Big Match Preview: Coventry (Home)

Just the single game for our Sheffield Steelers this weekend, Challenge Cup Group B action at the House of Steel. Our visitors: Coventry Blaze.

Chuck Weber's side come to Sheffield on the back of a 4-0 home drubbing last Saturday inflicted by the Steelers, and clearly will be out for some kind of redemption of their own. However, Steelers are a team with plenty of confidence of their own as they followed Saturday's blanking of the Blaze with a 8-1 hammering of Cardiff who had to up to that point, won all three of their group qualifiers.

Last Meeting: The two sides last met on the penultimate weekend of the season. Steelers won that one 2-0 thanks to goals from defencemen Cullen Eddy (who was on a hot streak of scoring) and Ben O'Connor. Brian Stewart made 33 saves for the Blaze, whilst Josh Unice recorded a 24 shot shutout (his fifth of the season). 

Links Between The Sides: The most noticeable link is of course current Steelers coach and general manager Paul Thompson. Thompson spent 20 seasons as coach of the Midlands side, picking up many pieces of silverware. Other players that have played for both sides include the evergreen veteran (and still playing this season) Ashley Tait, net minder Jody Lehman, former NHLer Steven Goertzen and current Steeler O'Connor.

Ben O'Connor: Has played for both Blaze and Steelers

Overall Record: The teams first played each other in 2003 in a game that doubled up as an Elite League and Challenge Cup game, Steelers won that particular encounter 3-2. Since then we have had 115 more games between us with the men in orange holding the advantage, 69 wins to 43 with 4 games being tied.

Can the Steelers make it number 70 on Saturday night?

The Players to Watch:

Levi Nelson (Steelers) - You thought I would be saying Mathieu Roy weren't you? Anyway, the former Boston Bruin draft pick has made an excellent start to the season since arriving in the summer. An excellent two way forward whose work ethic has already endeared him to the Steelers fans. If ever a player did deserve a goal, and get one, last Saturday then it was Levi. He looks so far to be over the injury that shortened his 2015 season, and is showing the qualities that won him a League and Cup double in Italy in 2013-14.

Brian Stewart (Blaze) - To win on Saturday night, Steelers again have to find a way past this absolute behemoth of a goalie. Stewart is a stellar nettie, and was probably one of the reasons why Blaze won the Play-Off Final, but there is a creak underneath his armour. Get into his head and he loses his marbles, and when he does do, it's hugely entertaining to witness. Playing him when his confidence is shot will give Steelers an excellent chance of making it three wins on the bounce.

Prediction: Both sides have recruited well, but Steelers have that bit extra. I can see them winning this one but it won't be as easy as last Sunday ended up being. If I had to hedge my thoughts on a score, I'd probably and say 5-2 Steelers. 

Footnote: When Ben O'Connor played for Coventry, he wore 61 as opposed to 81 which he wears here.

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