Steelers targeting title retention to go Continental again next season

The three-day event in Herning, Denmark, eventually saw the Elite League champions finish bottom of their group with one point, gained in their opening defeat against Italian side HC Asiago.

But, a significant disadvantage in terms of roster size when compared to their rivals and a tendency to run into penalty trouble, ensured that the Steelers were unable to return from Scandinavia with a win.

The promise shown by taking eventual winners Asiago to a shoot-out on Friday could not be maintained as hosts Herning Blue Fox shut them out for a 3-0 win on Saturday, before Hungarian outfit Dunaujvaros inflicted a 6-3 defeat yesterday.

Finnerty, who will now get his team ready for a return to Elite League action on Saturday at home to Cardiff Devils, admitted he was disappointed with the outcome but more determined to retain the regular season championship in order to have another go next season.

““We came here with the view that we would work hard, play hard and enjoy the experience and we have,” he said.

“Now we are ready to come home and get on with the job in our own league.

“We want to win the league so we can come back and have another crack at this Continental Cup because from where I sit we are not too far away.”

More importantly, Finnerty said his team had suffered no further injury worries as a result of the trip and were closing in on a replacement defenceman for Rod Sarich, who is out long-term after suffering kidney damage.

Hull Stingrays failed to build on their midweek win in Cardiff after drawing a blank in both of their league games.

A 6-1 defeat at Nottingham Panthers was followed by a 3-2 home reverse to Braehead Clan – a team they beat 9-4 at the same venue last month.

“We were hoping to build on the Cardiff win,” said Cloutier. “But we went to Nottingham and there wasn’t even any effort. It was a 3-1 game going into the third and it was almost as if we gave up for some reason.

“Against Braehead, we had a mental breakdown on the first and second goal and it pretty much summed up our night. ”

In the English Premier League, Sheffield Steeldogs followed up a 3-2 defeat at Milton Keynes with a 6-4 win at Telford Tigers.