Sheffield Steeldogs: Yorkshire rivalry with Leeds Chiefs set to heat up

Steeldogs are preparing for an away and home double-header with Chiefs, after three previous encounters which have seen two wins for Sheffield.

Dogs' coach Ben Morgan has a working knowledge of the Chiefs in their first season; a team yet to set foot on home ice after rink delays.

“I think Sammy (Zajac, Leeds coach) is doing his best in difficult circumstances with a new team yet to play in their own home," said Morgan.

"We’ve got an idea, a flavour of what they’re about - their go-to guys, the systems that they like to play on different rinks.

“Having played them in Blackburn a couple of weeks ago gives us another idea of how the game might pan out but we are just focusing on going there and getting a win by hook or by crook to get off to a good to start the weekend that we can carry into Sunday.

“Playing two nights on the bounce means a lot will depend on the first game - if you execute and get the result then you look to do more of the same.

“But if it doesn’t pay off then it’s frustrating and even more of a challenge, like we had last time Leeds visited us.

“We have to stay mentally strong across the two hours of the weekend and stick to our plan and our principles and make sure we don’t get out worked.

“We have to leave the ice knowing we gave everything, that we did our best.”

Dogs' line-up is much changed this season and after a strong start, they have experienced mixed results in the past month.

Morgan says: “The team identity hasn’t changed this season but we need to make sure everyone is fully onboard with it.

“There’s only so long you can talk about building familiarity and lines gelling and so on.

“We have had plenty of games to try things out and it’s time for people to step up and make sure they do what I’m asking - if not then ultimately my head is on the chopping block.

"The guys all know what they’re here to do so collectively we need to give ourselves the best possible chance of beating whoever we are playing, whether they’re top of the league or bottom.

“We can do it - we just need to be more consistent and four points this weekend would be a great way of getting back on track.”

The Steeldogs play Leeds at iceSheffield on Sunday, face-off at 4:30.