Element of surprise works for Steelers

SHEFFIELD STEELERS' captain Jonathan Phillips is convinced his side caught their opponents on the hop after opening their Elite League campaign with two wins at the weekend.

Player-coach Ben Simon's side followed up a 5-1 hammering of Cardiff Devils on home ice on Saturday with a 6-0 defeat of league newcomers Dundee Stars in Scotland the following night.

Phillips, who opened his goalscoring account in Dundee, said the results were even more impressive given that some of Steelers' roster did not join up with the rest of the team until just three days before the season opener.

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The two remaining members of the team – forwards Derek Campbell and Rob Globke – are expected to arrive in the UK ahead of this weekend.

"It was amazing that everyone worked so well together," said Phillips. "It just seemed to click straight away.

"The fact that our first full session wasn't until the Wednesday makes it all the more impressive.

"Because it was our first game I think we felt we had a point to prove and we wanted to leave it all out there by showing everybody – the fans, the coaches and the owners – what we are capable of. I don't think Cardiff or Dundee were expecting us to come out like we did."

Sheffield Steeldogs continued their preparations for the English Premier League season yesterday by signing Latvian forward Kristaps Pete.