Sheffield Steelers: Aaron Fox has eyes on lifting maiden silverware ahead of Manchester visit

His team host Manchester Storm on Wednesday night in the first leg of the Challenge Cup quarter-final.

They are aiming to build up a strong lead in a competition they have not won in the EIHL era, despite appearing in seven finals.

"It is a good trophy to win" says Fox.

"It is a five game tournament, five elimination games to win a cup.

"The prospect of winning trophies is everything players want to get up for, this getting down to the short-strokes."

Fox would dearly love to bring multiple trophies of any size and shape home to the fanbase - which has been hugely supportive, particularly on the road.

At Belfast Giants, the South Yorkshire fans were there in impressive numbers to watch Friday's loss followed by Saturday's win.

"The support was pretty amazing. They were a pretty good reason why we had to dig deep on Saturday - it would have been a long way to travel for two losses!" said Fox.

Manchester games can be as unpredictable as they are bad tempered - a clash between Michael Davies and Mathieu Gagnon earlier this season led to long suspensions for both.

"Gagnon is Gagnon and Davies is always on the edge as well, this is hockey...whatever happens, happens" said Fox.

"Manchester have played some really good hockey; it should be a good game."

Janne Kolehmainen will make his home debut for Steelers.

He played twice at Belfast and Fox said: "He played bottom six, is a heavy guy, who finishes hits, is strong on the puck and kills penalties. He had a couple of Grade A chances in Belfast and will get better as he gets more in shape.

"He was never going to be an elite level skater flying around like some of our others. But he is a smart player."Robert Dowd hopes to return from injury, and Marco Vallerand will play despite not being 100 per cent."Vally is not firing on all cylinders but he took a couple of big hits last weekend and got through them."

Goalie Tomas Duba was criticised after Friday's game, but shut out the Irish 24 hours later."Everyone has an off night but Dubes closed the door on Friday.

“You have to have the thickest of skins as a goalie and avoid over-thinking things. His confidence should be high."