Payette happy his Steeldogs are set

The 36-year-old Canadian takes his side to reigning play-off champions Slough Jets on before welcoming Swindon Wildcats to Ice Sheffield tomorrow (5.30pm).

The Steeldogs proved the surprise package last term, finishing third in the league as well as being Cup runners-up and play-off semi-finalists.

Despite losing key players in the summer – most notably goaltender Ben Bowns and free-scoring forward Janiz Ozolins to Elite League outfit Hull Stingrays – Payette is not unduly worried about his team’s chances this time around, a confidence partly borne out of the acquisition of two experienced players heading out of Hull, forward Derek Campbell and defenceman Dmitry Rodin.

Pre-season saw the Steeldogs lose 7-5 over two legs against Hull, before edging out last year’s regular season league champions Manchester Phoenix in the annual ‘War of the Roses’ two-legged encounter, winning 3-2.

“The games against the likes of Hull are invaluable for our preparations,” said Payette. “They got us ready for the Manchester games which are like play-off matches anyway.”

In the Elite League, Sheffield Steelers welcome Coventry Blaze to the Motorpoint Arena tonight (7pm), before a reverse of the fixture in the West Midands tomorrow.

Hull Stingrays finally get their league schedule underway with a trip to Dundee Stars in the Gardiner Conference tomorrow.