Watch 'the Moose' bounce back tonight for Sheffield Steelers

The Latvian ntminder was not at his best, conceding three goals in each of the first two periods against Minsk, in the Continental Cup in Denmark, on Friday.

Thompson admitted it had been " at tough night" for the netminder.

He said: "Our best player had to be Moose - and it wasn't to be."

But he said he would be when Steelers play their second Group game against host side Rungsted.

Thompson said the club, which needs to come second in the three team table, at least, to qualify had "put ourselves in the position" where they now had to battle even harder.

Defenceman Scott Aarssen added that the team had now to work "back up the mountain" and claim maximum points, with around 200 Steelers fans shouting them on.

DOMESTIC FIXTURES

Saturday 18th November

Elite League

Braehead Clan v Dundee Stars - 7.00pm

Cardiff Devils v Fife Flyers - 7.00pm

Manchester Storm v Edinburgh Capitals - 7.00pm

Challenge Cup Group C

Coventry Blaze v Guildford Flames - 7.00pm

Sunday 19th November

Elite League

Belfast Giants v Manchester Storm - 4.00pm

Edinburgh Capitals v Coventry Blaze - 6.00pm

Guildford Flames v Fife Flyers - 6.00pm

Milton Keynes Lightning v Braehead Clan - 5.30pm

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils - 4.00pm