|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 15, 2022 22:16:48 GMT
Decent performance that. Played good team defence. Given themselves half a chance for the return leg Defensively we look so much more organised. The D are doing a much better job of clearing up and stopping 2md chances. I sat must closer tonight for 2 periods so much harder to see the game play overall. Soaked up some periods of pressure and took advantage of some good chances when they came our way. Not a spectacular game but a lead of any kind would have been unthinkable a month ago.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 15, 2022 19:40:11 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 15, 2022 19:29:59 GMT
Regardless of what goes on the game sheet this will surely be a new attendance low, by a long way. I'm not sure there is even 1,000 in
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 15, 2022 17:15:38 GMT
Giants in turmoil with injuries and inter squad issues levels the playing field. As we now have Neilson the cup expert i'm going for Panthers to reach the semi finals.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 14, 2022 17:18:25 GMT
I think we all agree the format is a farce. Crowds throughout have been poor. Sheffield managed over 4k last week though, whilst on Viaplay. There ticket deal was decent and importantly icluded all fans. It's less than 2 weeks until Christmas, money is tight and Panthers want anybody without a ST to pay full price. Looks like it's really backfired. I thought it's a tenner to get in? It wasn't the clearest messaging but the discount was for ST holders only. Steelers £8 for anybody, including all fees. Panthers £10 adults, £5 Kids + booking fees. Non ST holders are full price.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 14, 2022 16:09:19 GMT
They are in turmoil at the moment and we need to take advantage. A very low crowd at the moment., we be lucky to pass the 1500 mark Looks a really terrible crowd yep, apart from two full blocks in 8 and 12 (if they turn up) which are obviously all freebies. Really is about time they ditched the cup quarter final round. I think we all agree the format is a farce. Crowds throughout have been poor. Sheffield managed over 4k last week though, whilst on Viaplay. There ticket deal was decent and importantly icluded all fans. It's less than 2 weeks until Christmas, money is tight and Panthers want anybody without a ST to pay full price. Looks like it's really backfired.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 12, 2022 21:12:50 GMT
Considering Conways sister and another relative were putting out tweets regardimg him then there is something in it. I wasn’t referring to Conway....much closer to home. I remember Toney's suddenly being in the stands when generally being one of our best Dmen. The rumours of why that was to.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 12, 2022 19:01:06 GMT
Christ, it's bad enough having to read some of the 'overheard it in the pub' rumours which pass for the next big piece of news, without having to read this kid of stuff. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened. Considering Conways sister and another relative were putting out tweets regardimg him then there is something in it.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 12, 2022 14:19:47 GMT
2 things after looking at the gamesheet. Firstly there was no way near almost 5k people in there(4,784). There were a hell of a lot of freebies inflating the numbers, but there were also huge chunks of empty seats in all blocks lower down. I guess there is a fair chance a hell of a lot of season ticket holders didn't turn up fearing the worst and with the time of year had something else they could be doing. Those ST seats will be on that attendance im sure.
At the game last night I barely recalled Devils having a shot in the 2nd up until the final 4/5 minutes. They did then manage a cluster but I was shocked to see 13 reported. I thought theyd maybe mustered 10 to 12 through the first 2 periods combined.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 11, 2022 22:36:16 GMT
Great performance, delighted for the players, they gave it everything. The intent to make body contact and finish hits was fantastic, Ricci and Welychka got the building bouncing in the first five minutes, even with a small crowd. Really enjoyed that, hopefully we can string performances like that together on a more consistent basis! Some excellent performances from Gagnon, Ricci, Welychka, Hammond and Sorensen has been highly effective in that agitator role in the last month that I’ve seen. Thrilled. The next 3 games are very much winnable, or at least should be. We are all well aware that we can make any team look good this season but back to back Fife followed by Clan is a great chance to get some momentum ahead of the Steelers double header. As with tonight this season is all about little moments of pleasure now so taking points off Sheffield would be a nice Christmas presant.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 11, 2022 19:09:11 GMT
Coming to say what I have to say all to often after these games. It doesn't mask, hide or take away from everything that is wrong, but just have to enjoy the result for what it is in isolation. The only thing missing from the game was an actual fight. Lots of hits early on to set the tempo, plenty of hand bags, and some good goals. Debeau had a good game. A few big saves early on. Then it was very quiet for him up until the final 5 minutes of the 2nd. The forwards playing D did a great job and the 3 Dmen all had great games. Gagnon was outstanding for me. To cover whoever he was paired with he was swapped from left to right pretty much every other shift. His outlet pass for the first goal was a beauty too. Sorensen is starting to play the game we need to see more of. He needed to take his rat levels up a notch or 2 and by doing so tonight got under Devils skin.
I dont know what it is about Cardiff but can we play them again next week.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 11, 2022 10:27:53 GMT
Last time out v Devils at home I could see us pulling off the result we did. Devils are the bigger team we raise our game against quite often. The rut we are in now is woeful. Add to that the injuries and last nights result and it's really not looking good. Devils have also started to look better in the league with 4 wins on the bounce. I cant see anything other than a pasting. Possibly even worse than last night.
I didn't see the game last night so cant really comment on performances. Saviour Berry was in goal though. Was he just let down by the team in front of him or did he contribute to the scoreline? I fully expect to see it switched back to the other average nettie tonight, which'll make all the difference.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 10, 2022 21:24:52 GMT
Guess it's a race now for which of the two of us can get shot of Black as owner first? Can you ask your team to stop stealing our thunder. Cant we wallow in self pity without Clan coming along and at least matching our loss. Only for you its on home ice and it could get worse yet. Edit: Just seen it finished 1 7.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 10, 2022 20:05:59 GMT
Would any other arena team be in this predicament, icing 3 actual defenceman plus two hastily converted forwards and a 16yr old kid from the NIHL? Corey left, Chernomaz was fired, Wallace was fired, GM passed, Doucet was fired and Graham was fired yet the story at Panthers remains the same - a basic unwillingness to do or spend what it takes to win. Its time for all atention to turn back to Black again. I had more hope this season with Pacha being given title of CEO. It appears the fears I had that it'd just be a dolled up GM have come true though. He clearly has no real power that any normal CEO in a business would have.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 10, 2022 20:02:14 GMT
7-1, ouch. Lagrone's going to be out for ages, Moore has been out a while. The U20 championships hopefully haven't caught us unawares... why haven't we signed another defenseman? Because of the invisible man. It has to come down to funds being made available. I find it impossible to believe coach or CEO havnt asked for one.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 10, 2022 18:08:24 GMT
So no Caruso? 3-0 down towards the end of the second. No. Panthers announced him as day to day earlier. The only thing that will likely prevent us dropping to 9th is the fact that Fife have Guilford and Sheffield, whilst Dundee have the Giants. You'd probably expect those games to go one way but we know Fife can be deadly and Giants are in a level of turmoil themselves.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 7, 2022 15:06:58 GMT
Steelers v Cardiff quarter final ALL tickets £5 plus £3 booking fee. Be interesting to see whose pricing initiative works best. Didn't see this post at the time. Just seen Steelers tweet the pricing ahead of tonight. Steelers again appear to be that step ahead. Admired their ticket initiatives for some time. Simple and clear to understand. £8 per person no matter the age. For a family of 4 That's £32 at Steelers & £38.40 at Panthers. Not a huge difference there. For a midweek game that'll finish at nearly 10pm the big impact will be from adult pricing though.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 5, 2022 12:01:46 GMT
Chad Butcher departs Belfast. Didn’t take the Keefe long to react after a bad weekend. Supposedly brining Josh Roach back who helped them win the league in 18/19, would have been a good signing for us. Surely we’ve got to have someone coming in this week? Also rumours of JJ Piccinich.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 5, 2022 8:11:34 GMT
Has he done enough for his shirt number to be retired? #8 Would've been a shoo-in had he stayed here his entire career (or even entire EIHL career). As it is, not for me. Shame he didn't get a good turnout, but I can't blame anyone for finding other things to do. Testimonials, IMO, are always far better in theory than practice. I agree. 2 ways to get the number retired. Exceptionally long continual service. Perhaps as much as 15 years+. Or you produce huge numbers. Clarke for example didn't get to the top spot in goals or points, however comparing eras his stats potentially make him the best we've had. Still erks me that 77 was retired. Retirement should be reserved for playing acheivements only. Corey was a great player for us, but no way close to enough for that acolade. Of course the man is a legend for the trophies he brought and finally delivering that title. For that i'll forever be greatful, but doesn't equal his playing number in the rafters.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 4, 2022 17:08:59 GMT
Yes so I now see. That’s a real shame when he’s travelled all the way to Nottingham. Dont think he has. It was known Friday he didnt fly as he had Covid.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 4, 2022 15:07:14 GMT
So empty in the arena, sad really. No sign of Ling. Caruso doesn’t appear to be icing either Sadly a lot of factors having an impact. The poor hockey will be having an impact, rightly or wrongly. A hell of a lot of people having to be careful how they spend their pennies, me including. I'd have been there if it wern't for money.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 3, 2022 23:05:03 GMT
5 away wins tonight. Storm winning at Belfast a surprise. Panthers back to 6th but 8pts off 5th 2 points tonight is a tiny step in the right direction but depending on results tomorrow we could find ourselves only 1 point ahead of 9th and should a minor miracle happen, even 1 point off bottom spot. At the same time we could be as much as 21 points off top spot. Even with a very good run it's going to be difficult to break that top 5 now.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 3, 2022 21:03:53 GMT
I don’t think either goalie are suited to playing behind the style Neilson will want the team to play. That goes along with my next comment to some degree. Neither have had the easiest job have they. Playing in front of a team that collectively cant defend for toffee.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 3, 2022 20:48:14 GMT
3-4, Barriga. Juicy rebound from Berry tucked away. Dubeau was very, very poor last night but I don’t think there’s any doubting that he’s not as good as Berry, is there? Berry has been hyped because of Debeaus actions early on and him coming in for a short string of wins, including back to back Clan. Each at their best id argue Debeau is better. When Debeau is poor he is aweful. On average there really isn't much between them. Neither are any way near good enough to be championship winning goalies. It's goalies like this pair that must really frustrate the Brits not given a chance at this level.
|
|
|
Post by Bagheera on Dec 3, 2022 15:20:09 GMT
Id not expect any forwards to log 30 minutes a night. 25 if you’re riding them hard. Your gun D man may get 25+, but not many much more. 9/90/19 should be high scoring, but something’s not clicking at all. 9/90/94 looked top notch early doors, but has been split up ever since. Fair that. It is usually the stud D men that log the big minutes isn't it. Anyway. Im sure you get the point i'm making. Those top lines on the smaller teams log significantly more minutes than on a bigger(cough, cough) team.
|
|