Sheffield Steeldogs’ coach Ben Morgan sees grounds for hope over NIHL National 2020-21 season

The Steeldogs are one of three clubs taking part in the behind-closed-doors tournament and opened up their campaign with a comfortable 5-1 win over Swindon Wildcats on Sunday night at Ice Sheffield, their first competitive game since March 14.

Swindon beat Milton Keynes Lightning 8-6 on home ice the previous evening.

With no spectators are currently allowed into rinks because of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated social distancing rules, the Series is broadcasting games live on the internet.

A combined total of around 2,800 online tickets were sold across the weekend, with the ultimate aim being to convince other second-tier teams to come on board and hopefully – subject to government approval – start some kind of league campaign early in 2021.

“It proves logistically that everything can be in place,” said Morgan, when asked to reflect on the whole weekend. “If you’ve got the rink management committee on board, all the owners on board, the vast majority of players that can play and want to play on board and the officials as well, I see no reason why it can’t be expanded.

“But, ultimately, it comes down to the spectators and if they are interested and entertained, then they will buy in as well and that’s what we need them to do.”

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