The Sheffield Steelers are expecting a tough game against long running rivals Nottingham Panthers tonight.
Having relieved their Gary Graham of his duties following what many would view as a poor run of form, there is an expectation the Panthers are set to bounce back under their new head coach.
Corey Neilson, won 14 trophies in his first stint at Nottingham and his appointment, this week, has added an extra edge to an already nail-biting contest.
Steelers head coach, Aaron Fox, told Sheffield Wire he is expecting a reaction from the Nottingham side.
He said: “They’ll come out and play very desperate hockey tonight. Its almost like a clean slate for a bunch of guys who were in the doghouse with Gary Graham.
“Now they have a first impression to prove what they can bring to that team, so I think we’ll probably see the best of what Nottingham’s got right now.”
Despite the occasion, the Steelers are solely focused on continuing their impressive season so far and aren’t being distracted by talks of rivalry and a potential Panther’s resurgence.
“For us its just about coming out ready to play the right way. I think our structure and our group will prevail,” Fox said.
“The longer that game goes on I think we will wear the Panthers down. We just have to know that they are going to come hard at us.”
In their final practice session on Friday, the mood in the camp was bouyant and recent recruit Danny Kristo thinks this is largely down to the atmosphere the team creates.
He said: “Its a very family-based culture in the dressing room. Everyone is in it with the same purpose and I think that goes a long way to our success as a team.”
With the Steelers sitting 2nd in the League, a victory tonight on their home ice at the Utilita Arena is vital in their pursuit of silverware this season.
