Weekend Preview: Better The Devil You Know

Apologies for the headline

This weekend sees the Steelers play a home/away double header against our former glorious owner's playthings, and everyone's favourite Elite League club from Wales.

Team News
Great news for the Sheffield Steelers, as both Robert Dowd and Jeff Legue return from injury - Legue has only missed Sunday's defeat in Coventry with an ankle problem, while Dowd has been absent since gaining a concussion from the boards in the NIC in November. There is also an outside chance that Dustin Kohn will return, having also been ruled out with concussion, although his return may take a little longer.

Even better news is the return to the ice of Max Lacroix. This week, he skated for the first time since breaking his ankle at the end of September. Elite Prospects tentatively has his return date as December 24th. While I find this highly unlikely, and a return date of February is being thrown about as more likely, the fact he has returned to the ice should give us all some hope.

As for the Devils, the only confirmed news I am aware of is that 'wildcard signing' Phil Cook - with questionable numbers in college hockey - has been brought in to replace the retiring Dan Lacosta, who has had to call it a day due to repeated concussions.

Steelers This Weekend
Saturday - vs Cardiff Devils (Motorpoint Arena)
Saturday sees the Steelers face the cameras, as Aaron Murphy brings the Premier Sports wagon into Sheffield. Each game so far on TV has been a veritable goalfest, and I expect this to be no diff...no sorry I couldn't say it. It won't be the gung ho that some of the other games have been, but I expect goals from both teams.

By the way, the christmas shirts. Sorry not sorry.

Sheffield Steelers 5-3 Cardiff Devils

Sunday - @ Cardiff Devils (BBT)
Sunday sees the return fixture, as the Steelers visit the Welsh capital. The smaller rink, the lack of tv cameras, our poor record in Cardiff...I see a different result on Sunday. Depends how much momentum we carry from Saturday I guess. Personally, I don't see a 4 point weekend.

Cardiff Devils 3-2 Sheffield Steelers

For a Devils's perspective, check out Mark Johncock's Opposition Bench feature HERE.