EIHL Preview: Steelers at Panthers – 21 September 2013

Both teams will be ready and raring to go for this match with Steelers wanting to gain revenge for their 4-1 loss to Panthers at the house of steel. Panthers will want to  continue their form that has seen them win three of their last four games and currently has them sat second in the Elite League table.

Both teams have had mixed fortunes so far. The start of the season has seen Panthers pick up 10 out of a possible 12 points. Panthers started the season with a 4 point weekend beating Hull at home 9-3, then getting first bragging rights against bitter rivals Steelers. They had a tough three games in three nights in Scotland last week, coming out of that with four points, losing the first game to top of the table Dundee Stars. All they picked-up was a one match suspension for Henley and an lengthy injury to defenceman Werner.

Steelers have played two games in the league and three games in the Challenge Cup and are 1-1 in the league. Their  season got off to the best possible start when they beat midlanders Coventry 4-2, their first defeat came soon after though at the hands of the Panthers. Sheffield picked-up  2 out of 4 points in Scotland last weekend. They put 10 past Edinburgh on the Saturday but came out on the wrong end of a 4-3 defeat against inform Dundee Stars on Sunday. They were back in action in midweek to put things right and were able to do just that with a 4-3 Challenge Cup win over Hull.

The last time these teams met saw heavyweights Henley and Spencer go toe to toe, will this game see a repeat? Or will both teams be going out for the points? One thing is for sure in that this game will be full of excitement from the off. Panthers will hope to have Anderson in for the injured Werner.

I feel this one will be a close fought batter, with a few penalties and not many goals, I predict a 3-2 win for Panthers