With a Canadiens loss last night - the Isles are two points behind the 8th place team.  Now - with the next seven games on home ice, it is time, FINALLY, for this team to take a big step up.  This will do two things:

1. Shut up the critics that believe that we are just going to dump our players and run the proverbial table until the season ends
2. Start putting team in the rearview mirror.

Ricky has been BIG of late - he has done the kind of things that will begin to put your name among the elite.  The numbers are not there yet, but they will be.  He is 3rd in the league in shutouts, and he will not reach Brodeur levels, his name is improving on that list.

Now we need to get the offensive players on the ball, and home cooking is just the remedy.  Satan, Hunter and Kozlov, have responded to the coach’s call for offense.  Now it is time for the Robitaille’s, Hilbert’s and especially, the Blake’s of this world to get their collective chests pumping.

Player to watch:  Randy Robitaille.  With York a busts in two cities this year - it seems like we can call the Randy Robitaille deal a wash. However, it would be nice for #27 to get his game going in the right direction.  He has a good shot, and has had some decent chances at times.  Other times, he looks like a lost puppy - seeking his toy bone.

Is Yash playing?  Maybe his face should be on the body of Waldo…

And speaking of Waldo - where is Keith’s favorite basher?  Will Bates play again - - - ?  I am sure we all know what KPMats wants to see happen????

Well - enjoy the game! 

BTW - Story on Sheffield’s game last night in the Challenge Cup against the Coventry Blaze, courtesy of www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk.

02/14/2007 11:19 PM

Both teams had chances in a very competitive 1st period, but at the end of the first twenty there was one goal separating the teams. The goal came the way of the home team at 13.26 on the powerplay as Adam Calder fired home his 23rd of the season. Moments later Steelers had a 5 on 3 powerplay and despite numerous chances on the Blaze goal the home side held firm to maintain their lead. Blaze doubled their advantage at 25.12 with a second powerplay goal as Sylvain Cloutier shot home his 20th of the season. The Steelers cut the deficit at 31.14, as Dan Tessier with his 13th was on hand to tip past Trevor Koenig. With 37.48 on the clock the Blaze powerplay unit came good for the third time on the night as Adam Calder with his second of the game shot home his 24th. With only seconds remaining in the period Dan Tessier almost got his second but his shot rebounded off the bar. Mark Thomas with only his 3rd goal of the season got the visitors right back into the game as he netted at 42.17 to make it a one goal game but within two minutes the Blaze regained their two-goal advantage as Ashley Tait with his 19th found the net at 44.44. But the Steelers showed great character as they came right back into it yet again at 48.03 as they finally got their poweplay play unit to work at the seventh attempt with Ryan Finnerty netting his 5th goal in seven starts to make it 4-3 to the home side. With just over 4 minutes remaining the gods were against the Steelers for the second time as Shaun Sutter saw his shot come off the bar. At the end of a pulsating 1st leg, Coventry hold a slender advantage but the Steelers must still fancy their chances with home advantage to come on 27th March at the Sheffield Arena. Period Scores: 1-0, 2-1, 1-2 Penalty Mins: 20-12 Shots On: Trevor Koenig 35 – Jody Lehman 38