Hard work will serve Steelers well - Finnerty

The Steelers head to Northern Ireland as defending regular season champions having clinched the title under now-departed player-coach Ben Simon on the final day of last season, denying both Belfast and the Cardiff Devils in the process.

Finnerty certainly has big skates to fill - Simon since having taken up an assistant coach role with Rockford IceHogs in the American League. But, on paper at least, the new player-coach has put together a decent-looking roster which will be expected to challenge for honours once again.

Belfast tipped for great things last season without actually lifting any silverware, are once again seen as many people’s front-runners for honours and have put together another strong-looking roster, with former Cardiff hotshot Pelle the stand-out name after switching from South Wales in the summer.

The 25-year-old American posted 110 points - an equal split of goals and assists - during the 2010-11 regular season in Cardiff in his first year in the UK. But the start of his second campaign will be delayed as he misses Steelers’ visit through injury.

But Finnerty, Pelle’s captain in Cardiff last season before his return to the Steelers in his first-ever coaching role, was quick to point out that the Giants would pose numerous other threats on the ice due to what he regards as an upgrade on their roster, with a lot of expected of new imports Brock McBride, Darryl Lloyd and Derek LeBlanc.

“I know all about Jon and he’s a danger to any team, particularly in and around the net where he does most damage,” said Finnerty.

“It is good news that he’s out but this Belfast team are very good quality all over the ice and we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready for them.

“They had a good team last season but ran into a lot of injury problems in the first half. I think bringing in that extra, or ‘spare’ import will help them cope with that.”

Finnerty’s preparations have been hindered somewhat because of a lack of available ice time for his players due to an event being held at Sheffield Arena. But the 30-year-old Canadian said his players were ready to go for the season’s opener.

“It has been a pain for us with having little ice time to practice as much as we would have liked but we’ll be ready. It’s a young team we’ve got, we all know how to play the game and the guys know what the lines and combinations have been for a good few days now.

“One thing we need to make sure we do in Belfast - and in every game play - is that we outwork the opposition.

“We’ve got great character in our room and I feel we’ve got a good mixture of skill and toughness - if you combine that with outworking your opponents you always stand a good chance.”

Yet again there is a staggered start to the Elite League season, with only one other game on Saturday, involving the Nottingham Panthers who welcome Cardiff to the NIC. The the two face a return match in South Wales on Sunday.