Steelers ready to be tested by the Stars

Sheffield Steelers' Jonathan Phillips. Picture: Dean Woolley.

Having missed out on the play-offs last season, Wednesday night’s visitors have proved something of a surprise package this time around, a 4-2 win over Fife Flyers on Sunday taking them above Steelers and into second in the overall Elite League standings.

Tonight’s quarter-final, first leg is the fourth meeting between the sides this season, with neither side having yet won on the road – Steelers prevailing twice at home, while losing their only visit to Tayside 4-3 back in September.

“You can’t help but be impressed with Dundee this year,” said Steelers’ forward Jonathan Phillips, whose side lost to Nottingham Panthers in last year’s final.

“They are in second place in the league standings for a reason, but we believe in ourselves and believe that we can progress.”

Given the Steelers have now won eight straight at home, it is no surprise Phillips is confident going into the first leg.

“We are playing well at home right now and have won games at the Arena and Ice Sheffield,” added Phillips. “We are happy to play anywhere but the Arena is our home, the place where we are more comfortable.

“I think the big ice suits us, I think the venue suits us and I am certainly happy we are playing there.”

In the league, Hull Stingrays host Gardiner Conference rivals Braehead Clan looking for a fifth win in as many meetings against them this season.

A win would take Hull above Dundee and into top spot in the Conference standings, although Jeff Hutchins’s side - who visit Hull on Saturday night - would have four games in hand.

Sylvain Cloutier’s team have won four straight and sit sixth in the overall standings knowing a win in front of their own fans on Wednesday night would also close the gap on Ryan Finnerty’s team to two points in the league, while increasing their Conference advantage over the Clan to seven points.

“It will be another tough battle,” said Cloutier.

“Braehead are a good, solid team and all our games against them have been close. They will want some revenge so we will need to be ready and make sure we go at them hard from the start.”