Tim Smith happy to keep on playing as Sheffield Steeldogs keep on winning

Having spent the majority of the past 12 months off the ice because of the coronavirus pandemic, the 32-year-old defenceman is one of many players keen to make up for lost time.

Under normal circumstances, the UK domestic season would wrap up in early April in the form of post-season playoffs. But, since October, only a small number of senior teams have been able to play competitively, behind-closed-doors,under strict Covid guidelines.

But unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures, meaning teams could play well into the summer.

Smith is part of the Steeldogs’ roster that wrapped up the Spring Cup with two games to spare. Once that competition ends this Sunday, however, it is hoped there will be further action for second-tier teams, most likely starting in May if it gets the green light.

“All we want to do is play hockey and if that means us playing in the summer, then so be it,” said Smith, now in his ninth season with the Steeldogs.

“The Spring Cup has been great as it has given us six more weeks of ice hockey that, in the present circumstances, we didn’t actually believe we were going to get.”

Last night, the Steeldogs maintained their 100 per cent record in the Spring Cup with a 7-4 win over hosts Telford Tigers.

It means they go into their 12th and final game of the competition at home to Swindon Wildcats determined to preserve their perfect record.

Liam Kirk gave the Steeldogs a fifth-minute lead before an explosion of goals came in the middle period, Jason Silverthorn equalising with a 22nd-minute shorthanded strike before ben Lake and Stanislav Lascek struck back for the visitors within five minutes.

But the hosts, already beaten by Sheffield in back-to-back games almost two weeks ago, were determined to end their rivals’ unbeaten run, hauling themselves level by the 33rd minute with strikes from David Clements and Austrin Mitchell-King.

Kirk grabbed his second of the night at 34.27, only for Clements to double his own tally just over three minutes, his shorthanded strike adding to hids earlier power play marker.

But the Steeldogs prevailed in the third period, Jonathan Phillips giving them the lead for a fourth time in the game, his strike at 52.27 being further enhanced by goals from Kirk and man-of-the-match Ben O’Connor.

The result leaves Wood’s team six points clear of second-placed Telford.

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