Blaze make first trip of season to Sheffield

Photo: Scott Wiggins

Coventry head to the Utilita Arena in Sheffield for the first time this season hoping to avenge their 2-1 shootout defeat live on Premier Sports earlier this month.

The Steelers levelled late and won thanks to a John Armstrong penalty shot masterclass at the Skydome, though both teams have picked up solid league points since. Sheffield lead the EIHL with 10 points from six games played, while Coventry sit sixth on a record of five from four.

Aaron Fox's Steelers were defeated in overtime to open last weekend, but a strong third period saw them power past Fife on Sunday. Coventry meanwhile are looking for their first win in three after back-to-back defeats to Guildford in the Cup a week after going down to Belfast live on TV.

Sheffield has been a place Coventry have enjoyed success of late. Although the all-time record stands at 46-3-21 in favour of the Steelers, the Blaze were victorious on their first two trips to Yorkshire in 2019/20. 

Sheffield boast the league's third-best powerplay at 25.9% (Blaze: 12.5%), while Coventry have the third-best penalty kill on 87.5% (Steelers: 82.1%). The Blaze also give up the fewest amount of shots in the EIHL at just 27 per game.