Sheffield Steelers: Why Miikko Kuukka is confidently predicting victory against Belfast Giants

Sheffield Steelers celebrate their shut out win over Belfast.

Miikko Kuukka, the short-contract Finnish defenceman who the Sheffield club wants to retain for the rest of the season, says so.

He bases his assumption on the recent 5-0 destruction of the champions at Sheffield Arena.

While the scoreline flattered Sheffield, Kuukka saw enough of Belfast to believe they are beatable on any night when Steelers turn up completely mentally-focused.

Kuukka recognises that Giants will want revenge after the shut-out.

"They want to beat us and that wasn't the score they came here to get," said the blueliner.

"It was a tight game but I think we were mentally ready for that and Dubes (goalie Tomas Duba) was really good on the net in that game and the whole team put everything on the line.

"But yeah, we just have to do the same thing again, and that is how we will beat them on the road, too. Definitely we will win both those games.

"I think I have now seen every team in this league and I think we have the best team and if we just play like we plan to play and everybody is putting everything on the line we can beat every team."

Kuukka has never been to Northern Ireland before - but he will find a host team desperate to put on a show for their fans.

They have only played one home game since November 2 - and they lost that. But, generally, Adam Keefe's side is normally difficult to beat at the SSE Arena.

The Finn said: "It is nice to hear they are good there. But I just like the feeling after Wednesday (5-0 match) here, how we play against them. I think we were better and we will do the same thing over there."

Kuukka's deal at Sheffield was extended after injuries to d-men Aaron Johnson, Jonas Liwing and James Bettauer. He has played for teams which had endured similar injury problems, but pointed out they were cushioned by bigger rosters.

“The use of forwards on defence - like the versatile Eric Meland - was a new thing to him, he said.

*Steeler tickets for the Challenge Cup Quarter Final first leg against Manchester Storm on Wednesday, December 11, at the Fly DSA Arena, will be discounted at £5, the club has announced.