Ivan Björkly-Nordström expects former Sheffield Steelers pair to come out firing
Sheffield Steelers take on Fife Flyers and a couple of former players this weekend
Sheffield Steelers forward Ivan Björkly-Nordström expects former teammates Reece Kelly and Kyle Watson to have extra motivation when Fife Flyers visit the Utilita Arena on Saturday.
The Steelers face Fife twice this weekend, first at home on Saturday before travelling to Scotland for the return fixture on Sunday.
Kelly and Watson both left the Steelers organisation during the summer after being offered the chance of more regular ice time with Fife.
Björkly-Nordström knows exactly what that decision can mean for a young player.
“Reece and Kyle are two really good players and good people, but I think they are going to come at us hard and fast,” he said.
“Fife have been playing really well lately and they will be looking to prove a point.
“I think it was the right decision for them to go somewhere they would actually play and get good minutes.”
Björkly-Nordström was in a similar position last season, balancing opportunities between the Steelers and the Steeldogs before earning a full-time place in Aaron Fox’s squad.
“Both Kyle and I were battling last year for the full-time position with the Steelers and I was obviously delighted to be offered the opportunity here for the year,” he said.
“With Liam and Brandon also coming into the team, it was perhaps in the best interests of both Kyle and Reece to move on.
“Fife is a place where they will both get good minutes of ice time, so good on them. I wish them both well.
“But I expect them to come in on Saturday feeling like they have a point to prove.”
The Steelers go into the weekend looking to build on a mixed set of results last time out.
Björkly-Nordström was pleased with Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Cardiff Devils, which he felt was one of Sheffield’s most complete performances of the early season.
“Saturday was a really good performance,” he said. “We played a solid 60 minutes and got the job over the line. I think everyone, from the goalie to the forwards, contributed to a really strong team effort.”
Sunday brought a different challenge as Sheffield went down 4-2 at Coventry.
For Björkly-Nordström, the Skydome provided a useful lesson in adapting to different road environments.
“The rink in Coventry was definitely bouncy,” he said. “It was my first time playing there in the Elite League and it was a fast game.
“Coventry played well and we had a couple of turnovers that they took advantage of, but I thought we had a good push back. We were just a bit unfortunate on some of our chances.”
That experience may prove useful when the Steelers head to Kirkcaldy on Sunday.
“Playing in Fife will be a bit similar to Coventry,” he said. “It will be a tough game, but I think we are ready for it.”
And while the Challenge Cup remains an important part of Sheffield’s early-season schedule, Björkly-Nordström is clear where the biggest prize lies.
“The league is the big one for us,” he said. “Obviously the cup is really fun, but the league is what we really like to play.”