Crunch period for the Steelers

ICE HOCKEY: There is much more at stake than just annual festive bragging rights for the Sheffield Steelers over the next few days, according to captain Jonathan Phillips.

The traditional double-header against fierce rivals Nottingham Panthers will take centre stage, but the hectic Elite League schedule represents a crunch period in the South Yorkshire club’s season.

Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win against Guildford Flames – a first triumph over Paul Dixon’s side at the fifth time of asking this season – was the first of six games in 11 days for the Steelers, who end it with a New Year’s Day trip to Manchester Storm.

Such a relentless programme is nothing new to Phillips or his team-mates, or indeed any of their opponents, but it offers an opportunity to put together a timely, positive run that could not only enhance the Steelers’ play-off hopes, but also throw them back in as an outside candidate for the title.

“Now we’re out of the Challenge Cup these games over the next week or so are even bigger for us,” said Phillips, who leads his team out at the National Ice Centre today before a return encounter at Sheffield Arena tomorrow (7pm).

“This week is something that has always been huge for us, particularly the bragging rights over Nottingham, but this is now such an important period in the league for us.”