Steelers set to wait for defensive replacement

Following their disappointing Continental Cup experience, the defending regular season champions are back on home ice this Saturday for the visit of the Cardiff Devils (7pm) before travelling to Hull Stingrays 24 hours later.

No further injuries were picked up in Denmark, but Finnerty is still looking to fill the massive hole left by defenceman Rod Sarich’s long-term absence due to a damaged kidney.

The Steelers are waiting to hear from a player they made an offer to on Tuesday, with another defenceman lined up as a possible replacement in case he turns the Steelers down.

“We have got two guys in the running, with one having been made an offer,” said Finnerty. “But it’s not likely to happen in time for the weekend.”

On a positive note, Finnerty said captain Jonathan Phillips will return earlier than expected from the knee injury that has kept him out for most of the season.

The 29-year-old should line up against former club Cardiff at Sheffield Arena this weekend.

“He’s been very unfortunate in the last two years with injury, but he’s coming back to us two weeks earlier than expected which says everything you need to know about him,” added Finnerty.

“I think that has been helped by the speed with which we got him sorted out with surgery. I think he appreciates what the ownership did for him and wants to repay their faith as quickly as possible.

“It will be great to have him back out there. He brings a lot of energy to the team and the kind of winning attitude that goes a long way.”

Finnerty said his players were looking forward to resuming Elite League action and were determined to pick up from where they left off almost two weeks ago when they beat Braehead and Nottingham,

The Steelers remained unmoved in third place the Elite League table despite their absence, although second-placed Nottingham were able to open up a five-point gap over them after Wednesday night’s 4-3 win after a shoot-out at Cardiff. Crucially, however, Steelers do have six games in hand on Corey Neilson’s team.

Braehead’s 3-1 win over Coventry means Paul Thompson’s side remain four points adrift of the Steelers having played three games more.

“It was a good experience for us all over there and while it was frustrating for us in the last two games with some of the penalty calls, it was a well-run event and we came up against three good teams,” added Finnerty.

“I think it will be good to get back to the Elite League, but we are conscious of avoiding the hangover that sometimes occurs to teams when they come back from playing in the Continental Cup.”

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Twitter: @philarra