David Simms' Sheffield Steelers column: Let's not underestimate double-header in Scotland

This weekend there will no hockey at the Arena as the Steelers travel up north for a double header across the border. Fife on Saturday and Dundee 24 hours later.

Fife and Dundee have both showed over the last few seasons their ability to turn us big clubs over.

Dundee are miles clear in their Challenge Cup group after turning over Belfast, Fife and Glasgow.

Steelers will have Aaron Brocklehurst back in the line-up.

It was important his body had proper time to rest and credit the team who, short handed, pulled up the slack and dismantled the Panthers in the process.

Brocklehurst is a key player. That experienced head on the Blueline. That quarterback for the power-play.

He is no good at 70 per cent.

That’s why it was best to bite the bullet and leave him out against the Panthers.

Now he comes back both ready and refreshed.

New signing Marek Troncinsky has a great debut weekend.

A double over Nottingham. He looks calm and collective on the puck.

Head coach Aaron Fox told me: “he has made his living out of running a powerplay” and boy did it show, moving the puck quickly and creating offence.

There's a break from cup action this weekend – it's league games, proper games.

The ones that really matter. Our schedule is far from easy in the next 10 games but if we are to challenge then I would suggest 16 or 17 points are required.

That’s why we are serious contenders.

We don’t want to be playing catch up. We want to be leading the charge.

This weekend is a pig of a trip, the travel is horrible, the games are tough.

However, if we are to think of ourselves as challengers then it’s one we must come back from with victories and points.

Finally. Cole Shudra. Top job young man.

Your Dad didn’t just score goals, he scored key and important goals.

We often said to Ronnie “who writes your scripts?”

Well, on Sunday Cole scored his first of the year. Not just any goal, one against the Panthers, and a huge goal that got us back in the game.

I loved it Cole. Don’t be afraid for more of the same this weekend.

A huge contingent of Steelers fans are set to travel up north. Will the last person leaving Yorkshire please turn the light off!

Before I go, just a reminder that next Wednesday we are at home to Fife.

It’s a 7.30pm face-off but more importantly all tickets are just £5.

Yes, you read that right - £5

See you there.