much prefer to take on Cardiff in the playoffs,

[takina]

No offence taken bruce and I totally agree with your point about the deplorable standard of hockey dished up this season.

So, in summary I'd say we managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, overall we competed pretty well I thought but we do have these lapses of concentration that just kill us. I really don't know what Rosehill was doing, he clearly lost all self control - I genuinely thought he was going to go for Hogarth when he (deservedly in my opinion) got his MP. In the end - could have gone either way but no complaints about Braehead winning.

Nice touch by the fans to recognise Cowley I thought, he really has been the consummate professional over the years and he deserves every accolade the Blaze bestow on him

I think that 8th place looking increasingly likely now

[takina]

Oops - Pering, not Hogarth, apologies

[scott]

Game photos www.scottwiggins.co.uk

[chunk]

First off, I enjoyed the game. The match night experience is really good this year and I hope we don't let that slip going into next season. The emotion for what may be Cowley's last home game was incredible. Rosehill's tantrum down the tunnel was the highlight of the season for me!

I thought we were good enough to win. We had enough chances, were on top for most of the game and scored enough goals. As Takina said above, the problem seemed to be that we switched off at key moments. We killed a five on three fantastically well and then they score immediately after, likewise, we go two goals up and then let them straight back into it.

I thought we were likely to finish 8th regardless of the result in this game and if that happens then I don't see how we can beat Cardiff over two legs.

[chunk]

Forgot to add how impressed I was by Braehead's effort and intensity. With the game essentially a dead rubber for them, I was expecting them to avoid any physicality and just go through the motions. They'll fancy their chances in the playoffs if they can keep that going.