Sheffield Steelers, the runaway league champions and the Challenge Cup winners, host Fife Fifers on Friday (19.00) in the 1,500-capacity Ice Sheffield, and there will not be a single fan of the Kirkcaldy club in the building.
Ice Sheffield was opened in 2003 and completed at a cost of £15m. Is a centre of excellence for figure skating and ice dance but has been pressed into service as the 9,000-capacity Utilita Arena nearby is being prepared for a Take That concert.
Fife have only beaten the Yorkshire combine once so far this term in the league. The treble-chasing Steelers won the first league clash 5-0 in England.
They edged the second clash 4-3 in Kirkcaldy and they whipped Flyers 7-4 at Sheffield.
However, Fife edged Aaron Fox’s treble-chasing combine 2-1 at Kirkcaldy on January 20 before being beaten again, this time 6-4, in Sheffield 24-hours later, and 4-2 at Fife in their final regular season meeting.
The champions collected 91 points from their 54 regular season games, Fife finished in the eighth and final qualifying spot with 51 points from their 54 starts.
Flyers’ No 1 netminder Shane Owen (pictured) could have a key role to play in the game and Fife hope to keep the scoreline tight before Sunday’s game in Fife (17.15). Tickets are on sale.
Fife Flyers Supporters Club have booked a function room at Styx in the town’s Victoria Road, postcode KY1 1DS to screen the game. This is not ticketed and the venue only holds around 100. Fans are urged to come early and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Steadings on Bennochy Road KY2 5RB are reported to be screening the play-off, first-leg and seats here will also be on a first-come, first-served basis.
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