Post by ALDO#3 on Dec 31, 2006 11:36:34 GMT 1
Taken from Sheffield Stir Today. 30/12/06
STEELERS will tomorrow play host to the division's champions-in-waiting...no matter what the league table says.
Paul Thompson's Coventry Blaze team currently lie second in the table, behind the explosively-offensive Belfast Giants.
But Sheffield general manager Mike O'Connor believes Blaze will use their games-in-hand to become eventual league title winners.
"My opinion is that Coventry are the best team in the league" he said.
"They have a better balanced attack than Belfast and a far superior defence.
"I'll stick my neck out too, by saying that Coventry have a better coach" added O'Connor, a statement which doubtless will be of interest to Belfast's Ed Courtenay.
Taking Coventry's scalp, then, would be a significant coup for Sheffield, as they try to make the second half of the season better than a poor first.
"While Coventry are the best around, it doesn't mean we can't beat them on any night, and that's what we'll be hoping for tomorrow" said O'Connor.
Steelers have averaged a mediocre point a game (27 from 27) so far while Coventry have attained much higher, taking 35 points from their first 23 outings.
Blaze's water-tight rearguard has ensured they have lost fewer matches than any other Elite team (six.)
Sheffield go into tomorrow's session with forward Dan Tessier suffering a hand injury, although everybody else has a clean bill of health.
They will be looking to first line winger Shaun Sutter to continue his red-hot streak of goal scoring.
"He might not be the most skilled player around; he has to work hard for all of his goals," said O'Connor.
"But that work-rate and effort is certainly paying dividends for him and his team-mates. I have a feeling he will be among the goals tomorrow."
STEELERS will tomorrow play host to the division's champions-in-waiting...no matter what the league table says.
Paul Thompson's Coventry Blaze team currently lie second in the table, behind the explosively-offensive Belfast Giants.
But Sheffield general manager Mike O'Connor believes Blaze will use their games-in-hand to become eventual league title winners.
"My opinion is that Coventry are the best team in the league" he said.
"They have a better balanced attack than Belfast and a far superior defence.
"I'll stick my neck out too, by saying that Coventry have a better coach" added O'Connor, a statement which doubtless will be of interest to Belfast's Ed Courtenay.
Taking Coventry's scalp, then, would be a significant coup for Sheffield, as they try to make the second half of the season better than a poor first.
"While Coventry are the best around, it doesn't mean we can't beat them on any night, and that's what we'll be hoping for tomorrow" said O'Connor.
Steelers have averaged a mediocre point a game (27 from 27) so far while Coventry have attained much higher, taking 35 points from their first 23 outings.
Blaze's water-tight rearguard has ensured they have lost fewer matches than any other Elite team (six.)
Sheffield go into tomorrow's session with forward Dan Tessier suffering a hand injury, although everybody else has a clean bill of health.
They will be looking to first line winger Shaun Sutter to continue his red-hot streak of goal scoring.
"He might not be the most skilled player around; he has to work hard for all of his goals," said O'Connor.
"But that work-rate and effort is certainly paying dividends for him and his team-mates. I have a feeling he will be among the goals tomorrow."