THE last thing Ashley Tait ever wants to be seen as is a father figure - not on the ice, anyway.
But, the 33-year-old Sheffield Steelers winger is constantly being reminded of his advancing years by his new linemates, Jason Hewitt, aged 25, and Robert Dowd, 20.
Coach Dave Matsos juggled his lines last weekend by moving Hewitt alongside Tait and Dowd. They blended well but the big test is this weekend against joint league leaders Belfast Giants (Saturday, away) and Nottingham Panthers (Sunday, home).
Tait said: "I like our new line; I do feel like the old man out there, mind you.
"It would be nice if my two new linemates didn't keep reminding me of that every day as well!
"I think we like the British-line image, as well. It's most likely that we will be up against a full import line on Sunday, so it will be for Queen and country, I suppose.
"I think we owe Nottingham one after the way the first game at the NIC ended (5-4 loss.)
"If you get beat by a great goal you just have to accept it. However, a lucky bounce off our guy's skates ... that just sits in your stomach and eats away at you.
"Nottingham are off to a flyer and this year it is us who are out there trying to catch them. They are a skilled team but we have been here before ... come Sunday we will be ready."
Matsos says he thinks he has captured a British-bulldog mentality on the Tait line.
He said: "Those guys enjoy playing together. We get great emotion and energy out of that line.
"Hewey keeps telling me that the line has got a lot tougher since he joined it.
"Hewey was playing well with Ryan Finnerty and Jono Phillips; he looks after his own end well and finishes his hits.
"At Belfast and at home against Nottingham we need him doing that every shift.
"Dowdy is still young and fearless; offensively, he can make things happen.
"Ashley has to be the responsible one who oversees the line. We all know he is a sniper too.
"If Hewey can flush out those loose pucks, then Ashley and Dowdy can score on any night."
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Blades Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarOwls Watch 08-09 - The Season So FarWatch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much moreFootball headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 449 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
