Back to back friendly games against German team SC Bietigheim-Bissingen at iceSheffield (Sat and Sun, 7pm and 6pm) will give the coach an opportunity to try players on different lines.

He may , however, have to go without Canadian defenceman Steve Munn, who yesterday was still awaiting his visa to arrive from the authorities.

Click on the green play button to see interview with Matsos

Matsos says the games are a chance to test conditioning, also, saying : "We want to get our legs and lungs out.

"We are going to keep it (tactics at the games) simple, for sure. I am probably going to change the lines up maybe every period of every game so to see what chemistry we have got. The luxury of us coming in so early is that we can do that."

Matsos is aware that the Germans have been training since the first week of July.

"Physically they are going to kick their season off and are probably more on a similar page as a unit than we will be.

"But in saying that we as sportsmen...our guys will compete hard, that's just the nature of the team we've built."

Matsos doesn't think there is a gap in quality between a German second division team like Bietigheim and Sheffield.

"Anyone of our players are capable of playing in that league...I don't think Steelers are going to get blown out. These guys (Bietigheim) are going to have their hands full."

Meanwhile, Sheffield General Manager Mike O'Connor has watched with interest how Nottingham Panthers have signed ex Steeler Dan Tessier.

"He won't have gone there cheap, that's for sure" he said. "But Tess is an exceptional player. He will be busting a gut to get one over us this season, but our guys will feel the same about him and his team."



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