Crowd of 9,000 expected at 'biggest night' in Sheffield Steelers history

Sheffield Steelers fans have spoken of their nerves and excitement ahead of the "biggest night" in the club's history.

The Steelers welcome German champions Eisbären Berlin to Sheffield Arena in the Champions Hockey League later.

About 9,000 fans are expected to cheer on Aaron Fox's side in what is billed as a David vs Goliath clash.

Match day announcer David Simms likened the fixture to "Rotherham United playing Real Madrid", adding: "This is our biggest night."

The Steelers, who are the current UK Grand Slam champions, will play German ice hockey's most decorated team over two legs for a place in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier ice hockey competition.

They have already upset the odds in the competition to qualify for the play-offs after pulling off surprise wins over Swedish teams Skelleftea AIK and Vaxjo Lakers, as well as Czech side Sparta Prague.

Steve Owen, a Steelers season ticket holder for 15 years, said he was feeling confident ahead of Wednesday's face-off despite some nerves.

"I think the boys can do it," said the 56-year-old from Doncaster.

"We have done some formidable things already this season. Why can't we do it?"

Clair Helliwell, who has been watching the club since "way back when", also admitted feeling "nervous", but was more philosophical about Sheffield's chances.

"What will be will be. We have played some brilliant teams and we have done well to get as far as we have.

"I'm very proud of what they have achieved."

Mr Owen will be watching the match with his wife Sarah and their 24-year-old daughter Chloe.

The family attended their first game after being invited by the dad of former player Mark Thomas.

"It's the one family thing we continue to do," said Mr Owen, a senior finance manager.

Mr Owen billed Wednesday's clash as "the biggest game in UK ice hockey history", although Mr Simms said even bigger nights could follow if the underdogs pulled off an upset.

They will come up against a familiar face on the ice in the form of Maltby-born academy graduate Liam Kirk.

The Great Britain international, now 24, became the first English-born and trained player to be drafted to the NHL - widely considered to be the best ice hockey league in the world - in 2021 when he joined the Arizona Coyotes.

Mr Simms said he knew Kirk "was going to be something a little bit special" from a "very, very early age" ahead of his first game back at Sheffield Arena since 2018.

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