Cloutier looks for added intensity

An in-form Steelers arrive at Hull Arena on Sunday night (6.00pm) having won 12 of their last 13 matches and on the back of a five-game winning streak which has seen them plunder 43 goals.

Although the Steelers clinched victory in both Challenge Cup matches between the two teams earlier this season, the six-game series is tied at one win apiece, both ending as one-sided victories.

Hull suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat at Ice Sheffield in November on a night when they simply failed to show up. And it looked loike being a repeat show in Hull just over two weeks later after the visiting Steelers raced into a two-goal lead within five minutes.

But 36-year-old Cloutier displayed his unboudted leadership qualities in rallying his battered troops to hit back and score seven goals without reply as they ran a ragged Steelers all over the ice in a fully deserved 7-2 triumph.

Sunday's game is the first of three in 11 days between the Yorkshire rivals. Hull travel to Sheffield on Wednesday before the Steelers pay a swift return visit to Hull Arena on February 9.

In between those two dates, Hull will be looking to secure four valuable points against troubled Edinburgh Capitals who have been subjected to a number of humiliating defeats in rcent weeks following the departure of most of their import players.

Cloutier – whose team travel north to face eighth-placed Dundee Stars on Saturday night – said his players must ensure they remain tight defensively if they are to stop a Steelers team who have scored 43 goals in their last five games.

"They are scoring a lot of goals at the moment and playing some very good hockey," said Cloutier.

Listen to Sylvain Cloutier look ahead to the clash with Sheffield Steelers by clicking the green PLAY button at the top of the page.

"That's why they are going for a league title right now so we need to stay strong defensively and up our intensity levels to compete with them all night.

"we know we have to produce our best game against the top teams if we are to get anything out of those games. And I think the guys we have here in Hull want to compete and it's a challenge for them to beat the big clubs and it's always a reward when we do.

"But we'll only do that against Sheffield if we compete for the full 60 minutes."

Listen and read what Steelers coach Ben Simon has to say about Sunday's night clash against Hull by going HERE

Cloutier said an earlier departure time for the long coach journey to Dundee on Saturday night might help his players challenge from the first face-off in a third visit to the Stars' home.

So far it has proved a fruitless hunting ground for Hull who suffered a 9-4 defeat in November before succumbing to a 4-2 loss a few weeks later.

"We need to play it like a play-off game, like a Game Seven. We need to show up from the start," added Cloutier.

"The first time we didn't show up until the third period and then it took us half a game to wake up the second time.

"It is a long trip but we are leaving earlier this time, will stop off to stretch the legs and to get some fresh air."