Ultimate Drivers Weekend Preview: Merry Matchups
Christmas Celebration
This Friday, the Steelheads will host their Christmas game. There will be decorations, music, Christmas-themed intermission games, and more! Plus all fans who bring a non-perishable food item for donation will receive a free ticket to our January 11th matchup against the North Bay Battalion. You can also earn a 20% discount at the Baitshop by wearing a festive holiday or ugly Christmas sweater. The Steelheads Holiday Pack is available for Friday’s Christmas game which includes 4 tickets and 4 specialty steelheads toques, all for just $125 + fees!
It will be a holiday celebration you will not want to miss, so grab your tickets here!
Rivalry Rematch
For the second Wednesday in a row, The Brampton Steelheads (14-12-4-0) will face off against the Brantford Bulldogs (16-12-3-0). Last week, the teams battled at the CAA Centre, where the Bulldogs outlasted a late comeback from the Trout to win in overtime. This week, it is the Steelheads’ turn on the road as they will travel to the Brantford Civic Centre.
The Steelheads will look to their blue line to help take down the Bulldogs. With countless forwards out of play due to World Juniors or injury, Brampton will need their backend to step up by creating offence and shutting down the Bulldogs offence. Creation from the defence was instrumental in the Trout’s comeback last Wednesday, as Spencer Sova, Finn Harding and Alexander Stephen combined for five assists. If they can keep up this production, the Steelheads will have a good chance of getting revenge against the Bulldogs.
Another key to victory for the Trout will be solving the Bulldogs netminder Ryerson Leenders. The former Steelhead earned last week’s Goaltender of the Week, where he sported a 3-0-0-0 record, 2.27 goals against average, and a .931 save percentage. Thankfully, Brampton has had no trouble scoring on their former netminder, as they have scored 15 goals across three games against Leenders. The Trout will look to continue this trend to take down Brantford.
You can catch all the road action by tuning in to watch.chl.ca or listening on Sauga960.
Festive Friday
On Friday, the Steelheads will play their final game before the Christmas break when they host the Niagara IceDogs (20-9-1-1). This will be the fourth matchup between the sides, with the IceDogs leading the series 2-0-1-0 so far. The Trout hope to enter the Christmas break on a high by evening the series against their Central Division rival.
In order to take down Niagara, the Steelheads will look for Luke Misa to lead the charge offensively. The Calgary Flames prospect has been on fire as of late, as he tallied 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points in his last 21 games. Brampton will need him to keep up this production level to outscore the high-flying IceDogs offence.
For Niagara, the breakouts of Ryan Roobroeck and Ethan Czata have helped lead to the overpowering offence. The 2023 2nd overall and 5th overall selections have combined for 80 points so far this season. Roobroeck alone tallied nine points (4G, 5A, 3GP) last week, which earned him the Player of the Week selection. Meanwhile, Czata recorded a hat trick and two assists on Sunday to earn the Performer of the Night award. Slowing down this dynamic duo will be essential for the Steelheads to knock off Niagara.
It will be a festive game you won’t want to miss, so grab your tickets here.
