Devils Vs Steelers - Preview

24th Jan 2013 | Posted by Geraint Walters

So with the recent news that Devils net minder Phil Osaer was leaving the club and heading to Norway, coaches Gerad Adams and Neil Francis acted quickly to sort this issue out. The club confirmed on Tuesday that ex Dundee Stars net minder Chris Whitley has signed with the team until the end of the season and will train with the team on Thursday.

The Devils go into this weekend still waiting on news of a possible forward being signed but with the clock ticking, it maybe a little too late for this weekend. Devils may also be missing Scarbrough after an injury in training which kept him out of last weekend's game with the Capitals.

This is the 7th meeting between the teams(League +CC) and the Devils lead the series 4-2 with the last win in the Challenge Cup with a 7-6 win after the penalty shot win. Stand out players v the Steelers so far this season are Mac Faulker on 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points Stuart Macrae on 5 goals and  1 assist for 6 points and Phil Hill on 3 goals 3 assists for 6 points.

Steelers go into this weekend after a loss at home to Nottingham which seen the home team get 7 Power plays and only converting on 1 which frustrated coach Ryan Finnerty who stated in the press.

"I don't think I have ever been as annoyed and as frustrated" said Ryan Finnerty when speaking with the media following the Steelers 4-2 defeat on Sunday to the Nottingham Panthers.

"I think just 3 people failed to see the incident when Mark Thomas was sticked in the face that led to the Panthers game winner. Problem was that those three were the referee and linesmen. Our bench just reacted before the goal, I reacted, the crowd reacted. David Clarke even apologized to Tomo in the hand shake.”

"It's a penalty as clear as day and a power-play ti us. expect it wasn't as they failed to see an incident 5 feet from the goal that led to a game winner”

"I feel for my players right now. They deserve better. They battled throughout and gave me everything they had. Twice we bounced back after an unfortunate start that saw Nottingham take the league after a miscommunication between Johnny and the D. That happens and we didn’t let it get to us. We went straight back after Nottingham and played a very good game”

"The 4th Nottingham goal doesn’t happen if the 3rd goal isn’t allowed. For that we over committed in the last minutes chasing the game.”

"I have a sour taste in my mouth right now. The players deserved to settle that game.”

There's rumours building that Sheffield maybe about to pick up Jordan Krestanovich who's parted company with the Braehead clan after they signed bench coach Paul Gardiner.

Steelers face the Dundee Stars in the challenge cup prior to our game Saturday. 

Ex Devil Chris Frank will be lining up v the Devils for the first time since he left Cardiff last summer and will be looking to cause the Devils plenty to think about when he's on the ice. Ashley Tait is looking to beat Dan Carlson's all-time assists points for the Elite League of 352 which he's just 9 short of doing this and could possibly hold the record for most assists and most points in the Elite League.

We will be running the “ridiculously childish and disgustingly biased” Match Night Live service for these games, expect name calling and one eyed bias in epic proportions, at the usual location of http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/mnl if you'd like to help out by texting updates (we’d be happy to hear from you) or chip in with some comments on the night please contact us at matchnightlive@gmail.com.