The Sheffield Steelers return to the Utilita Arena this Saturday to face off with the Nottingham Panthers, a big derby in English hockey’s Elite Ice Hockey League.

The Panthers last game on home ice was a 2-4 defeat to the Dundee Stars last Sunday, a game which frustrated head coach Aaron Fox.

He said: “We didn’t have a lot of get up and go in our game tonight.

“We’re banged up with guys not in our lineup and banged up with guys in our lineup that are playing through some stuff.”

The Steelers suffered back to back defeats after a trip to Wales on Wednesday night ended in a 6-3 defeat to the Cardiff Devils.

The squad has been hit with several absences and injuries in recent weeks, leaving Fox to pick from a depleted group of players.

He said: “We’ve built this team on pace and depth.

“When you’re thin and banged up and tired it’s hard to play that way.”

Despite this, Steelers player Maxime Golod has hit good form recently, picking up man of the match and a goal against Dundee.

Fox described him as a “good skill guy” who has injected some energy and life into the Steelers.

The side have also been reinforced by goaltender Jere Huhtamaa who arrived from Finland this week. He is set to start against Nottingham tomorrow. 

Fox claimed his 223rd win as coach last Saturday against Manchester, meaning he now has more wins than any other Steelers coach.

A 224th win for the Steelers under Fox this Sunday could lift them as high as second in the Elite League table.

Despite the recent dip in form, The Steelers go into the match in fourth place, three places above their opponents.

Nottingham come into this game on the back of two wins, setting up what should be a highly contested match this Sunday.