Steelers beat Bison to stay top

The Sheffield Steelers recovered from a 4-3 penalty shoot-out loss at Basingstoke on Saturday to record a 6-0 home victory over the Bison on Sunday.

Doug Sheppard scored twice to maintain the Steelers two-point lead the top of the Elite League.

Forward Dan Cruikshank told BBC Radio Sheffield: "We knew we had to win, we came out and dominated.

"We can't worry about how other teams do, but it is always nice when teams like Belfast drop points to Hull."

Cruikshank was also on target for the Steelers and he said it was strange to score against his former side.

"It was weird, but it was all right, towards the end of the game on Saturday it started to feel better," said Cruickshank.

"I will always have a soft spot for Basingstoke because I have been through a lot with the club.

"Now I am with Sheffield and I am a Steeler and my aim is win a Championship this season," he added.

The Steelers are next in action against the Belfast Giants at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday, 6 December and coach Dave Matsos said the outcome of that game will have a huge baring on the race for the Elite League title.

"We need a win against Belfast, they knocked us out of the cup and have taken 2 points off us in their barn," said Matsos.

"We need the confidence that a win against them will bring. We know we have beaten every other team, now it's their turn."