Friday 7th October 2011


The Unison Sheffield Steelers commence their Challenge Cup campaign this weekend with a home game at Ice Sheffield against Coventry Blaze on Saturday evening.


Steelers' Jason Hewitt vs the Fife Flyers

The Challenge Cup is the one trophy that has eluded the Arena side in the 8 years of the Elite Ice Hockey League, though the Steelers lifted the trophy in the ISL era on several occasions.

Forward Jason Hewitt (above) believes it's about time that the Steelers gave the Challenge Cup a better run. "I don't know why, but in recent years the Challenge Cup hasn't been our event at all. I don't know if it's because we have always been so focused on the league, or just been unlucky! What i do know is this year, we're going full out to bring it back to Sheffield.

"There are only three competitions and as players, a trophy is a trophy and this one is important. It's the only trophy I haven't won as a player and it's certainly one I and the rest of the team want to add to our collection.

"They call our group the group of death every year because it's split geographically, so we get Cardiff, Coventry and Nottingham (and Hull).

"The way the fixtures have fallen this year some of the other teams have had the jump on us. Nottingham have played 5 games, Cardiff 4, Coventry 2 and Hull 3.

"The game on Saturday against Coventry is a tough opener but I think if we beat them, we pretty much kill off their chances of qualification and we make it a 3 way fight for the two semi finals spots with Nottingham and Cardiff.

"The game two weeks ago against the Blaze showed that we have the beating of them. Saying that, they have made a change and I think they are threatening a few more, so maybe it's a different Blaze side that will arrive at Ice Sheffield.

"This last weekend showed that we can play short handed and that we have the depth to battle through the resent injuries. We will need every bit of that same effort come Saturday because the Blaze will be on their last Challenge Cup life and fighting every inch of the way."

UNISON Sheffield Steelers v Coventry Blaze
Saturday 8th October 2011
ICE-Sheffield - Face off 7.00pm

Tickets:
Steelers office 0114 242 3535 or the Arena Box Office 0114 256 5656

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