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The Steelers are trailing 5-3 after the initial match at the Utilita Arena, a thrilling contest that shifted momentum several times before the German DEL champions surged ahead in the closing 20 minutes.
True to their experience throughout the CHL campaign, the Steelers will depart for Berlin on Monday morning, having been largely disregarded by nearly everyone beyond the club’s immediate circle.
There’s little dispute that Tuesday’s return leg at the Wellblechpalast – which accommodates just 4,695 attendees – poses likely the most challenging task in Europe for them this season.
This is a squad assembled by Aaron Fox that has previously triumphed over Swedish champions Skellefteå and their SHL counterparts, Växjö Lakers.
Featuring additional prestigious wins against Czechia ExtraLiga teams Sparta Prague and Dynamo Pardubice, paired with narrow losses to Switzerland’s Zurich Lions and Fribourg-Gottéron, there remains much at stake.
Liam Kirk, a former apprentice at the Steelers who returned with Berlin the previous Wednesday to confront the organization where he honed his skills from 2016-18, is acutely aware of the lurking threats to his current team.
“The game in Sheffield on Wednesday was fiercely competitive, and I give full credit to the Steelers as they performed remarkably well,” remarked Kirk.
“They are an intensely competitive team, a championship-caliber squad, and they demonstrated that last year and throughout their CHL performance this season.
“We understand that when they enter our rink, it will be yet another battle, and we must be fully prepared.
“From the outset, we’ve recognized their quality. We’ve analyzed their outcomes, and one must never underestimate anyone in this tournament, as it features the best competing against the best.
“To reach the Champions League, you must have had an exceptional prior season, so we anticipated a challenge and hold the Steelers in high regard, especially after the way they played.”
“We’re an incredibly confident group, endowed with considerable depth and talent, and there’s a reason why this team has clinched three of the last four DEL championships – being part of it is exhilarating.”
Reflecting on his return to the Arena where he first joined the Steelers’ organization under the guidance of former head coach Paul Thompson – alongside current Steelers forward, Cole Shudra – Kirk described the experience positively.
“It was enjoyable; I truly relished it,” Kirk noted. “I found it entertaining when I missed a shot in the first period; the crowd cheered – it was all in good spirit; they are fantastic fans.
“There were a few pre-game nerves, but I think one must harness that energy and turn it into enthusiasm.”
During Wednesday’s match, the Steelers rallied from a 3-1 deficit to equalize before the second period concluded. Even though Kirk and his teammates re-established a two-goal lead in the third period, they are conscious of the challenges ahead and are keen to prevent a similar resurgence from the Steelers on their home turf.
“We must improve our ability to maintain leads; it’s an area in which we’ve encountered some difficulties, but we’re a championship-level team, and we know how to deliver results, so I’m pleased we could manage that,” Kirk stated.
“We have been in similar scenarios this season on multiple occasions. We recognize the importance of not relinquishing two-goal leads, and we are aware of the need for improvement.”
Berlin has readied for the second leg by achieving a 5-2 victory against Lower Frankfurt on Sunday, preserving their position at the pinnacle of the regular DEL standings.
The Steelers had two encounters; the first resulted in a 4-3 overtime loss at home to Coventry Blaze in the Challenge Cup on Saturday, while they succeeded in defeating Fife Flyers 4-1 in the league a day later.
At home, Sacha Guimond gave the Steelers the lead with 10:33 played, but Blaze equalized just over three minutes later through Alessio Luciani.
Mikko Juusola regained the Steelers’ lead in the 19th minute, and it wasn’t until Zach Heintz netted a rebound in the 35th minute that the visitors leveled again.
Despite the Steelers reclaiming the lead for a third time – this time through Marc-Oliver Vallerand at 54:13 – they let it slip once more, as Brandon Alderson equalized just 68 seconds later.
Knowing that Belfast had secured the point to claim top seeding, the Steelers opted for an empty net during overtime, resulting in Blaze’s Kim Tallberg finding the net just over three minutes in.
In Fife, the Steelers rebounded successfully with goals from Mark Simpson (2), Cole Shudra, and the newly acquired forward, Maxim Golod.
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