It was an interesting season to say the least. Panthers put up their best numbers for some years, but still ended the season empty handed. The full statistics were as follows:
Games Played: 61 Wins: 35 Losses: 16 Draws: 2 OT Wins: 4 OT Losses: 4 Goals For: 248 Goals Against: 172 Goal Difference: +76 PIMs: 1,260 Win %: 63.9 Elite League: 3rd Play-offs: Runners-up Challenge Cup: Failed to qualify from group stageTCW contributors Paul & Jono both reviewed the season and also each player on the roster (links at the bottom). Here follows their thoughts.
Paul: The play-off weekend was our season in microcosm. Great one night, not so great the next. The only thing consistent about our season was the lack of consistency. In a lot of ways this season was like the last two (except without the trophies, yeah, yeah, 1956 and all that), games that should have been won were lost and the points balance of all the cellar dwellers was enhanced by a visit from or to Nottingham. So, all in all an OK season, not great, nowhere near terrible but a starting point and let’s not forget we saw that rarest of things in Nottingham this season – a league match that mattered to us in January. I think we’re about where we should be after a season with a rookie coach who is still learning the ropes (or at least we hope he’s still learning).
What of the league in general? Administratively it was one to forget. Suspensions seemed to depend on who could moan the loudest and we’re down to nine teams now. That might not be a totally bad thing because we can’t lose to Basingstoke anymore and they haven’t introduced a new team who’ll win the league before us. On the ice it showed that any of nine teams could beat each other on any given night and Sheffield couldn’t. Players like Beauregard proved it is still possible to bring real flair to this league but hanging on to them might be harder.
So here’s to next season and most of what it’ll bring. What do I want to see? Apart from the obvious, it would be nice to see the management of some, if not all (probably all) teams grow up and let the players do the talking on the ice. I know it won’t happen but you’ve got to have a(nother) dream right?
Jono: When I think back over the season and can definitely say I was entertained. At times we played some great attacking hockey, probably encapsulated best in the play-off semi against the Phoenix and in the league we had our best set of results for years, but typically Steelers chose this season to be all dominant! Unfortunately lack of consistency, coupled with a sometimes dodgy defence and a netminder lacking in confidence and it wasn’t to be our season this year. However, I believe Corey Neilson can take a lot of pride from his first season in charge and if he can learn from his mistakes of this season then I believe he can lead an even more sustained challenge for the title next season.
We have also reviewed each player on the roster, click on the player’s name to see the review:
Netminders: Davis Parley, Michel Robinson, Geoff Woolhouse. Defence: Ed Hill, Corey Neilson, Rumun Ndur, Nick Toneys, Mark Richardson, Danny Meyers, Joe Graham, James Ferrera. Forwards: Johan Molin, Dan Tessier, Marc Levers, David Clarke, Bruce Richardson, Kevin Bergin, Brendan Cook, Jade Galbraith, Matt Myers, Robert Lachowicz, James Neil*Many thanks to Rob Vernon for the use of his superb play-off photographs.
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