Big Match Preview - Manchester Double Header

After the happy mood on Tuesday night when we made the Challenge Cup Final, we go back to the bread and butter which is the Elite League. The top two are in action against each other this weekend so here's hoping that they take points off each other. If we can take care of our destiny, it could be a good one for us.

Yes, it's farewell for a bit to the Bears but playing a home and home weekend against these:

Yes it's the Maaaaannchester Storm! In other words, it's also this:

The War Of The Roses! Yorkshire vs Lancashire or whichever way you want to put it. Breadcakes vs Barmcakes as well. Having lived in both counties I know full well that there's still no love lost between them and even in hockey, one definitely wants to have the bragging rights. Why else would we want it any other way? Exactly we wouldn't.

Manchester come to Sheffield on Saturday, lying in seventh place in the overall standings. It's a much improved roster from last season's quickly assembled outfit. There's definitely more quality in the shape of defenceman and captain Trevor Johnson, the tricky Mario Valery-Trabucco and the brother of a former NHLer called Mark Heatley. Despite the obvious bumps in the road, Storm are growing on and off ice. If a team is off their game on a given night, Storm will punish you. Just ask Cardiff, Storm have won there!

That's why we need to be focused from the get go, in both games. Otherwise it could be embarrassing and time to wipe the egg off our collective faces. Four points is not beyond the realms of possibilities. It's closing in the final stages, we just to keep winning and maybe just maybe - some bumps in the road will happen to those above and we seize it last gasp like we have done beforehand. Be the seventh player on the ice, let's do it.

Prediction: Steelers to win 5-2 on the Saturday and to complete the double with a 3-1 on the Sunday. What do you think?

 

Thanks for reading everybody. Remember if you want to be a part of Frozen Steel you can get into touch with us on Twitter or find us on our Facebook Page, remembering to like us and leave a comment. We will then get back in touch:

@FrozenSteelBlog

@FrozenSteelMNL

@hockeybhoy

@DISGU15ED

Don't forget to listen to our weekly podcast  Breaking The Ice

It's available on iTunes to listen and download, also on Soundcloud

Or drop us an email to Frozen Steel Blog