Login

**leafsftw1967** · 06-13-2012, 07:20 PM

Reflecting on the Hamilton Steelhawks Final Stretch Disappointment

After a disappointing loss in last season’s SHL cup finals the Hamilton Steelhawks were determined to make it back to the finals this season and be crowned champions of one of the top hockey leagues in the world. They had a pretty decent three quarters of the season holding a playoff spot for most of that time and had never lost more than two games in a row during this time in the regular season. Heading into the trade deadline the hawks general managers knew that we had a good team in place and just need to do a bit of tweaking to make us cup condemners. So it was May twenty eighth, the SHL trade deadline day and the Hamilton Steelhawks were looking to add some depth to the line up and some veteran presences. They had their mind set at making a deep cup run this season and many people throughout the league believed that they had the right pieces in place to challenge for the cup.

Hamilton was currently in third place in the east and had a whopping eight point lead on the Toronto North Stars and were not far behind the chiefs for second place in the standings. The hawks added some talented players like north stars top center John Falkirk, a top four defenseman in Vyacheslav Onoprienko and a decent forward to add some depth with Patrick Perry. You would think logically that these moves would make the Steelhawks a much better team but they would soon find out that it was not the case. So with ten games left in the regular season all the hawks need to do was win four games to clinch a playoff spot in the eastern conference which they thought would be a manageable task.

[Image: 77721-nhl-semen-varlamov-moi-travmy-uzhe-v-proshlom.jpg]

[Image: 77721-nhl-semen-varlamov-moi-travmy-uzhe-v-proshlom.jpg]

(Hamilton traded for superstar center John Falkirk at the trade deadline hoping that he could give the hawks that extra edge to be a cup contender in the SHL.)

They were off to a good start right after the trade deadline winning the next three games and were almost at the point of clinching a playoff spot. The new additions to the team were fitting in well, guys like Falkirk had three goals in his first three games with the hawks, Perry had two points and Onoprienk was doing well defensively. Early on after the dead line it was looking good for the hawks and they were excited about making a deep playoff run. Hamilton had their own playoff faith in their hands and had nothing to worry about yet. Then ironically to begin this hawks disastrous losing streak, they were playing the North Stars. The Hamilton Steelhawks got down right embarrassed in that game breaking records for the biggest victory in SHL history (if i am not mistaken) as the Stars won ten to one. From there they lost to the elite platoon team who would clinch the top seed in the eastern conference. The next game was a must win against none other than the North Stars. The hawks could be able to eliminate the Stars from playoff contentions with a regulation win but they ended up losing a close game 3 to 2. Now talks and hype in Toronto began to gain some life as the Stars had a legit chance of making a run for that third and final playoff spot in the east. Toronto was able to gain four points on the hawks from the two wins they got against them as well as another two points while the hawks were on the early stages of their losing streak.

Now the Toronto North stars were only two points out of a playoffs spot with three games left. Hamilton still controlled their own faith and they need to win the last three games to have a definite chance of making the playoffs. The hawks players ended up folding under the pressure as they would lose their next two games to the dragons and the chiefs. With one game to go in the regular season all the Hawks needed to do was win one game and they would get their ticket to the big show. After hearing that the North Stars had won their game earlier today Hamilton needed to win or their season would be done.

The hawks came out strong against the chiefs and were able to score the game’s first goal but it went all down hill for there. Minnesota would end up scoring five unanswered goals and send the hawks golfing. At the end of the game everyone from the fans in the stands to the Hamilton players on the ice were silent in disappointment. Then shortly after the fans applauded the team for its effort throughout the season and like usual at the end of a season the players gave their salute and headed off the ice.

[Image: 136093528_extra_large.jpg]

(The Hamilton Steelhawks salute their fans at the end of a disappointing season)

It has now been a week since that disastrous ending to the steelhawks season and we had the chance to catch up and talk with the hawk’s first line defenseman Darian Scherbluk.

Interview

So Darian describe to me the feeling you had on the ice after you lost that heartbreaking game to the Chiefs in the season closer.

Darian: Well I was just shocked that we lost and were not going to be able to be in the playoffs at first. I was almost sure that we (The Hamilton Steelhawks) were going to make the playoffs two weeks ago. We had a huge lead on the North Stars for that final eastern conference playoff spot and we let it slip away. We controlled our own destiny and we ended up messing it up. It is going to be really tough to watch the SHL playoffs this year after not making it.

After the loss finally soaked in I was pretty disappointed to be honest. I had high hopes for the team this season and thought we had a good shot at making a run for the cup. It just goes to show that anything can happen in the great game of hockey. Anyways I am just waiting for that moment for redemption next season when we hit the ice in Hamilton next season.

Interview

What do you think went wrong in the Steelhawks seven game losing streak at the end of the season?

Darian: Really we were just not playing good as a whole untied team. It safe to say nobody on the Steelhawks played some stellar hockey during this losing streak. Honestly I think we only have ourselves to blame for this losing streak. We got a great group of guys in Hamilton and we just were not playing to our highest potentials down the stretch. Every team is going to have their hot streaks and cold streaks and we just got cold at the wrong time.

[Image: tumblr_lnz9hvBuZR1qm2x0ao1_500.jpg]

[Image: tumblr_lnz9hvBuZR1qm2x0ao1_500.jpg]

(Darian Scherbluk talking to the press on locker cleanout day)

Interview

Now that the steelhawks season is done do you have any plans for the off season?

Darian: I would like to spend some time up at my cottage in the Muskoka area north of Hamilton and just relax and take a little break from the intense training of the hockey season. Then after a few weeks of relaxing at the cottage I plan on getting back to the ice and to the gym to get bigger, faster and strong for next season. I want to do everything in my power this off season to improve my abilities so that I can further help the steelhawks organization to be successful on the ice. I will be working out with my brother and my teammate Joe McKeil during the off season. I am also going to have a training week with legendary NHL defense man Nicklas Lidstorm and get a few pointers from him. Overall I want to spend this off season preparing for next season.

Interview

Final question, do you expect a bounce back year in Hamilton next season?

Darian: I see no reason why we can’t only have a bounce back season but make a good run for the cup. We got some important pieces currently in the orginzation. We have a solid top six with McKeil, Lindsay, Martucci, Seguin, O'Keeffe and Wissink. Then on defense we got a solid one two punch with myself and LeBacon and don’t forget about hose two first round picks we got which can help improve our defense. We also have one of the best goaltenders in the league with Crocran who had a stellar season and will just keep improving. Even though we just finished playing for the season I can’t wait to get back out there on the ice at the end of the off season and redeem ourselves.

Interview

Thanks for your time Darian Scherbluk and enjoy the off season.

It looks like the season nine off season will be a busy one for the Hamilton Steelhawks as the look to improve their team. They are looking to resigning some key franchise players with Martucci, Seguin and Lebacon’s contracts up at the end of the season. The hawks also got two high draft picks in the upcoming SHL draft with one of them being the third overall pick. Then there is always trades talks going on during the off season and hawks defenseman Mike Ochocinco has reportedly asked for a trade so it will be interesting to see who we can get in return for him. There are a lot of uncertainties heading into next season for the steelhawks but one thing is for sure and that is Hamilton will be having a busy off season.

[Image: 113081159_std.jpg]