So after the bumps in the road, and then the amazing overtime win in the SSE Arena (I know I've got to get used to calling it this) - we go into the international break with another couple of games that simply have to be won if we are to try and mount a serious challenge for the retention of the Monteith Bowl.
Let's look ahead to them then:
Saturday night - Belfast (H)
Well we seem to have had the Giants number for the majority of the season and I am sure that Derrick Walser will be glad to see the back of us for now after tonight's game is concluded. This is the eighth and final regular season game between the two sides and it's been a bit of a lop-sided series to say the least. Six of the seven (including Tuesday's overtime win) have gone the way of Paul Thompson's men and Giants have only a 4-1 win way back in October as their sole triumph which seems to be a distant memory for the men in teal.
Walser will be hoping for his side to step up and be counted as he was less than happy with them following Tuesday's loss whilst PT will be hoping his side, as banged up as they are, keep the winning feeling going and try to keep those slim (come on and face it, they are slim) title dreams a flickering. Both teams needing wins for quite differing reasons it has to be said.
Prediction Time: This will be a quite tense encounter, and I think the goalies themselves will have a bearing on the final score. Stephen Murphy has had some stellar games in the House Of Steel previously but it's safe to say that he has not been his usual imperious self all season. Marek Pinc in the home net has improved markedly since his initial arrival and shaky start, and will be looking to shut the door on the Giants once more.
Steelers to win this one 3-1.
Sunday night - Coventry (A)
For the second Sunday in succession, Steelers make the trip down to Warwickshire to face the team that currently is proving a bit of a nemesis of sorts, the Coventry Blaze. Ever since the game just before Christmas, the Blaze have won every single encounter and seriously put a dent in the Steelers season. Surely Sunday night will see some kind of redemption? Or is it going to be heartbreak again for Thommo in the arena where he had so much success in the late 90s and early 2000s?
The behemoth known as Stewart again faces us in opposition, and we have to get into his head early doors and not allow him to settle down into "the zone". If we do the latter, then our chances of a win there drastically start to diminish. Vigilant defending on the blue line is also needed as the Blaze have offence which can hurt you if chances are offered up, Jordan Pietrus and Cale Tanaka will be handful for us to deal with. I'm still not convinced by their blue line, it does still look suspect if you start to put it under pressure.
Prediction Time: It's about time we won again in the SkyDome, and we can ill afford another reverse against the Blaze. A loss here again is not to be considered, we have to go there and take the 2 points home with us. I know for sure that Crosby's would have taken a small fortune off me last Sunday if I had been in residence. Only a road win will suffice...
Steelers to edge this one, 2-1 in overtime.
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