Nottingham Panthers v Sheffield Steelers - Challenge Cup brings fierce rivals together again

NOBODY at Sheffield Steelers will need reminding about last season's Challenge Cup semi-final.
WE'LL MEET AGAIN: Sheffield Steelers travel to Nottingham Panthers for the first leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. Picture: Dean Woolley.WE'LL MEET AGAIN: Sheffield Steelers travel to Nottingham Panthers for the first leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. Picture: Dean Woolley.
WE'LL MEET AGAIN: Sheffield Steelers travel to Nottingham Panthers for the first leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final on Wednesday night. Picture: Dean Woolley.

After losing the first leg at Ice Sheffield 8-0 to arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers, Paul Thompson’s side went a small way to redeeming themselves in the second leg when they went down 2-0.

Even so, it was a humiliating experience for the five-time Elite League champions and one they will be determined to avoid this time around when the two sides meet again tonight at the same stage of the same competition.

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In the Elite League era, the Steelers have never won the Challenge Cup - the closest they came being two years ago when they lost 2-1 on home ice in the final against Cardiff Devils.

Nottingham, by contrast, have an unparalleled record in the competition, going on to win the trophy for the eighth time last year with a 1-0 Grand Final victory over Cardiff.

Wednesday night’s encounter should be far closer however, with the Steelers enjoying good form of late, having won five of their last six league games, including a huge win away at league leaders Cardiff on Sunday.

In five league encounters between the two so far this season, the Steelers have won three including a big 8-1 win in November, but the Panthers prevailed in the last two meetings, making tonight’s cup match tough to call.

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In terms of team news, the Steelers are expected to field a full strength side, while the Panthers will make a late decision on the fitness of forward Stephen Schultz. The hosts are already without long term injury concerns Geoff Waugh and David Clarke as they look for a repeat of last year’s success.