Sheffield Steelers were beaten 6-2 by German team Bietigheim at ice Sheffield last night - but there were more positives than negatives.
You only had to look at the teams lining up before the start of the game to see this was going to be a lop-sided contest.
Bietigheim had 22 skaters; Sheffield had 14.
That's forgetting the fact that Bietigheim have been training for weeks and Steelers had just re-assembled for pre-season with no time to get to know each other again.
While their fitness and co-ordination ran out towards the end of the competitive friendly, they did enough to show they are going to be a fast, snarly team in the Elite Legue.
Ryan Finnerty took no prisoners last night, Scott Basiuk looked an astute signing and Jeff Legue and Joey Talbot showed their eye for goals with one each.
Rod Sarich picked up where he left off as arguably the league's finest quarter back. Ashley Tait looked ready.
The sides are back on ice again tonight (6pm) to complete the mini-tournament.