Sheffield Steelers v Edinburgh Capitals: Rod Sarich primed for Steelers' return

Last night, help came from an unlikely source as Steelers’ fiercest rivals, Nottingham Panthers, beat visitors Cardiff 7-4.

It means Paul Thompson’s side will go into tonight’s clash against Edinburgh Capitals at Ice Sheffield with a little bit more of a spring in their step.

Make no mistake Cardiff – who visit South Yorkshire twice next month – remain in the box-seat with third-placed Steelers still trailing by eight points.

And with Nottingham no doubt intent on damaging another rivals’ title hopes in the space of five days when they visit Sheffield Arena on Saturday, the Steelers know there is no room for error in the next six weeks.

Head coach Thompson takes his team into tonight’s encounter on the back of a four-point weekend and may have to return veteran defenceman Rod Sarich to the fray earlier than anticipated.

“We all know Cardiff are in the driving seat, but we’ve just got to keep winning,” said Thompson, whose team face an Edinburgh side fresh from a 4-1 defeat at Coventry Blaze last night, but still in with an outside chance of making the play-offs. “Roddy may get a chance to lace up again earlier than expected because we came out of Manchester with a couple of guys beat up, but that was the reason for bringing him in.”