Coventry Blaze
Coventry Blaze announce further pre-season fixtures

Buy photos » Blaze head coach Paul Thompson was disappointed to see his side's 7-game unbeaten run in the Elite League come to an end. (S) Photo by Mark Tredgold

COVENTRY Blaze will face rivals Sheffield Steelers in back-to-back challenge matches in September.

Coach Paul Thompson has already announced that his side will travel to Cardiff Devils on August 29 with the teams meeting again at the Skydome on September 5.

And now they will face Steelers - having failed to beat them in eight attempts last season - as they prepare for the 2012/13 Elite League campaign.

The first clash will be at the Motorpoint Arena on September 1 with the return at the Skydome 24 hours later.

Coach Paul Thompson said: "We did not do well at all against Steelers last season.

"They will again be earmarked as one of the top teams in the league so it is going to be a good test for us, just like the two games against the Devils."

Thompson has also confirmed he has offers out to three new players and is hoping to have some news in the coming weeks.

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