IF Sheffield Steeldogs are to prevail at the Final Four Weekend in Coventry, Jonathan Phillips believes their depth will have played a huge role.

The Steeldogs head into today’s NIHL National play-off semi-final against Leeds Knights looking to keep their hopes of a 2025-26 double alive.

The first part was secured, of course, when they beat the Knights over two hotel-contested legs of the National Cup final, which ended with the Steeldogs prevailing with a Bair Gendunov winner just 11 seconds from the end of overtime at Ice Sheffield.

It was a mark of the progress made under head coach Slava Koulikov since his arrival from second-tier rivals Peterborough Phantoms last summer.

Another indication of the progress made under the ownership of Sheffield Steelers’ boss Tony Smith is the fact the Steeldogs are in Coventry for the first time since 2023.

Back then, they were beaten 5-4 by Romford Raiders at the semi-final stage, 12 months on from victory in the final which sealed a Cup and play-off double under former coach Greg Wood.

It is that same combination of trophies the Steeldogs seek this weekend at the SkyDome Arena, with veteran forward Phillips confident they have the ability to achieve their aim thanks in part to the impressive depth throughout Koulikov’s roster.

Gendunov has continued the team-leading scoring he enjoyed throughout the regular season - where he posted 95 points in league and cup - into the play-offs, with six goals and six assists so far.

INFLUENTIAL: American forward Walker Sommer (left) has been a crucial part of the team's success this season, says Jonathan Phillips, right. Picture: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — INFLUENTIAL: American forward Walker Sommer (left) has been a crucial part of the team's success this season, says Jonathan Phillips, right. Picture: Tony Johnson.

But the scoring has been well spread throughout the line-up, with fellow imports Walker Sommer, Joonas Larinmaa and CJ Garcia understandably impressing, while British players such as Nathan Ripley, Kyle Watson, Ivan Björkly-Nordström and Philips himself are also significant contributors.

Young defenceman Liam Steele, like Watson in his first senior season, has even weighed in with 47 points, including 18 goals.

“Last year we didn't quite have that kind of secondary scoring that we perhaps needed,” said the former GB captain.

“We've got depth in scoring this year. On any night I think any one player can kind of win the game for us, which is obviously huge and what you're looking for as a team.

WELCOME ADDITION: Kyle Watson has enjoyed a productive first season with Sheffield Steeldogs, as well as making inroads with Sheffield Steelers. Picture: Tony Johnson

“These lads such as Kyle, Ivan and Liam have come in and they've got the ambition of playing as high as they can.

“Obviously, they've been on a two-way contract this year and seeing their development over the season and the kind of skill level that they can bring to the game on a nightly basis has been massive for us.

“And especially this time of year, you tend to find that the top lines kind of hold each other down and throughout history you see those kinds of third, fourth lines scoring and winning games, so it's definitely huge for us to have that depth.”