Sheffield Steelers must find a full 60 says Brandon Whistle as huge weekend looms
Sheffield Steelers take on Guildford and Coventry this weekend
Brandon Whistle says the Sheffield Steelers must rediscover their consistency as they prepare for another important Motorpoint Elite League weekend against Guildford Flames and Coventry Blaze.
The Steelers travel to Guildford on Saturday before returning to the Utilita Arena on Sunday, knowing a strong weekend could quickly change the picture at the top of a tightly packed league table.
Sheffield currently sit fourth on 13 points from 10 games, with Cardiff leading on 15 and Belfast and Coventry both on 14. Guildford sit sixth with nine points.
Saturday will be the Steelers’ third visit to the Spectrum already this season.
Their first ended in a dramatic 5-4 Challenge Cup shootout victory on September 13, when Sheffield recovered from 3-0 down before Mitchell Balmas eventually won it in the shootout.
Ten days later, however, Sheffield returned for league action and suffered a 7-4 defeat, despite leading three times and going into the third period with the game still finely balanced.
“We had a tough third period down there in September,” said Whistle, who scored and added an assist that night.
“It was tight going into the last 20 and the game just got away from us.
“I remember thinking afterwards, ‘How did that get away from us?’ But Guildford can do that. They can score quickly and in bunches.”
For Whistle, the biggest lesson is a familiar one.
“We have been our own worst enemy in some games this season and not one of us can throw up any excuses or reasons why,” he said.
“When we play a full 60 minutes, we win. So that is our starting point this weekend — shift by shift, minute by minute.”
Whistle knows plenty about one of Guildford’s biggest threats in former Steeler Brett Neumann, who was part of Sheffield’s Grand Slam-winning team in 2024.
“He is the perfect Guildford player,” said Whistle. “Small, quick and offensively minded.
“We know his strengths and those of his teammates. We know how they play. They haven’t changed their systems for years because they are systems that work for them — quick and direct.”
The Steelers have enjoyed plenty of success at the Spectrum over recent years and Whistle believes there can be no excuses about the venue.
“We’ve played well in that building for years,” he added. “I remember us having a nine-game winning streak in the Spectrum until not too long ago, so there shouldn’t be excuses.”
Sunday then brings Coventry Blaze to Sheffield, with the Midlands side arriving in good form and firmly involved in the early-season title race.
Whistle believes Coventry have continued to improve steadily in recent seasons.
“They have got better over the last three years, small steps,” he said.
“I think the addition of Brett Perlini from Cardiff has given them a little extra depth, but like Guildford they have quick and tenacious forwards who will look to cause us problems.”
The Steelers have good recent memories of facing Coventry at the Utilita Arena, including a shutout victory earlier this season.