Robert Dowd confident Sheffield Steelers can reach Challenge Cup final – whoever they face
Sheffield Steelers topped their Challenge Cup group after a slip-up by Cardiff Devils over the weekend
Sheffield Steelers captain Robert Dowd believes his side have every reason to be confident of reaching the Challenge Cup final, even though their semi-final opponents remain unknown.
The Steelers topped their Challenge Cup group following Manchester Storm's victory over Cardiff Devils on Sunday, securing their place in the last four alongside Cardiff and Belfast Giants, who progressed from Group A.
However, a complicated conclusion to the round-robin stage means Aaron Fox's men could still face either Fife Flyers or Cardiff Devils in the semi-finals, with the final line-up potentially not confirmed until later this month.
The last group fixture takes place on Sunday when Fife entertain Glasgow Clan, a game that could have a significant bearing on Sheffield's opponents.
Fife have already secured a place in a play-in game against Guildford Flames for the remaining semi-final spot, but their result against Glasgow will determine how the final four are paired.
Should the Flyers collect at least one point against Clan, their winning percentage would be sufficient to ensure that, if they subsequently beat Guildford, they would face Sheffield in the semi-finals, leaving Belfast to take on Cardiff.
However, a Fife victory over Guildford would not be enough to set up a Steelers meeting if the Flyers lose their final group game against Glasgow.
In that scenario, Sheffield would face Cardiff, while Belfast would meet the winners of the Fife-Guildford play-in game.
It's a complicated situation, but Steelers captain Dowd believes it demonstrates the importance of every point in the competition.
"It's confusing but exciting, I guess," said Dowd. "It does show that every game in the group rounds means something, and a dropped point early on can come back to haunt you eight weeks down the line.
"I think what's important for us is that we worry about ourselves and not whether it's Fife or Cardiff.
"The two semi-final games are played midweek and a week apart, so travel isn't really an issue. The way we are playing right now makes me think that we shouldn't be overly concerned about who we face.
"If we play our best game, I see us making it to the final. We just have to stay healthy in the weeks leading up to these games."
With a place in the Challenge Cup final at stake, Dowd's message is clear: whoever stands between Sheffield and another major final, the Steelers believe they have what it takes to get there.