Sheffield Steelers are still chasing hard in their hunt for Elite League title glory.
Head coach Paul Thompson and his Steelers insist they have not given up on hopes of catching leaders Cardiff Devils.
Thompson’s team are at home against Devils this evening (Wednesday) and he says: “Cardiff are in a great position.
“They are going to have to slip up and we are all going to have to go on a hell of a run (to catch them).
“Devils have been the most consistent team, they have had pretty much a full bench all season and are a good team, a good hockey club. They are there on merit.
“We have had horrific injuries to key players, but we are getting back to being strong. Bodies are coming back.”
Steelers, who are 14 points behind Cardiff, are still hurting after being crushed 7-1 by Devils in the Challenge Cup semi-finals second leg, a display Thompson described as ‘garbage’.
The Yorkshire club had won the first game 6-2, but crashed out and Devils now play Belfast Giants in the final at Ice Arena Wales on Sunday, March 4.
Robert Dowd isn’t likely to return against Devils, but he may return for the match at Belfast Giants on Saturday.
Steelers have won 10 of their last 11 home fixtures and Thompson said: “We want to bounce back with a solid win and keep this home run going, which is very strong right now.”
Sheffield won both of their matches last weekend, beating Guildford Flames 3-2 and then recovering from three goals down to win 4-3 at Coventry Blaze.
“The match against Devils will be more of a physical battle,” said Thompson. “You have to win your battles.”
Steelers v Devils is the only League match this evening (7.30pm), while Cardiff take on Manchester Storm away on Saturday before entertaining Belfast in Cardiff Bay on Sunday (6pm).
ELITE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Regular 2017/18
| Rk | Team | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | WPCT | Pts |
| 1 | Cardiff Devils | 45 | 34 | 8 | 1 | 2 | .789 | 71 |
| 2 | Manchester Storm | 46 | 29 | 12 | 3 | 2 | .685 | 63 |
| 3 | Belfast Giants | 46 | 29 | 15 | 2 | 0 | .652 | 60 |
| 4 | Fife Flyers | 42 | 28 | 12 | 1 | 1 | .690 | 58 |
| 5 | Sheffield Steelers | 44 | 27 | 14 | 2 | 1 | .648 | 57 |
| 6 | Guildford Flames | 45 | 23 | 15 | 4 | 3 | .589 | 53 |
| 7 | Nottingham Panthers | 42 | 24 | 15 | 2 | 1 | .607 | 51 |
| 8 | Braehead Clan | 47 | 19 | 23 | 4 | 1 | .457 | 43 |
| 9 | Coventry Blaze | 46 | 17 | 24 | 4 | 1 | .424 | 39 |
| 10 | Dundee Stars | 44 | 17 | 23 | 3 | 1 | .432 | 38 |
| 11 | Milton Keynes Lightning | 46 | 17 | 28 | 1 | 0 | .380 | 35 |
| 12 | Edinburgh Capitals | 45 | 5 | 39 | 0 | 1 | .122 | 11 |