Next-up for the Sting is Senators in another local derby at Ice Sheffield.  Coach Johnson will be looking for his senior Sting side to consolidate their position near the top of the English National League Division 2 ahead of Flintshire Freeze as they face Sheffield Senators for the second time in a month.

The game last month on the "fancy" pad at Ice Sheffield saw the Sting victorious once again but the Senators are getting better and the game was just as lively as previous encounters with both teams seemingly raising their game which is creating an interesting rivalry which Sting Boss, Gary Apsley, thinks is good for both Clubs and the game.  He said "I was on the bench for the last game between the Sting and the Sens and it was a great game too.  Sheffield came at us on the counter and took the lead then put 5 men behind the puck trying to neutralise our threat.  It was a brave strategy but in the end our greater quality shone through and we scored the goals to win us the game and get us the much needed points so I was happy."

The game itself was marred by some "tantrums and afters" which Apsley believe's only adds to the mix between the two teams, he added. "There was some ill-feeling at the end of the game and I hope that Ian and the boys will sort that out before the teams take to the ice on Sunday.  I want the game to be another great advert for our Clubs and I know that most of the boys get along off the ice so there's nothing for us to worry about other than securing the points again."

Going in to this week-end Sutton Sting are sat in second place behind runaway leaders Solway Sharks.  Stats for the Sting are 14-0-4 from 18 played for 28 points with Flintshire Freeze in third on 25 points from 18 played.  The Senators are in 6th place having lost their last three games will be hoping to do well against Hull on Saturday before facing the Sting again on Sunday.  Sting Head Coach Ian Johnson is not letting his side to reflect on previous performances and has a focus about the games to play.  This Saturday he takes the Sting to Bradford and he will be hoping for another inspirational performance.  Last time out the Sting netted 19 times inflicting the heaviest defeat of the season so far on the Bulldogs who managed only 1 goal in reply.  That week-end was a bitter week-end for the Bulldogs and Johnson knows that Andy Brown will make sure that his Bradford side are better prepared to face Sutton on Saturday because he will not be wanting a repeat of that score.  But the Bradford game on Saturday should be great preparation for a home clash with Sheffield the following day and as the game is a home game for the Sting the gallery should be full which makes for a great atmosphere inside the public rink at Ice Sheffield.

The Sens will be hoping to overturn the 4-2 defeat to Sutton from three weeks ago and Johnson knows that his team will need to find the net first rather than come from behind like they had to in the last meeting.   With the Sting at full strength this week-end should see them extend their lead over Flintshire who despite their recent additions have the more difficult run-in to the end of the season with two games away at Solway and fortress Fylde.  On paper at least it looks like Flintshire's fortunes are going to have to turn full circle if they are going to prevent the Sting from reaching the Play-off's.