Early Blaze blitz expected by Steelers

SHEFFIELD Steelers are being told to expect a first-period onslaught when they visit Coventry Blaze in part two of a festive double-header today.

The Steelers emerged 3-2 victors over the Blaze on Sunday night at the Motorpoint Arena thanks to a Steve Goertzen overtime winner.

But Steelers’ head coach Ryan Finnerty knows opposite number Paul Thompson will have his players fired up to register an immediate revenge victory in the Elite League at the Skydome Arena.

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So far this season, the Steelers have won six of the seven meetings between the two sides, including three of their previous four visits to the West Midlands.

And Finnerty, who is hoping to hear in the next couple of days whether an inquiry for unsettled Belfast Giants forward Scott Champagne has been successful, believes his team can make it seven wins over the Blaze if they emerge from the first 20 minutes relatively unscathed.

“When you go into Coventry, you have to be disciplined,” said Finnerty. “They come out at you so hard in that first period and make life so difficult for you.

“That’s when they play their best hockey, I feel, and if you can come off at the end of the first even or better that can set you up well for the rest of the game.”

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Finnerty said the absence through injury for Coventry of captain Shea Guthrie was a hard one to deal with and is the sort of blow that would punch a hole in any top side.

“Guthrie is a great player,” added Finnerty. “Any time you lose your captain is a huge blow and he’s a big hold in theuir line-up.

“He does everything well, he’s always creating offensively or right there on the forecheck. But they’ve got plenty of other good players there too so we won’t be taking them lightly.”

The trip to Coventry is the first of four away trips in succession for the Steelers, who now sit third in the overall league standings, nine points behind leaders Nottingham Panthers, but with two games still in hand.

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Belfast are next on the horizon this Saturday, followed by a trip to Hull Stingrays 24 hours later. A difficult trip to Fife Flyers then beckons before the Steelers can enjoy home comforts again against Braehead Clan on Sunday, January 13.

“It’s good to get on the road for a few games sometimes,” added Finnerty. “We’ve played really well on the road this season so I’m looking forward to it.”

ANDRE PAYETTE has stepped down as Great Britain Under-20s coach to spend more time in his role as player-coach of Sheffield Steeldogs.

Payette, who was appointed only last year to the role, guided the GB team to a fifth-place finish in the recent World Championship Division One tournament in Ukraine.

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“Due to my commitments with the Sheffield Steeldogs and the Sheffield junior program, it has become evident that I would not be in a position to dedicate the time needed to prepare the squad for the coming year,” said Payette.”

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