Steamers Close-out Winter Season

Greensboro) The Steamers bid to repeat as Manley Cup Champions fell one game short as the team fell 6-3 in the Championship Game on Wednesday evening. After falling behind 3-0 early in the second period, the Steamers narrowed the margin to 3-2, but that was as close as they would come on this night. The silver medal finish capped-off an improbable run to the finals after a dismal regular season (2-7-2)and a 7th place finish.

The Steamers seemingly found their stride in the pool portion of the play-offs going 2-1 and finishing with enough points to advance to the Semi-Finals. In the semi-finals, the Steamers were able to knock off the #2 seeded Ice Holes to advance to their second straight finals appearance. In the post-season, the Steamers defeated the #1,2, and 3 seeds in route to the finals. Unfortunately they were unable to beat the #3 Blizzard a second time to capture the championship.

Looking forward, the Steamers look to return most of the core group for the summer session with only 1-2 roster moves antipicated.

Stats: Mike Auston captured the Steamers' scoring race, edging Chris Hughes 18 points to 17, although Hughesy ran way with the goal scoring title (16). Captain, Dan Auston finished a distance third with 12 pts (5G/7A). Mike's 18 penalty minutes also led the club.

If Dan Ran the NHL

I was reading Ray Ferraro's column on TSN.ca regarding (among other things), the current standings format and it got me thinking about changes I would make to the format as well as the NHL as a whole.

On the subject of the standings: I would be in favor of 3 points for a regulation or OT victory. It's a team game so let's reward "team victories". Under the current format, teams receive 1 point for an OT or Shootout Loss....I say give 'em nothing! In basketball you don't get anything for losing in OT. In baseball, they don't give you bonus points for losing in extra innings. Winning should be all that matters in professional sports.

That said, I do like the shootout as an alternative to the sister-kissing that is a regular season tie, but think that 1 bonus point for a shootout victory would suffice nicely. The Phoenix Coyotes are a prime example of how "full points" for a shootout victory can schew the standings. With 12 shootout victories, the Coyotes have picked up an additional 12 pts (in the current format) for what amounts to an individual breakaway competition. One could argue that they could wheel out the targets or a radar gun if they wanted to award points for individual skills.

As of today Phoenix and Chicago are tied a top the Western Conference with 97 pts respectively. If we were to break it down into my format it would look like this:

Chicago:
Regulation and OT wins: 37 (x 3 = 111)
Shootout Wins: 8
Losses: 26 (19 Reg. + 9 SO/OT)
Total Pts = 119

Phoenix:
Regulation and OT wins: 34 (x 3 = 102)
Shootout wins: 12
Losses: 27 ( 22 Reg + 5 SO/OT)
Total Pts = 114

Granted 5 pts is not a lot of separation for two quality teams, but keep in mind the Hawks have played 2 fewer games. I like this format because a) it rewards TEAM victories and b) it would be interesting to see how strategies would change at the end of regulation and in OT knowing that there were no consolation prizes. It would be the "Top Gun" equivalent of "no points for second best".

Next Up: Re-alignment. Stay tuned

Play-Offs?!?

With their stellar play, the Steamers have clinched the #7 seed (out of 8 teams) heading into the Pool Portion of the 2010 Manley Cup Play-offs.

Schedule:

Wednesday 3/24 - 10:30 PM vs #5 (TBD)
Wednesday 3/31 - 10:30 PM vs #3 (TBD)
Wednesday 4/7 - 9 PM vs # 1 (Black Knights)

Steamers Hire Head Coach

GREENSBORO) In the midst of a dissappointing season and looking to shake things up, the Steamers have hired former Cleveland Indians and Tire World Manager, Lou Brown to be their new Head Coach. In the press conference announcing the hire, Brown was quoted saying,

"I'm not much for giving inspirational addresses, but I'd just like to point out that every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. The local press seems to think that we'd save everyone the time and trouble if we just went out and shot ourselves. Me, I'm for wasting sportswriters' time. So I figured we ought to hang around for a while and see if we can give 'em all a nice big shitburger to eat! "

Brown will be behind the bench this week when the Steamers face-off with the Black Knights - Thursday at 9.

Only One Way to Go

Greensboro) Four scores and 10 goals against, our team brought forth to the IceHouse, a new level of ineptitude, conceived in futility, and dedicated to the proposition that all of us are equally lousy....

On the bright side, at least Nate scored.

Riedlinger Suspended

GREENSBORO) The Steamers Hockey Club today announced that veteran Bob Riedlinger has been suspended 1 game (without pay) for "conduct detrimental to the team". His anti-American comments following Team USA's captivating run to Olympic Silver were cited as the main reason for his suspension. "As an American-based franchise, we will not tolerate such an arrogant display of anti-patriotism", said GM Dan Auston. "It's a slap in the face to our players, corporate sponsors, and most importantly the Steamer fans whom are primarily American (although are growing in number worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia due to the popularity of Chris Manzo)".

Further, it has been learned that Riedlinger (a Canadian) in an interview about the recent struggling play of the team, called out his Steamer teammates as "4th and 5th tier athletes". This is not the first incident involving Riedlinger. As a member of Team Pucktown (a now defunct B-League franchise), teammates described him as a "lockerroom cancer".

Per the suspension, Riedlinger will miss Wednesday's game versus the Blizzard. "We hope that he learns from this situation and comes back a better man", stated Auston.

Note: In Riedlinger's absence, The Steamers have signed TheFourthPeriod.com babe of the week (file photo below) to fill his vacant roster spot.

Steamers Hockey: One Goal

GREENSBORO) No, this isn't a lame effort by the Steamers organization to mimic the wildy successful "One Goal" marketing campaign of the Chicago Blackhawks - It simply is describing the Steamers offensive output of late. Last week's 9 goal outburst not withstanding, the Steamers have managed to score ONE GOAL (or less) in 3 of the last 4 weeks. This week was another ONE GOAL effort, a 5-1 loss to the Ice Holes. Kyle Blart scored the the Steamers lone goal as their season record fell back below .500 (2-3-0).

The Steamers came out flat in the first period, indicative of a team playing without their heart and soul, Chris Manzo. "I could tell it was going to be a strange night", declared beleaguered captain Dan Auston who played the game in glasses after leaving his contact lenses at home. "Between my vision and my lack of judgement shown in the pre-game dinner (jalapeno crab dip), I knew the game would be a struggle". Andrew Shackleford was also slowed by his pre-game meal choice (Beef Stroganoff).

The Steamers look to rebound as they return from the "West Coast Trip" (string of late games) for a 9 PM (EST) match-up with the Jaguars on Wednesday, Feb. 10.

For additional analysis of the contest, check-out Bryan Taylor's Ice Hole Blog