Finnerty demands positive reaction to finish off Clan

Finnerty was left frustrated by his team’s performance in a 3-2 shoot-out defeat to Edinburgh Capitals on Saturday – the second home loss at the hands of the Scottish club this season.

The Steelers’ head coach is expecting a positive reaction from his players in time for tonight’s Challenge Cup, semi-final second leg at Sheffield Arena against the Braehead Clan, who will be looking to overturn the 4-2 lead secured by the South Yorkshire club in last week’s first leg in Glasgow.

And Finnerty has warned his players that could easily happen if there is any repeat of Saturday night’s performance.

“I think we hit rock-bottom as a team on Saturday – no disrespect to Edinburgh but that is a game we should be winning,” said Finnerty, who is also looking to the play-offs for his team to lift some silverware. “It’s one thing to play well and lose, totally another to play like we did on Saturday and lose – we just didn’t turn up, there was no jump.

“As far as I’m concerned, the only way for us is up.

“If we don’t improve and play like we can, then we will get what we deserve. We won’t reach the final and then we’re left with just the play-offs.”

Although hopes of a fourth regular season title are now firmly gone – Steelers are 10 points adrift of leaders Nottingham Panthers with just six games left – Finnerty insists there is still plenty for his misfiring squad to play for.

“There are still two trophies for us to play for,” added Finnerty. “And if we win both then it’s still been a good season. Hopefully, the Edinburgh defeat was the kick up the backside some of our guys needed to realise that.”

And if any further incentive were needed, it is Nottingham who await in the final after they saw off Belfast Giants in the other semi-final.

Saturday night’s final league meeting of the season between the Steelers and Panthers also presents an opportunity for Finnerty’s men to gain revenge for their 4-2 defeat at the National Ice Centre 10 days ago - a result which has produced subsequently poor performances as it effectively ended their title hopes.

It will also allow them to put a dent in the East Midlands club’s own title ambitions, particularly with a double-header weekend to come in Belfast for Corey Neilson’s side on March 15 and 16.