Injured Tait still contributing to Steelers’ title mission

Tait’s absence for the rest of the season is the third long-term injury sustained by the Steelers this season as they take their bid for a second successive Elite League title into the final two weeks of the regular season.

Rod Sarich has only just returned to the ice after missing three-and-a-half months after damaging a kidney, while captain Jonathan Phillips was out for more than two months with a knee injury.

Tait, 36, suffered an ankle injury in a 4-2 defeat at home to title rivals Belfast Giants in early February and, after several scans, the club and player have finally admitted defeat in their hopes of him returning to the ice this season.

His prolonged absence was also confirmed by his omission from the preliminary Great Britain squad announced by Tony Hand on Friday for the World Championships in Slovenia next month.

Tait has stepped up his role alongside Neil Abel on the Steelers bench since being sidelined and will continue with that for the rest of the campaign.

Despite less goals than in previous campaigns, Tait has again been one of the Steelers’ biggest contributors this season, scoring 45 points, including eight goals.

“Ash is someone who you can’t really replace,” said Finnerty. “It’s a big loss for us and it’s obvious our form dipped once he was out of the line-up because he provides you with such depth.

“It’s something we need to address in terms of next season, dealing with injuries like this because losing Ash changes the whole dynamic of our team.

“Everything he puts into the team is gone and - no disrespect to the younger guys like Lee Esders who are filling in and doing a great job - but you just can’t replace Ash’s overall quality.”

Steelers ensured they head to Belfast for next weekend’s double header with the title race still on thanks to home wins over Braehead and Cardiff at the weekend. They know they need to win all five of their remaining games - including, preferably, both encounters at the Odyssey Arena in regulation.

Finnerty said he was happy that Tait - now in his fourth season with the club - would still be contributing effectively from the sidelines, particularly with the two huge games against the Giants on the horizon.

“We’ve still got Ash on the bench and, along with Neil (Abel), they’ve both been huge for me this season. Although he’s not out on the ice, having Ash on the bench more is great because he sees such a lot from there.

“You can perhaps stand losing one of your imports because you can replace them far easier - although you’re always going to struggle to replace someone like Rod (Sarich).

“But it is difficult to replace top-end British guys and losing one, like Ash or Jono earlier in the season, just kills your depth.”

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