MITCHELL BALMAS expects more experimentation from Sheffield Steelers’ head coach Aaron Fox as the countdown continues to the start of the 2026-27 Elite League season.

The Steelers complete their pre-season programme this weekend with a double-header against top-flight rivals Manchester Storm, who visit the Utilita Arena on Saturday before being the first team to face-off against Cam Critchlow’s team at their new AO Arena home.

The Steelers opened their pre-season with two defeats to Cardiff Devils last weekend but, given Paul Thompson’s team had started their pre-season more than a week earlier, there was plenty of promise from the two Steelers’ performances.

With Manchester having got together for their 26-27 preparations at around the same time as the Steelers, Balmas believes this weekend will give a better indication of where they are at in terms of readiness for their opening game of the season proper against Coventry Blaze on September 12 in the Challenge Cup.

PREPARATIONS: Sheffield Steelers lost out twice to Cardiff Devils on their opening weekend of pre-season last week. Picture: Cerys Heslop/Steelers Media.

placeholder image — PREPARATIONS: Sheffield Steelers lost out twice to Cardiff Devils on their opening weekend of pre-season last week. Picture: Cerys Heslop/Steelers Media.

“It was good to get those first two games out of the way,” said Balmas earlier this week.

“Manchester started at the same time as we did, so unlike Cardiff last weekend, I think these games will give us a better read of exactly where we are as a team.

“They’ve retained a lot of last year’s group and brought in some exciting new talent as well, so it should be a really good test for us.

“It’s pre-season, so I’m sure Foxy will keep some things together and move other things around.

GETTING READY: Sheffield Steelers' Mitchell Balmas. Picture: Karl Denham/EIHL Media.

“These games against Manchester will help us find the combinations that click and work out what is going to help us further down the road.”

Balmas also believes playing in a bigger arena in front of a bigger crowd on Sunday will suit the Steelers.

It will be a stark contrast to the 2,000-capacity Planet ice Altrincham rink that the Storm have been playing out of ever since they returned to the fold back in 2016.

“It’ll be nice playing them there,” added Balmas.

“No disrespect to Altrincham, but I think everybody will enjoy playing in that kind of building.

“We know ourselves there’s nothing quite like skating out in front of eight, nine or ten thousand fans.”