Humbled Steelers happy to have no time to feel sore

Steelers were humbled 7-1 in front of their own fans on Wednesday night, allowing the league leaders to extend their advantage over them to six points, although the South Yorkshire club do still have a game in hand and the pair still have to play each other twice more.

Although it was a night to forget for the home team in their biggest defeat of the season, they do not have to wait too long before trying to put things right.

Bottom-of-the-table Edinburgh Capitals visit the Motorpoint Arena tomorrow (7pm) on the back of a nine-game losing streak, then Sunday sees the Steelers travel to face injury-riddled Coventry Blaze, who have only one win in seven.

"It helps being in action again so quickly because guys don't have to sit at home for a week or whatever to think about what happened against Cardiff," said Simon.

"We'll address a few things in practice and then we're right back at it which is what we need."

Simon said one of the most frustrating aspects of Wednesday's defeat was seeing his team being outworked and outsmarted by a Cardiff side who are now clear favourites to land the regular season title having extended their winning streak to 21 games.

The American was also disappointed to see his side run into continuous penalty trouble, with forward Rob Globke handed a 10-minute misconduct call for abuse of an official in the second period before Jeff Legue was handed a match penalty late in the third after he made an obscene gesture to an official having initially been given a two-minute hooking penalty.

"Our lack of discipline and professionalism, particularly in the third period, was very frustrating," added Simon.

"I think we self-imploded and we let emotions get the better of us. But we do have a lot of character in that room, so I don't question my players for a second, although we can't have games like we did against Cardiff where we are blowing our tops because I am yet to see a referee reverse a call here.

"Did we lose because of the ref? No way. We lost because we didn't show up to play – we were outworked, outsmarted, outcoached and outdone in every facet of the game."

FORWARD Jason Silverthorn insists Hull Stingrays need to continue their good work on the road this season if they are to achieve their aim of a top-six finish.

Sylvain Cloutier's team enhanced their chances of overhauling sixth-placed Braehead Clan with a 2-1 win at home to Dundee Stars on Wednesday night.

Hull – who have already matched last season's away points haul of 13 – are four points behind Braehead with four games in hand, but Silverthorn said: "Championship-winning teams win on the road.

"No one is successful just by winning your home games – you have to find that balance."