Audio: Sarich backs Steelers to deliver

The 28-year-old Canadian has been a frustrated bystander in recent weeks as he recovers from surgery on a broken bone in his foot and has long accepted his season is over as his team-mates prepare for this weekend's two-legged first round play-off against Cardiff Devils.

Sarich returns for a sixth season with Steelers in the autumn and believes he could be returning to a club starting the 2010-11 campaign as play-off champions.

Steelers clinched the double at the NIC last year by beating hosts Nottingham Panthers 2-0 in the play-off final. It came 12 months after a victory by the same scoreline against 2008 league champions Coventry Blaze, who have repeated their regular season exploits this season.

For Steelers, however, a fifth place finish is regarded as failure following last season's successes, making them even more desperate to salvage something from a disappointing campaign.

"It's about proving that we are better than our regular season record has shown," said Sarich.

To listen to Rod Sarich on the play-offs and his thoughts on next season's play-off format click the green PLAY button.

"If we did pull off something like a third straight play-off title that would be quite an accomplishment.

"The relative short format of the play-offs means that if you go into the post-season in a bit of a groove from the end of the regular season it can carry you through four more games which could get you a play-off title.

"There's always that unknown element about the play-offs, with a team that's starting to play better towards the end of the season or if a goalie gets hot - that could be us this year."

To listen to Rod Sarich on the play-offs and his thoughts on next season's play-off format click the green PLAY button.

Sarich believes next year's extended post-season will provide added excitement for both teams and fans.

The addition of the Braehead Clan in Glasgow means six of nine teams will qualify for the play-offs to play five games in a round-robin format ahead of the top four taking part in the traditional play-off finals weekend in Nottingham.

"If teams are battling it out to make it for that sixth play-off qualifying spot, then more of the games towards the end of the season will become that much more important," said Sarich.

"I think the extended format certainly adds more drama and offers more big play-off games for fans to watch so I hope it works out for them as well."

To listen to Rod Sarich on the play-offs and his thoughts on next season's play-off format click the green PLAY button.

STEELERS have been boosted ahead of their Saturday night trip to Cardiff Devils after captain Jonathan Phillips agreed to sign for another year with the club.

The 27-year-old Welshman joined the club prior to the start of the 2006 season and has since played in over 200 games for the club.

"We all know that this year hasn't been what we had hoped for and we are all disappointed about that," said Phillips.

"However, you learn more in adversity and I think a lot of us here have learnt a lot this year and want another shot at putting things right."

Head coach Dave Matsos, added: "He hasn't had the best of years on the scoreboard but, inside the dressing room, at the rink every day he has shown us how much he cares and has led us with his work ethic.

"Signing Jono is a no brainer, we have invested in him for the long term."