WHILE there may be numerous permutations surrounding his team’s Challenge Cup clash against Manchester Storm, for Sheffield Steelers’ head coach Aaron Fox the remit is quite simple: just win.

Anything less than two points from their final Group A clash at the Utilita Arena against Cal Critchlow’s team leaves the Steelers relying on results elsewhere in order to book their advance to the semi-final stages.

The Steelers have already seen one opportunity to get over the line and secure a top-two finish come and go when they were edged out 1-0 at Cardiff Devils on Saturday night.

A point from their encounter with Manchester would return them to the top of the group, guarantee at least third spot overall and a place in the semi-final elimination game with the runners-up from Group B.

But they would still be left waiting on the outcome of Manchester’s remaining two group games against Coventry Blaze and Cardiff Devils before finding out their exact pathway to the last four.

Take nothing from the Storm meeting and they would drop to third, be overtaken by Guildford (who would have more regulation wins) and be left hoping that Manchester don’t win their last two games.

As for Fox, while no doubt frustrated that his team haven’t taken care of business already, he knows they still control their own destiny. And he promises there will be no holding back from his players.

“We're still in a position to take care of our own business here, so it’s pretty simple for us,” said Fox following Tuesday morning’s practice session.

STEPPING UP: Tim Gettinger says Sheffield Steelers will have to overcome any injury issues when they face Manchester Storm tonight and attempt to clinch a Challenge Cup semi-final spot. Picture: Hayley Roberts/Steelers Media.

placeholder image — STEPPING UP: Tim Gettinger says Sheffield Steelers will have to overcome any injury issues when they face Manchester Storm tonight and attempt to clinch a Challenge Cup semi-final spot. Picture: Hayley Roberts/Steelers Media.

“We're going to play this game like it's a play-off game - we know what's at stake.

“One of our goals at the start of the season was to finish in the top two and be able to go directly into the semi-final. We’ve had a good skate today and we'll be ready to go.”

For American forward Tim Gettinger – one of the summertime new arrivals to South Yorkshire – the idea of a separate competition in addition to the regular season and play-offs will initially have come as something of a surprise.

But the importance of all three trophies on offer at the start of every Motorpoint Elite League campaign was made pretty clear to him soon after landing.

INJURY DOUBT: Sheffield Steelers' top goalscorer Mitchell Balmas sat out both games at the weekend. Picture: Hayley Roberts/Steelers Media.

“From day one, Foxy and everyone has made it clear – especially for the new guys – what the Challenge Cup means,” said Gettinger, a fifth round NHL Draft pick - and 141st overall - for the New York Rangers.

“It’s been a big thing for us. We want to qualify. Trophies are important to us.

“We’ve already had that conversation and we know how big Wednesday is, so we’ll be ready for it.”

The Steelers will be without captain Rob Dowd once again, a date for whose return is not yet known but, at the weekend, Fox said fellow forwards Mitchell Balmas and Mikko Juusola would be assessed further before a decision was made on whether they played any part.

WORKING IT OUT: Sheffield Steelers' head coach, Aaron Fox. Picture: Hayley Roberts/Steelers Media.

Top goalscorer Balmas missed both the Cardiff defeat and the 6-3 league win at home to Fife Flyers, a game in which Juusola had to be escorted off the ice from after taking a nasty-looking hit.

Gettinger, who spent last year in the DEL with Schwenninger Wild Wings, acknowledges the important role each of the three players brings to the team, but added it was an opportunity for others on the roster to step up to the plate.

“It’s tough losing two key players, but it’s next man up,” he said.

“Everyone is pulling the rope right now and every night we need different guys to step up.

“Hopefully they’re back soon, but we can’t wait on that.

“We just have to go out there every night with whoever is available, stick to the game plan and get results.”

Gettinger believes the Steelers produced good performances across both nights at the weekend, ultimately paying the price for conceding what turned out to be a first-minute game-winning goal in South Wales before holding off a worrying comeback from a Flyers team who had got the better of them twice before.

“We obviously weren’t happy with how the game ended in Cardiff,” he said.

“Apart from maybe the first five minutes, I thought we played well as a team and it was unfortunate to come away with nothing.

“Then against Fife, I thought our first period was really good.

“We had a little lull in the second, took a couple of penalties and let them back into the game, but we moved past it.

“Towards the end of the second and into the third, I thought we took over again. So overall it was a good weekend, and now we have a big week coming up.

“As a group, we just keep talking on the bench and stay positive through it all.

“Against Cardiff there were times where we were around the perimeter, but we still did a lot of good things like getting pucks to the net and getting bodies there and we just stuck with it.

“Against Fife, especially in the first period, it showed. We were simple, we got pucks to the net and we got rewarded. That’s what we have to stick with moving forward into the Manchester game.”