Sheffield ice hockey steers towards a covid secure new year

The city's second team, the Steeldogs, ran out winners of the three-team pilot NIHL tournament, despite a home loss on Sunday.

The fact the 'Streaming Series' games were played during the covid lockdown meant so much more than any single result.

And if the five English clubs in the EIHL can organise a £4m Government sponsored mini-season in January, Sheffield Steelers will be back, probably playing behind closed doors at iceSheffield.

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Any such return to play, courtesy of their modest slice of a £300m Sports Winter Survival Package, will depend on a unified approach between the owners of Steelers, Manchester Storm, Coventry Blaze, Guildford Flames and Nottingham Panthers.

The availability of import and domestic players, facilities and ability to turn around time-absorbing visa applications will doubtless be a challenge - as will housing for the skaters.

But at least there is something to aim for.

And Steeldogs helped start off the process of a return to play in the NIHL Series, beating Swindon Wildcats, twice, before sharing the spoils last weekend with Milton Keynes Lightning (6-2 win away followed by a 3-5 home loss on Sunday.)

The home defeat did not take the shine off the fact Steeldogs were able to perform in the first place.

Co-owner Roger Williams said: "Sunday was a good game, MK just wanted it more, as they were winless. Overall it has been great - good matches, a great level of play, especially considering how rusty guys were going into it," said Williams.

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A total of 743 viewers watched online - Sundays were less popular with virtual spectators, compared to Saturdays.

"We had lots of viewers but most importantly it showed that fans want to see hockey and that we could play in a covid secure format."

There is an NIHL league meeting scheduled for this week, to discuss future projects.

Williams said: "The main ambition is a league season starting in the new year.

"This won't be straight forward with rinks in different tiers but there is a real desire to make it happen."

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