Giants switch leads to Steelers’ sellout

Although there were positive developments late this week with the faulty ice plant at the Motorpoint Arena, it has come too late to save the planned-for home opener, meaning the Steelers have had to shift it to Ice Sheffield tomorrow night (5pm).

Steelers will continue their Challenge Cup campaign tonight when they travel down the M1 to take on Nottingham Panthers at the National Ice Centre.

Steelers’ owner Tony Smith said: “I can only apologise to all of our supporters who have been so patient with ourselves and the arena these past three weeks.

“We had really hoped that this Sunday would see us return to the Arena.”

Belfast will provide a stiff test for the county’s other Elite League team, Hull Stingrays, when the two meet in East Yorkshire tonight (6.30pm).

Stingrays go into the game on the back of a fantastic 5-4 overtime victory over Dundee Stars on Tayside in the Gardiner Conference last Sunday.

Hull player-coach Omar Pacha, ruled out with a broken arm, said: “It is going to be a good challenge for the players, myself and the organisation.

“It is something like 20 games since we last beat them so we will be hoping to break that.

“They are a good team and have a lot of experienced, veteran players.”