So says Sheffield defenceman Ian Manzano, who wants the club to advance from being Play Off champions to being league champions.

Manzano was as thrilled as anybody to win the season's most prestigious cup. But he isn't blind to the fact that a 54-game season is a more comprehensive test for any club hoping to call themselves the best in Britain.

Coventry Blaze, beaten Play Off finalists, have that mantle. And says Manzano: "That is the next test for us. The league is all about endurance, it is a marathon where the long term focus is more gruelling.

"The emphasis on the team now has to be that we put in a consistent effort to finish first next season."

Manzano described the harmony between coach Dave Matsos and the players as "rare in pro hockey."

He said: "There's normally a difference between coach and players, the coach doesn't always feel comfortable around them. But here it's the other way round. Everybody is really close, and there is a level of trust which makes it work.

"Everybody should give 100 percent in training and in games and I think we have showed that."

The mid-season axeing of Jeremy Cornish for Dan Tessier brought a significant sea-change for the team's chances, added Manzano.

"It was tough on Jeremy to be the one who was sacrificed, but Tess's arrival meant we had three truly balanced lines" said the Canadian, who said he'd like to return to Sheffield next year, if asked.

Meanwhile, The English Premier League play-offs will be decided at the weekend at Coventry with Sheffield Scimitars, Bracknell Bees, Slough and Guildford the contenders.

Scimitars top Group A and face Bracknell Bees at 3pm tomorrow. The second semi-final to be played at 7pm tomorrow is Slough v Guildford,

Scimitars go in again as underdogs against the top three teams in the League, all of whom have a full quota of imports compared to the Scimitars' three. The Scimitars though should have their full squad of players except for Pasi Raitanen.

The final takes place on Sunday at 6.30pm with the ENL Final between Peterborough Islanders and Whitley Bay, being held in the afternoon, facing off at 2.30pm.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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