News Article | 31st January 2010 » Scimitars and Coventry Blaze to go head to head

Being billed as a "Best of British" series of challenge fixtures, Elite League's Coventry Blaze have agreed to two games against the Sheffield Scimitars which will take place in early March. The first leg will be at Ice Sheffield on Wednesday 3rd March and the 2nd leg a week later on 10th March at the Skydome in Coventry.

Scimitars Director Gary Apsley said today "This will be a big night for both teams as the Scims get to face a top Elite league team and the Blaze get a chance to ice some of their own ENL stars of the future, some of whom will be no strangers to our young guns at Sheffield" He went on "we have been talking with Coventry about this game since pre-season and we now have a couple of dates that will allow the game to happen which is great news for us going in to the final phase of the season."

Mike Cowley the Blaze Managing Director said "Gary and Tommo talked quite a lot about the two teams getting together last September and I'm delighted that we have sorted out the timing. The Blaze have a strong ENL team and some of our young players will get a chance to play-up against a very promising young EPL team who have already shown that they can play and upset teams with much bigger budgets".

Jon Rowbotham, the Scims Head Coach, was also pleased with the announcement and said "it's great news for the Scimitars that Paul Thompson will bring his Coventry Blaze side to Ice Sheffield. Their team is full of top quality players and our players will have a real test if we are to stay with them which is just what I need to keep us at the top of our game as we go in to the final weeks of the season".

Although on paper some might question the value of the game for the Blaze but the Scimitars know that Thompson has been keeping an eye on the progress of the Scims and Coach Rowbotham too, and with the Blaze's own ENL side having a wealth of talent it gives him a chance to see how his own youngsters can do against a well coached, organised outfit like the Scimitars.

Thompson said "I like Jon, he's a great Coach for young players and I know he is relishing the opportunity that this season has presented to him. It reminds me of my start and in Jon we have a top British coach in the making who knows about junior and player development, playing systems and also importantly what it takes to win. The trophy cabinet at Ice Sheffield tells you that and more about the man and his teams."

Tickets for both games are priced at £8 adults, £6 concessions, kids (U16) go free when accompanied by adult with full priced ticket. Tickets for the Sheffield leg will be on sale from 10th February.

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Next News Article: Scimitars at home on Saturday to the Phantoms
4th February 2010
Previous News Article: Scimitars lose out at last minute
29th January 2010

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