For the third week in succession, Steelers have a home and home series against an opponent. This Saturday we finish off our Challenge Cup qualifying campaign and then the following night, hope to build on the success of last weekend and pick up another two point haul in the Elite League.
Our opponents for the weekend ahead are these guys:
Yes it's our nemesis from last season, the Coventry Blaze. Now under the stewardship of former fan favourite Danny Stewart, the Blaze have - like most rosters - undergone a revamp player wise. Stars like Brian Stewart still remain but there is also a host of new faces including the signing of the son of Rod; Liam Stewart.
Danny though is not afraid already to change things if they are not working out. He has jettisoned Darcy Zajac, brother of New Jersey Devil Travis, and brought in Canadian-Italian Taylor Carnevale to the roster. The team as a rule have already flattered to deceive, and find themselves in a position in the table which has been pretty much commonplace for the last few seasons - namely, the bottom end. Fans have been loyal but unimpressed in the same vein.
Therefore Zajac's departure might not be the last if the team continues to underachieve.
However last season, and in the latter part of 2014-15, Blaze have been kind of a monkey on the Steelers' back especially when relying on the behemoth in between those pipes. Stewart is in his third year at the Blaze after signing a two year contract at the end of his initial contact. He has kept Blaze in games they should have been out of sight throughout his tenure at the SkyDome and will be a pivotal figure for them this weekend as usual.
Other players we need to be wary of are newly appointed; for this season; captain Jordan Pietrus who seems to always have his A-Game implemented when we are in opposition and there's also skilled power forward Matt Marquardt and experienced German internationalist Björn Bombis. Left winger Garrett Klotz provides the aggression and is the player that we expect to be the team "policeman" - the fact he picked up 261 PiMs in 2013-14 whilst with the Allen Americans in the CHL adds credence to this statement.
Steelers need to show the same ability that got them through two tricky games against Fife and also gained them the win in the SkyDome earlier this season. If they can do this, then the Blaze will be there for the taking. Staying out of the penalty box will also be key, especially in the tighter confines of the Coventry barn. These are games that we can come away from with success, but Blaze are very much Jekyll and Hyde in the sense that they're so unpredictable. Nobody, and that probably includes Danny Stewart too, knows what kind of performance they will deliver at home or on the road.
Predictions: Steelers to ease past the Blaze 4-1 on the Saturday; then grab a 3-2 win in overtime on the road Sunday.
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