After a couple of hard Elite League games at the weekend, there's no rest for Paul Thompson and his Steelers. On Tuesday night, Steelers play their fourth game in six days as the matches start to come thick and fast.
For Tuesday night, Valentine's night to be precise, we have this team in town:
Yes it's the second leg of the Challenge Cup semi final against the Bears of Nottingham. The tie is evenly poised as we lead 2-1 from the first game in the fabulous NIC when goals from Andreas "Yaldi Valdi" Valdix and Colton "Fretzky" Fretter cancelled out Brian McGrattan's opener after 90 seconds. It has all the makings of a close encounter where one mistake or moment of brilliance could be the ultimate difference.
Both teams, barring no injuries and suspensions, should be at full strength. This means Steelers should have a full quota of imports, whilst Panthers could be missing the absent Jeff Dimmen and Jason Williams. However, missing those two will not deter Corey Neilson and his men. Both teams have solid goaltending, unpredictable defence but I think Steelers have the slightly pacier forward line and in Colton Fretter - they have a forward playing right on the top level of his game. Panthers have a lethal powerplay which will seriously test the Steelers penalty killers who currently rank 9th out of 10 in the EIHL special teams on the PK; David Clarke will be one to keep a close eye on with that speciality one timer at the back post.
The winners face Cardiff in Ice Arena Wales on 5 March, which means it's either going to be a repeat of last season's final or the 2015 one. Devils having turned a one goal deficit on home ice to shatter any Belfast hopes of a Grand Slam, and cruise into the Final 9-6 on aggregate.
Prediction? Can we do it? Yes it's not beyond us but a solid performance from the first puck drop is required, there is no room for error or having an off night. Everyone has to chip in from the Moose to those forwards who love to bury the biscuit and light the lamp. I think we will make it, but it might need overtime to seal the deal. Just too close to call...
How do you see it?
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