Steeldogs look to even some scores

ANDRE Payette is targeting two wins as he looks for his Sheffield Steeldogs team to extend their four-match unbeaten run.

First the South Yorkshire club must overcome 2012-13 play-off champions Slough jets on home ice before heading south to take on the Bracknell Bees.

A Derek Campbell overtime goal at Swindon last weekend saw Sheffield extend their current run, but Payette is aware of the threat posed to his team this weekend, particularly from Slough.

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Points from both games also count towards the EPL Cup, with Sheffield looking to repeat their run to the final from last season.

“This weekend will prove crucial to obtaining one of the four slots in the Cup competition,” said Steeldogs’ player-coach Payette. “So it’s all to play for in both games.”

“Looking at Slough, they have been playing a very patient style of hockey as they like to sit five guys behind the puck and trap all night long.

“Their transition game is one of the best in the league, so we must be prepared to break their trap and limit our mistakes.

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“Slough always play with a bit of a physical edge and I’m sure that will suit us just fine.”

The Steeldogs will be keen to level the score after going down 5-2 against Slava Koulikov’s Jets earlier in the season.

They also have a chance to gain revenge on Bracknell after the Bees took two points out of Ice Sheffield last month in a surprise 4-2 victory.

“We could do with pulling back those two points on Bracknell,” added Payette.

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