For the first time in a long time, ice hockey fans have something to look forward as the NIHL Spring Cup gets underway.
Three months since the Streaming Series began, it’s been the only action UK fans have been able to see since the coronavirus pandemic took hold of our lives in the impact it has last month.
Following its success, the teams in the so-called second tier get the opportunity to take centre stage and have some included some top flight names to their rosters.
This weekend, it’s all about the Swindon Wildcats and Sheffield Steeldogs, who play each other twice, at home in either instance.
To set the scene for what might lie ahead in tonight’s opening showdown, we’ve taken a look at the recent history between the teams.
Jason Hewitt and Ben Morgan have been coaches in their own right and now share the Steeldogs locker room (PHOTOS: Hull Daily Mail (Hewitt)/Peter Best (Morgan))
3 – Sheffield Steeldogs have won three of the last ten meetings between the teams, all three of whom have come in the last four games against the Wildcats.
13
The points difference between Swindon, who ended last season in second place and Steeldogs, who ended the campaign in seventh.
18
Number of goals shared between the teams in the Streaming Series back in November.
8
Number of points picked by Chris Jones in meetings between the two clubs throughout 2019/20, made up of four goals and four assists
123
Club games played by Liam Kirk since his last on UK shores for Sheffield Steelers in the Elite League in March 2018, almost three years ago.
4
Goals scored by Alex Graham in the two meetings between the teams in the Streaming Series
7
Players who picked up points for Swindon Wildcats in the games with Sheffield in November
2
Players in the Sheffield team who have been coaches in their own right previously – Ben Morgan and Jason Hewitt
1,220
Number of online viewers when Steeldogs hosted Swindon in the Streaming Series
6
Jason Hewitt’s penalty minutes against the Wildcats in the Streaming Series
Face off for tonight’s game is at 6.30pm and the link can be found here: https://swindonwildcats.com/tickets20-21/
Sunday’s game in Sheffield begins at 5pm and the stream can be purchased via this link: http://bit.ly/Val3ntine5
