Big Match Preview: Cardiff and Fife

Welcome, a bit later than planned due to Mark's work commitments, to your preview of this weekend's Steelers hockey action.

After winning the first leg of their Challenge Cup quarter final on Wednesday evening at Dundee, Steelers are back in the bread and butter of the Elite League this weekend with another couple of testing encounters. 

Their first game is a daunting one, as we head south to face this side:

Yes it's none other than the current holders of the Monteith Bowl, Andrew Lord and his Cardiff Devils. See why I said it was a daunting encounter. Steelers record in Ice Arena Wales isn't great, in fact it's about on par with our general Erhardt Conference record which everyone knows has to improve dramatically. Four points out of a possible eighteen is not good enough, but what better way to start to rectify it by winning on the road in South Wales. The team have done it before when the chips appeared to be down so to speak, it's not mission impossible.

Cardiff had a slow start to the season, abetted by their Champions Hockey League adventure where they acquitted themselves very well. The wheels are starting to turn and the gears are settling, with the Devils currently in second place at the time of tonight's game. Steelers know that they will need to produce their ultimate "A" road game to take the points away from the principality. That said, Cardiff are far from invincible, you just have to look at the Devils-Fife game for proof in the proverbial pudding. 

After this test, we have another tough examination at the House Of Steel as we play host to a team that has been probably the surprise packet of the season so far. We entertain the following:

The league's oldest club in terms of longevity are in town, the Fife Flyers. Tipped by numerous to be in the bottom half of the table and struggling, Fife come to Sheffield just three points behind the Steelers and with a remarkable five games in hand on us. Todd Dutiaume has recruited a squad that battle for each other every night and are very, very dangerous. Granted Fife's record in Sheffield isn't fantastic, from memory I don't think they have beaten us in Sheffield at EIHL level, but they are more than capable of putting this right on Sunday if we are a bit away from the gameplan.

So what are my predictions? Steelers to take a point from Cardiff in a 3-2 overtime loss but win at home on Sunday against the Flyers; 5-1 the score. How do you see it?

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