Mosienko’s return softens loss of resurgent Sarich for Steelers

The Elite League club were told yesterday that the 30-year-old Canadian would be clear to play against Cardiff Devils on Saturday at the Motorpoint Arena after completing a five-game ban for his part in a spot fixing scandal while playing in Denmark last season.

Steelers’ coach Gerad Adams, said: “Tyler has been skating with us the whole time, but it’s not the same as actually playing.

“Like all players, he is a bad watcher of a game, he wants to be out there with his team-mates.

“He has been first class though throughout the whole time but you can tell he is anxious to get back out there.”

The news is a welcome boost for the play-off champions following news that defenceman Rod Sarich faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after fracturing a bone in his leg during Sunday’s 3-2 win over defending league champions Belfast Giants.

“It’s hard to say how long Rod will be out for,” added Adams.

“He will have further scans next week - he could be out two, four or six weeks, we just don’t know and won’t do until the results of the scans next week.

“It’s a big blow to Rod because, after a long lay-off, he was finding his feet and playing like the Roddy we all know and love.”