Hull Pirates and Sheffield Steeldogs prepare to sign off at home

Steeldogs’ already faint hopes of making the English Premier League’s play-off finals weekend in Coventry were ended completely on Wednesday following a 6-2 defeat at home to Peterborough Phantoms.

Friday night sees player-coach Wood’s team host Elite League-bound Guildford Flames - who currently top Group A - before finishing off their season completely with a trip to regular season champions, Telford Tigers.

Hull Pirates, for who a 4-2 defeat at home to Basingstoke Bison on Wednesday ended their play-off hopes in Group B, also bring the curtain down on their home schedule for the 2016-17 campaign when they host Swindon Wildcats on Saturday night.

Jason Hewitt’s team then finish off their second season with a visit to regular season runners-up Milton Keynes Lightning, who will be joining Guildford in the top-flight come September.

Wood says a busy summer lies ahead for himself and the owners in terms of continuing the rebuilding job they started last summer. But, for now, the 30-year-old player-coach wants to treat the club’s fans a positive send-off at Ice Sheffield.

“We’ve got to come out and show a bit of pride and have a bit of fight about us,” said Wood.

“We’ve had a really good match-up against Guildford this year and we’ve fared well against them by splitting the six-game series with them over the regular season, it’s our last home game and we’d like to go out with a bit of a bang.

“It would be nice to put on a bit of a show and play with some confidence and flair and provide some entertainment. People have come all year and supported us through thick and thin and I think they deserve something to shout about at the last home game.”