Steeldogs set for second showdown with their ‘opposites’

Payette’s team head to White Hill Way on the back of a three-game winning streak, having followed up last Saturday’s hard-fought 3-1 home win over Telford Tigers with a dramatic 5-4 win at defending league champions Guildford Flames 24 hours later.

The only previous meeting between Sheffield and Swindon came at Ice Sheffield lasty month, with the Steeldogs overcoming a three-goal deficit to win in overtime through a powerplay strike from captain Greg Wood.

And while Payette is wary of the attacking potential of tomorrow’s hosts, he is happy with his own team’s defensive capabilities.

“They finished last season as one of the best teams in the league, and they are very strong going forward,” said Payette.

“We are two teams at the same kind of level, but for different reasons. they are an offensively-minded team, while we are solid defensively. It promises to be a very tight game.”

Payette said that while he was satisfied with his team’s current form – after losing three out of the first four games – he admitted it would be another month at least before it became clear which teams were likely to emerge as title challengers.

“I’m quite happy with where are at the moment,” he said. “It’s too early to tell anything yet and I think we’ll have to wait until we get to the 20-game mark before we see how open this league is going to be and who the likely contenders are.”

With only one game this weekend, the Steeldogs are next in action at home to 2011-12 play-off champions Slough Jets on Saturday, October 20.

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