MCCARTNEY EXTENDS STEELERS WIN STREAK TO TWO

On a night where the weather played more of a factor than the opposition, the Steelers' Don McCartney took the team on his shoulders and generated the offence the Steelers needed to secure the big win. The snow storm played havoc with the majority of the Steeler players with only Larry Romanuik having enough foresight to leave for the rink 3 hours in advance. While Larry actually got to the game an hour early, the rest of the team got to the rink right at game time. Before the Steelers could get enough players on the ice to form a team, nearly one and a half period rolled off the clock as the refs ran the clock until both teams were out there. Funny thing was that Larry was nearly the last guy out of the dressing room. The weather and other factors kept a number of Steelers away - the team was without Lam, Serdan, Neild, Beausejour, Jones, and Warkentin. Once again the call was made to the farm for Mike Didulka to fill a gap in the line up. However, the offence came from McCartney whose first brake away goal of the game came with only a few minutes left in the third. The team felt that they could use some more ice time so and asked Marc-Andre to give out a Raycroft-like rebound with less than a minute left and the Ice Dragons tied it to force overtime. Cue McCartney - Don's second break away of the game came with less than 2 minutes left in the extra frame and he made no mistake and buried his second of the game to give the Steelers the win.

Scoring Summary:

McCartney G 2 (6) A 0
Rubin G 0 A 1 (4)
Carvahlo G 0 A 1 (5)
Romaniuk G 0 A 1 (9)

Next Game - Tuesday, Feb 19 at 7:30pm vs. Black Plague

Game Scratches: Pouliot (Doubtful)

SUMMER ROSTER TAKING FORM AS STEELERS GM ADDS FOUR MORE

GM 'Fletch' Durigon faced the press yet again today to announce another huge set of signings. The savvy GM introduced speedy winger Doug Colterman, multi-purpose veteran Rob Sidey, goaltender Michael Shipticki, and defenceman Greg Battle (who agreed to terms only minutes ago) to the media as the newest additions to the summer version of the Steelers.

Durigon commented that Colterman will be counted on for 40-50 goals during the summer campaign and that Sidey's versatility may see him flip between Centre and the blue line from time to time. Sidey will also rival Larry Romaniuk as the elder statesman of the team raising the average age of the team to approximately 47 (or thereabouts). Battle, will add size and toughness to the blueline core who will be without the Chara sized Marco Jones for the summer campaign. Shipticki, also known as 'Shipper' may find himself fighting for the number one net minder position with Durigon (who will likely end up on the blue line) and winter number 1, Marc Andre Pouliot (although strong rumor has it that Pouliot will be out of the line up for most of the regular season with…get this…exams). Most of you will recognize Shipticki from a recent McDonald's commercial, where a real-life size Shipticki was filmed stopping shot after shot and shouting insults like 'Nogoalov'!.

Durigon was asked if he saw a risk of over-committing valuable cap space with the signing of the latest Steelers, to which he responded with a smile, "not at all, each player is on a two way contract and the 'no-trade' clause was carefully omitted from negotiations".

Durigon was also busy re-upping player coach Craig Lindsay, Anthony Lam, Jeff Garner, Gualter Carvahlo, K-Man, and Larry Romanuik for the summer squad. The moves have certainly hit home in Vegas as the Steelers have moved to even money favorites to take the E-1 Division summer crown.

STEELERS SIGN THREE FREE AGENT VETERANS

General Manager Durigon ('Fletch') announced today at a surprise press conference the shocking signing of not 1, not 2, but 3 highly touted veteran forwards for the Steelers Summer Campaign.

Veterans Tzvi 'The Butcher' Hirschman, Gerry Jones, and Todd Nichol have all accepted offers to play for the Steelers in the Tuesday night league at Ice Sports.

Reporters asked Durigon if there were more surprise signings on the horizon. While Durigon would not tip his hat, reliable sources say that discussions are underway with other players - although Durigon would not elaborate in fear of tampering charges from the commissioner.

Stay tuned.

TZVI – WELCOME TO THE CHECKING LINE….

Craig Lindsay

BTW, I will give you the new Tzvi Bio..

I train 5 times a week in the gym. Boxing, weights and cardio, I am presently a svelte 192 lbs., bench pressing 225 lbs, 150 push ups per work out etc etc.

CHECKING LINE MY ASS.

Stay tuned ...........................................

STEELERS SNAP LOSING STREAK WITH WIN OVER HITMEN

Yet another lean line up suited up for the Steelers this week against the division's 4th place squad, the Toronto Hitmen. Back in the lineup was a leaner and meaner Coach Lindsay who started on the checking line with Justin Warkentin and Mike Didulka who was called up from the Northern Ontario Sudbury Nickle Miners Semi-Pro 40 and over league. Also called up was Ray Hori who made his second straight appearance with the club - sources say, there may be a spot on the team for the veteran defenceman.

The Hitmen jumped all over the Steelers in the first few moments of the game hemming the Steelers in their own end, but failed to capitalize on their chances. The Steelers, however, made the most of theirs, the first coming in the first period when Ray Hori's slapper from the point seemed to surprise the Hitmen goalie as he was sliding across the crease for the save but could not get across in time to knock down Hori's blast. The second period saw more pressure from the Hitmen, but again the Steelers were next to strike as Justin Warkentin let a patented wrist shot go that fooled the Hitmen netminder high. The Hitmen quickly got that one back only seconds afterwards and the teams traded chances but headed into the third all tied up. The Steelers powerplay then took the stage and it worked to perfection as Warkentin fed Larry Romanuik whose blast from the point was kicked out to Didulka who promptly batted in the rebound to restore the Steelers two goal lead. The Steelers then went into their left wing lock defensive scheme which the Hitmen could hardly penetrate. With only 1:07 on the clock the Hitmen made it a one goal game when a shot from the point somehow eluded Durigon. The Hitment, with their goalie pulled had a couple of chances to tie it late but were denied.

The win snaps a 3 game losing streak, and puts the Steelers only 1 point out of 7th with only 5 games remaining in the regular season.

Scoring summary:

Didulka G 1 (2) A 1 (2)
Romaniuk G 0 A 2 (8)
Hori G 1 (1) A 0
Warkentin G 1 (8) A 0
Neild G 0 A 1 (7)
Nichols G 0 A 1 (3)

Next game is next Tuesday, Feb 12, at 7:30pm vs.the Ice Dragons

STEELERS DON'T PLAY HOCKEY WITH STRANGERS

The Steelers were for a second straight game sporting a thin bench. With many of the regulars away and many of the subs either away or suspended, the Steelers couldn't match up against the Strangers who looked like they should be sent back up to D1 from whence they came. Before the first period was over the Strangers notched 3 to take a commanding lead. They stretched it to 4-0 before the Steelers got one back on the power play - a nice shot from the point from Marco Jones the eluded a screened Stranger goalie. Unfortunately, that was is for the Steelers as the Strangers added two more for a convincing 6-1 victory. It was also potentially moving week and General Manager Durigon feared (or maybe hoped) that after 3 straight losses that have left the team in last place in the D2 division that a move to E1 was on its way. The league published it's schedule for the rest of the season that night and the Steelers were spared the demotion.

Scoring Summary:

Jones G 1 (2) A 0
Warkentin G 0 A 1 (6)
Durigon G 0 A 1 (4)

Next Game - Tuesday, Feb 5, at 7:30 pm vs Toronto Hitmen