Repeat show against Blaze would suit Steelers

The reigning league and play-off champions head into Saturday night's clash with title favourites Coventry Blaze on the back of a 4-2 defeat at Belfast Giants on Wednesday.

That came after two defeats at the hands of arch-rivals Nottingham Panthers last weekend – the second brought about by conceding three goals in a 90-second spell towards the end of the second period at Sheffield Arena.

Steelers' visit to Coventry's Skydome Arena in December saw them return with a 6-4 win, but Paul Thompson's side have won the other three league meetings between the two sides this season, with two of those being in South Yorkshire.

"We showed a few weeks ago that we can beat Coventry," said Matsos.

"However to do that we have to bring our A-game. We showed at times against Belfast that we can compete but we have to do it for 60 minutes, not 40, not 50 and not 58 like we did against Nottingham.

"Hockey is a game of little battles and we need to win more of those."

Coventry go into the game currently leading the Elite League, having won 14 of their last 19 games.

Steelers head to South Wales on Sunday night hoping to avenge two earlier league defeats there at the hands of Cardiff Devils.