EIHL Preview: Steelers at Devils – 28 September 2013

This weekend sees back to back games against fierce rivals Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils, as they battle it out Saturday and Sunday night in Challenge Cup action.

Both teams have had a less than desirable start to the season and will be looking to get back on track to reignite their ambitions. It will be the first time former Devils signing Frank Doyle will face the red army, after pulling out of his Devils contract in the summer to sign for Sheffield.

It was bad news in the Steelers camp this week, as they saw three players ruled out of action due to injury. Sniper Maxime Lacroix has undergone surgery on a fractured ankle which was sustained in last Saturday’s game against the Panthers, and will be out of the line up for three months. Also in the stands are offensive defenceman Chad Langlais and British forward Danny Meyers.

However, the Steelers will have new Finnish forward Ilpo Salmivirta in the line-up this weekend, as he is signed for injury cover on a one month contract. The winger is a vital addition to the Steelers team, as they look to get back to winning ways. Salmivirta is a proven goal scorer and consistently put up numbers while playing in the French League, meaning he will be one to watch.

The Devils will have number one goalie Dan LaCosta back between the pipes this weekend, after he has missed the past few weeks due to concussion. It is hoped that the former Blue Jacket will help stabilise this Devils team and will no doubt be a big boost for the Welsh club.

The only player that will be out of the line-up for the Devils is forward Andrew Conboy, after obtaining a 6 game ban this week for physical abuse of an official.

This weekend will be a big test for each team. Both squads were defeated in their games last weekend and will be looking for no less than two wins in these games. It promises to be an exciting double header, which both sets of fans will relish.