MANCHESTER Phoenix go into the coming weekend of bmibaby Elite League ice hockey action facing back-to-back games against arch rivals Sheffield Steelers.

Phoenix tomorrow travel to South Yorkshire, where the Steelers have yet to win this season, having lost their opener against Coventry Blaze.

Tony Hand's men will be determined to put last weekend's disappointing loss to the Nottingham Panthers behind them.

Player-coach Hand, himself a former Sheffield player, knows only too well that the Steelers will be equally determined to gain their first home points at his team's expense.

"It's a tough building to take a team into," Hand said.

"And there will be an intense atmosphere, so the key to the game could be which team keeps calmest in the opening exchanges.

Unlucky

"We were unlucky to lose in Nottingham and if my players give me the same level of effort this weekend, I expect us to take some points from the two games."

Steelers cross the Pennines for the return fixture on Sunday, which will be at the Deeside Leisure Centre because the new Altrincham rink has not yet been completed.

A Phoenix spokesman said: "Having Sheffield as our first home game in the new building was just what we had hoped for as we were very confident of a sell-out crowd.

"The delay at Altrincham meant a switch to Deeside but we're still expecting the game to be a sell-out. It would be tremendous to win our first `home' game in over two years."

Hand expect his side to be at full strength for tomorrow's match against a Sheffield side who will have two former Phoenix players, Jason Hewitt and Mark Thomas, in their line-up.

Phoenix general manager Andy Costigan noted: "Jason and Mark are really good guys and they will get a warm welcome."

What do you think? Have your say.

Tweet