Lack of Steelers success in Cup leaves Finnerty more resolute

The Steelers head to Dundee Stars tonight for the first leg of their quarter-final encounter having come through the group phase in relative comfort.

Finnerty admits the midweek Cup fixture is a welcome distraction for his players from the pressures of pushing for a regular season league title, particularly after Sunday’s 4-2 home defeat to leaders Nottingham Panthers.

That result leaves third-placed Steelers seven points adrift of their rivals, although there are 17 games remaining – three of which pit the two clubs against one another.

Regardless of whether the Steelers go a second season without a league title, Finnerty is keen for his team to succeed in the Challenge Cup – a competition they have finished runner-up in on three occasions since the Elite League began in 2003.

The last time they reached the final was in 2007-08 when they lost to Nottingham.

“It’s something we talked about at the start of the season,” said Finnerty. “It’s about time we won this cup and is something we’ve taken seriously all season.”

The Steelers come up against an in-form Dundee side tonight, with the Scottish club – coached by former Steelers’ forward Jeff Hutchins – winning six of their last seven outings. The three previous meetings between the two teams have all gone Steelers’ way, although twice they required overtime to clinch both points.

“It’s going to be a battle for us up there and we know that,” added Finnerty. “If we can come out of there slightly ahead or even level we’ll be happy.

“They’ve got some pretty effective offence, particularly on their top line of Wirll, Ryhanen and Bagron – but they’ve got some decent secondary scoring too.”

The second leg will take place at Ice Sheffield on Wednesday, January 30.