GAME THREAD: Challenge Cup Final - Sheffield Steelers v Guildford Flames Wednesday, 13th March 7:30pm

[Doom]

5 on 5 though.

I hope it doesn't turn out like that Ayr v Nottingham playoff semi or even our playoff final against Cardiff, otherwise it will be the early hours before I get home.

I think 4 on 4 in overtime would have been better, it would open the game up and mean it's less likely the teams are still playing beyond 10:30, which is very possible with 5 on 5.

Regards

Doom

[Doom]

If we're at the top of our game and come out with intensity we win this, because we are a better team than Guildford.

Fair play to Keefe in his very honest post match interview after we beat them on Sunday, he admitted that Belfast couldn't live with our pace. We need to play with that sort of tempo against Guildford and also make sure we take our chances, because it's no good dominating a game and then finding new and wonderful ways of failing to put the puck in the net.

Daft as it may sound I often find a decent guide of a game to be faceoffs. More often than not a team who is on the front foot and playing with tempo wins the majority of the faceoff battles, especially those crucial ones in the offensive/defensive zones.

Watling has been relatively quiet recently, so I'm going for him to step up to the mark tonight.

As for the netminder, there's not even a debate to be had......It's Greenfield unless he's injured/unwell.

Regards

Doom

[Woodsy]

Bookies odds are up.

Steelers clear 1.18 favourites, Guildford 4.25.

As suggested by others if Steelers turn up and play to their potential that would seem right, but this is a Cup Final and pressure of home ice could make it much closer.

Great value in Guildford and would ease the pain of a defeat

[Doom]

Bookies odds are up.

Steelers clear 1.18 favourites, Guildford 4.25.

As suggested by others if Steelers turn up and play to their potential that would seem right, but this is a Cup Final and pressure of home ice could make it much closer.

Great value in Guildford and would ease the pain of a defeat

I'm guessing you've taken the Guildford bet?

Regards

Doom

[Jayboy]

I am getting a bit squeaky bum time now...

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[steeler pete]

I don't like predicting the result but we need to play like we did on Sunday and if so it will be too much for Guildford. I see no reason why we shouldn't play like that, so I'm hoping for a Steelers win in regular time.

[Jimmy o]

Biggest home game in 9 years?

[Jayboy]

I think the guys need to treat this like a regular need to win game and play the team in front of us and not the occasion.
We historically haven't done to well if we let the hype on the night get to us....

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[mark]

I think this group of players won't be too affected by the pressure of a final, they have proven many times this season that they are strong mentally. I don't expect a blowout, it could be just a moment of brilliance or a mistake which makes the difference but it comes down to the fact that Guildford will have to play well above their normal level and we will have to play below ours in order to match us on the ice, just as the reverse was true last time in Cardiff.

[mark]

The line up

Greenfield
Laing

Tansey-Cormier
Saucerman-Diffley
Jones-Nevalainen

Neumann-Watling-Balmas
Vallerand-Dowd-Juusola
Allen-Simpson-Ciampini
Nicholls-Whistle-Shudra