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Steelers' mission to draw first blood - AUDIO INTERVIEW
THE FIRST goal will be decisive in tomorrow's Challenge Cup semi-final second leg between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers.
With Steelers trailing 4-2 from the first leg, Sheffield coach Dave Matsos knows the value assigned to the initial goal on the scoreboard.
"The first goal is the biggest one, a massive one," he said, adding that Nottingham would go looking for that killer strike right from the start in their own rink.
Click on the green audio icon to hear Bob Westerdale's full interview with Dave Matsos
Despite Panthers' obvious offensive threat, and their two-goal cushion, Matsos believes an aggregate win is achievable.
"I thought maybe we went flat and got deflated in the first leg when they got a couple of goals, but it wasn't because we weren't playing hard or playing well for that matter," he said.
"We are going in (to Nottingham) to win this thing."
Steelers will look to their "secondary" players to contribute tomorrow.
"You look at championship games and the history of this team and it is always the unlikely who have to shine" said Matsos, referring to the likes of Steve Munn and Ryan Finnerty, who scored championship goals in the past for the club.
"Everybody is going to key on the big guys, pay special attention to them, and that is where I think our secondary group have to step their game up.
"Last year's (Sheffield) team didn't deserve to win every game. Sometimes we were outplayed, outshot two to one. But we won. Right now, looking at the other side of it, we are getting our feet back and our confidence back."
Matsos admits the club have missed the boat in trying to sign new players before the transfer window.
"We signed a player on a Thursday night ... everything was done" he said.
But Kimbi Daniels (once of NHL giants Philadelphia Flyers) "pulled the pin" at the last moment.
"That really hung us out to dry" added the coach.
Asked about Belfast Giants forward George Awada, Matsos replied: "I don't think George is going anywhere, to be honest.
"He plays with grit, there's a real upside to his game.
"I think there are only two players in Elite League history who have had more points than him. Adam Calder and Dan Carlsson (Coventry Blaze). That sums up a lot about the guy.
"We'd definitely find a home for him
"He could live with me if he wants! But the likelihood of that happening is slim or none."
Matsos said he still needed more time to get this year's squad up to the same levels, particularly in terms of confidence, as last year's double-winning set-up.
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Fog
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
