Jets provide high-flying test for Steeldogs

SHEFFIELD Steeldogs face a stern examination of their outside title credentials when they take on fellow high-fliers Slough Jets in a pivotal double header this weekend,
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Dec 2011, 23:47 BST

Andre Payette’s team, who salvaged last weekend by following up a 3-2 loss at Milton Keynes Lightning with a come-from-behind 6-4 win at struggling Telford Tigers.

The only previous meeting between Sheffield and the Jets this season saw the Berkshire club triumph 4-1 at The Hangar, with player-coach Doug Sheppard’s side going into this weekend on the back of two wins last weekend to keep them level on points with current leaders Guildford Blaze.

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Sunday’s meeting back at Ice Sheffield (5.30pm) doubles up as a Premier Cup meeting with points vital to both sides’ hopes of making the last four.

While acknowledging the quality of opposition his players will face this weekend - former Coventry Blaze favourite Adam Calder leads the Jets scoring with 39 points, including 21 goals, in 20 games - Payette is impressed enough with his own young side to believe they can get something from the two games.

He said: “I’m very proud of my hard-working and resilient team.

“It has a ‘never-say-die’ attitude which has brought us back in a few third periods to win games. I’m expecting another tremendous effort from the guys and I think we’ll see two close games.”