Sheffield Steelers' new defenceman and Power Play shooter wants to lift the Charity Shield at the rink of last year's champions Coventry Blaze.

Wednesday's game will follow last weekend's successful Yorkshire cup tournament with Hull Stingrays.

While the game itself is not of huge significance, a win will show the rest of the league Steelers mean to topple the reigning title-holders.

Basiuk said: "Coventry have won the league over the last couple of years and we have been kind of second place and underdogs.

"You can come out and cause an upset and make an impression, but I don't know whether it sets a bar or anything.

"They have lost a few guys so they are going to have a little different look and probably a feeling-out process for a few weeks. Maybe a month.

"They have still got two of the top scorers in the league (Adam Calder and Dan Carlson) and are dangerous every shift."

Click on the green icon above to hear the full interview.

Basiuk, whose cannon shot from the point is clearly going to be an asset to Steelers this year added: "It never hurts to win. That's what we are here for. We are going out to win every game.

"Sheffield were very close last year and Coventry had one of the best teams we'd seen in the history of the Elite League so we definitely should be up there."

Coach Dave Matsos accepts that it would be good to get one over Coventry so early in the season, but cautioned: "I know they will be thinking the same thing, too."

*Andrew Sharp, who damaged a knuckle in a fight with Paul Moran on Saturday, should be available next Saturday.

Got a view? Add your comment below.

Football headlines.
Football gossip.
More Reds.
More Millers.
More rugby.
More boxing.
Sports columnists.
All sport categories