THE FACT that one of the handles is coming off the plastic-looking Yorkshire Cup perhaps speaks of how significant this pre-season 'silverware' really is.

But the weekend back-to-back games against Hull, which ended in a big 15-6 aggregate win to Steelers, were another good work-out as Dave Matsos's men prepare for the league to start.

Matsos said he was happy overall with playing standards.

And while last night they didn't reach the heights of the previous evening, it was clear to Arena fans that each line will carry hard work and goal threat into every game.

Matsos said: "I thought they came out a little tentative in the first (period) which I didn't liek to see. But they just got better and better."

He thought the team's power play - in which Scott Basiuk was given a starring role of shooting from the blue line - looked "sharp."

And he had words of support for Rober Dowd, the new British kid on the block.

"Dowd was sound, he fits in. He has a really good eye for the game. He may be a little rough around the edges - defensviely we are going to work on some stuff add more structure to his game bu he is a good passer."

Hull certainly displayed much more power and organisation than they had at their disposal in Saturday's first leg home 10-4 defeat.

They killed three Sheffield power plays without too much trouble and had the first period's cleanest chances, although Jeff Glowa was wasteful when should have buried Matt Reynold's right wing pass.

New Steeler Nathan Gillies' Arena debut was marked in a fight with Rick Kozak and he gave a good account of himself against the bigger man.

But Hull goalie Curtis Cruickshank's seemingly giant pads were too much of an obstacle for Gillies and his team-mates to overcome in the early stages.

Hull were equally as hard-working in the middle stages.

They matched Steelers for goals, Kozak levelling Sheppard's flick over the grounded Cruickshank.

Man of the match Dowd finished off a fine cross ice move from his linemates for 2-1, but a top-in from Reynolds brought a second equaliser.

Heavyweights Jason Kostadine and Steve Munn fought out an honourable tie in a punch-up.

And while Jeff Legue, the home side's most creative player, struck a post, Hull could regard themselves equally unlucky when Stuart Kerr failed to bury a puck from close range.

Steelers left the best to last though, dominating the final session.
Thirty seconds into the priod, Ashley Tait knocked the puck home at the back post for the game winner at 3-2.

Power play pressure finally told at 51;09 with a goal from Scott Basiuk.
And the best goal of the night went to Ryan Finnerty, who thundered the puck in off the angle at 57;30.

*Steelers play Coventry Blaze in a Charity Shield game away on Wednesday. They open their league campaign at home to Edinburgh on Saturday.
*Tomorrow: Basiuk on Blaze.


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