Steelers Vs. Fife Flyers on Sunday
The Sheffield Steelers face another hugely important weekend, with Challenge Cup qualification firmly in focus before attention switches back to Elite League action.
Aaron Fox’s side travel to South Wales on Saturday night to face Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup, before returning to the Utilita Arena on Sunday afternoon to take on Fife Flyers in league action.
And with the Cup group stage now entering its final stages, Saturday’s game in Cardiff carries real significance.
Tickets for Sundays game available HERE
Steelers Top a Tight Group A
The Steelers currently sit top of Challenge Cup Group A with 12 points from eight games, level on points with Nottingham Panthers but having played one game fewer.
Behind them, the race remains incredibly tight.
Cardiff have eight points from seven games, Guildford eight from eight, Coventry seven from seven and Manchester seven from seven.
With just a handful of games remaining, almost every result has the potential to change the picture.
For the Steelers, the situation is particularly clear.
They have only two Challenge Cup group games remaining:
- Saturday 24 October – Cardiff Devils away
- Wednesday 28 October – Manchester Storm at home
Two victories would take Sheffield to 16 points and guarantee top spot in Group A.
That makes Saturday’s trip to Cardiff one of the biggest games of the Cup campaign so far.
Saturday – Cardiff Devils vs Steelers
The Devils themselves remain very much in the qualification picture and still have games in hand on the teams above them.
Cardiff currently sit third with eight points from seven games, meaning Saturday offers both sides the opportunity to strengthen their position significantly.
Face-off at the Vindico Arena is 7.00pm.
Watch the Game live on Cardiff Devils TV – HERE
Sheffield will head to Wales looking to build on last Sunday’s dramatic home win over Guildford, when the Steelers came through 4-3 after a shootout to move back to the top of Group A.
With Nottingham having only one Cup fixture remaining and Cardiff, Coventry and Manchester all still capable of making a late push, there is very little room for error.
Then Back Home for Fife
Less than 24 hours later, the Steelers will be back at the Utilita Arena for a 4.00pm face-off against Fife Flyers.
Tickets: HERE
Sunday’s game switches the focus back to the Motorpoint Elite League and brings another meeting with a Fife side who have already caused Sheffield problems this season.
The Flyers won both previous league meetings earlier this month, each by a 2-1 overtime scoreline, first at the Utilita Arena and then the following night in Kirkcaldy.
That will provide plenty of motivation for the Steelers as they look to turn the tables on home ice.
Fife also arrive in Sheffield after a busy spell of their own, including a 3-2 Challenge Cup victory over Belfast Giants on Wednesday night.
The Cup Picture
The format means the stakes remain high.
The winner of Group A and the second-placed team qualify directly for the Challenge Cup semi-finals, while the team finishing third faces the second-placed team from Group B in a one-off elimination game for the final semi-final place.
So while nothing has yet been decided, the Steelers have put themselves in a strong position.
Now comes the opportunity to finish the job.
First, Cardiff away on Saturday.
Then Fife at home on Sunday.
And with only two Cup games remaining, every point matters as the Steelers continue their push for a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.
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