Sheffield Steelers 2 London Knights 2 (after OT)
"This team will not lie down" is a phrase that Mike Blaisdell has uttered time and time again this season..and tonight he uttered it again.
Playing dreadfully short on D through most of the game, with Marc Laniel falling victim to a slap shot on the knee, the Steelers kept their composure against a London side that Coach Blaisdell was extremely scathing about afterwards.
"They (London) have a lot of balls when they know we are short..They should be embarrassed to be going out of here like that. I'd be embarrassed if my team lost or tied to a team that short handed, and didn't get full points...I'd sack someone...I'd lose it on em for sure"
He was full of praise again for the youngsters that had a considerable amount of ice time, especially in a tough 2nd period, and is taking them in the depleted squad to Scotland on Saturday, where no doubt they will get ice time again, in a game that in effect is meaningless in its Challenge cup context, with the Steelers already having qualified.
It was good also to see 'Our little Darling' get the go ahead to let some steam off as he and the rest of the team had had their patience sorely tested by the likes of Hoad Maxwell (whom Dion finally let go on) and everybody's favourite hockey player (NOT) Vezio Sacratini
Both Steelers goals came on powerplays, the first from Dutiaume, in what seemed like an eternity of 5 on 3's in the 1st, in the Steelers favour as a result of the Knights refusal to see their tactics weren't working. Rhett Gordon brought the Steelers level in the 2nd with a superb follow in.
Shots on goal came out well in favour of the Knights as Steelers made like a sponge and sucked up all that came their way in the depleted defence. Again Joel Laing was superb, receiving the MoM award once more.
Though to be honest, I'd have said it should have gone to the entire team for that gritty and downright dogged performance...On the back of games like that are Championships won!
Shots on goal:
Steelers: 43
Knights: 26
Attendance: 3536
Latest news from Manchester....
Taken from Intothestorm forum (link to site on Links page) by Richard Allan, who most folks know as the Rev...he is becoming involved with goings on in Manchester and has been able to let people know what is happening to some extent to our cousins over the hills..
Summat has to be done, its happened to us..we dont want it happening to anybody else..Yet whilst ever theres people involved like the Rev, then theres hope..
Have a squiz at it..and do what yer can to help the Stormies..
Gooooo on Storm!!
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Dear all,
Those of you who know me, especially those who have heard my speech from the rally on Sunday, will know that I am trying to keep the recent developments as focussed as possible, and one of the ways I can do this is through rumour control. We are currently in an emotionally charged situation, and there is a limited amount of information being released, and as a result there is a lot of speculation about what is going on.
I have been on the phone this evening with a very reliable source. I am not prepared to publicise who it is, but I am prepared to be contacted by Simon SM privately to confirm that this information and source is genuine.
The situation is as follows:
Storm's financial position is being governed by factors outside of their control. Some forum posters on this site are asking how it is possible to have spend all the season ticket money and all the sponsorship money so quickly. The fact is that the sponsorhip money is still by and large outstanding.
Our main sponsorship deal this season was forged with JJB, however the broker of that deal on the part of JJB is now unfortunately deceased. As a result, the financial transaction of the sponsorship money has been put on hold until the internal affairs are sorted out. The exact machinations of the affairs, I am not privvy to. Because of this delay in payment by a major sponsor, some of our other sponsors are erring on the side of caution and waiting to see how that situation pans out before paying their sponsorship amounts - at the end of the day this is all business. This has meant that the primary source of income for the Storm has been the season ticket sales.
There are approximately 900 Storm season ticket holders this year. The monies raised by the advance season ticket sales has had to be ploughed into the expenses incurred in getting the team together - the players travel, housing and equipment has all come from that money.
Ticket sales are down, that much we already know, but the knock on of this is that there isn't much money coming into the team, therefore the outgoings have suffered. The issues with SMG in the past few days have illustrated this.
The team themselves are devastated by what is going on, they are confused and worried for their futures - this is their livelihood, after all. They are in way to blame for what is going on, and in my opinion they should be given as much support as we can give them.
I have heard that there are plenty of phone calls being made to various members of staff within Storm, and to staff from companies that are associated with Storm, and that these calls have in some cases been angry or hostile. I would like to appeal for calm at this point - calls like these achieve nothing, and are often being targetted at people who have given their best for the organisation and have worked themselves as hard as possible. These people should be praised for the work that they put in, not vilified for the way that events have been turning out.
Gary Cowan is currently in Italy. Fans are becoming frustrated at the silence coming from Gary and the official sources - the silence will be broken as soon as there is news to give. I am assured that Gary Cowan is spending every available moment chasing up sponsors and trying to raise the funds needed to keep Storm going.
The next hurdle that we face is getting the players paid. My understanding is that this is due this week. If the players aren't able to be paid, they shouldn't be expected to play. This is entirely acceptable and the players should not be vilified for it.
I would like to conclude this message by clarifying that I am in no way connected to the Storm organisation, and the reason I am giving out this information is the same reason I received it - there are people who care a great deal about this team and who will give it there all. We saw that on Sunday with the rally and the number of fans who braved the elements to be there, and all the fans who have taken the trouble to sign the online petition and leave their messages of support. I am passing this information on so that the fans can be as informed as is possible.
Tomorrow will be a crunch day for Storm. Gary Cowan is confident that Storm will pull through, and that we will find the funds needed to carry on. I would like for that to be the case, I want Storm to continue as I know each and every one of you does too.
The best thing that we can do is to get behind the team, support the boys in whatever way we can - this is our favourite sport and we care a lot, but this is their livelihood. There should be no finger pointing, no blame, and no irate calls. Please.
Thank you all, and Long Live The Storm.
Reverend Richard
