Luke Ferrara has warned that Sheffield Steelers are determined Cardiff Devils will not hit them for six in Sunday’s crunch Elite League clash.
League leaders Cardiff have won all five previous meetings between the teams this season.
And a sixth victory at Ice Arena Wales would boost coach Andrew Lord squad’s hopes of regaining the title from the Steelers.
Winger Ferrara accepts the Welsh have had the upper hand, saying: “In the head-to-heads, you could say Cardiff have been better.
“Maybe we were thinking about the importance of our games with them too much.
“We have to treat this game like it’s any other game, win the individual battles and do what we are best at.
“We have a point to prove. That goes without saying. We haven’t played well against them, but we have become a better team since we last played them, especially in defence.
“We are paying attention more to the details of our game and focusing for the full 60 minutes.”
Sheffield have suffered frustrating 3-2 defeats on their last three visits to Cardiff Bay, while they have also been beaten 4-2 and 5-2 at home.
Those five defeats have been hugely damaging and Steelers are under pressure to ensure they come out on top this Sunday.
Steelers have been crowned League champions for the last two seasons, edging out Cardiff each time.
They know their matches against Braehead Clan at home on Saturday and Devils away the following evening are crucial if they are to keep their title hopes alive.
Devils enforcer Patrick Bordeleau returns to the team after serving a one-match ban, playing against Coventry Blaze away at their Skydome home on Saturday (7pm) and Steelers the following evening (6pm).
Tickets for the Cardiff v Belfast match in the Challenge Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, February 1 are now on Sale (7.30pm face-off).
The semi-final match is not included on season tickets, but seats will be reserved until Sunday, January 22.
Tickets cost £12 adult, £10 concessions, £6 children. Book via 0800 0842 666 or in person at the arena.
Non season ticket holders can book via the club’s official website or by ringing the ticket hotline.