SCOTT Champagne has to change the habit of a lifetime - and stop being so unselfish!
Sheffield Steelers’ latest signing is a playmaker by inclination, but his new coach, Ryan Finnerty, wants to see him upgrade his own goal output.
“I do like to create things and set up my team-mates” said Champagne, who joined the club from Belfast Giants, where he scored five goals in 19 League games.
“Finner is right though - I need to shoot the puck more often. I guess it’s been my flaw over the years.”
Champagne scored on his home debut for Sheffield last Sunday against Braehead Clan.
“Surprisingly, I was actually looking to create a play but couldn’t find anyone. I was running out of room so I thought I’d better shoot or I’ll get in trouble” he said.
The 7-2 win over the Scots put third-place Steelers seven points behind leaders Nottingham Panthers, who have also scored more and conceded less.
Second place Belfast are a point ahead of Finnerty’s team and have a game in hand.
Catching the leaders is a tall order. But the 29-year-old forward commented: “We talk about it (the task) in the room, we know we have some work to do, but there are still 19 games left, both us and Nottingham have to play it one game at a time, and get two points from each game and see where that brings us.
“Our players have bought into the system that Finner has been setting and at the moment it is paying off.”
Sheffield have momentous back-to-back home dates next weekend, hosting mid-table Coventry and then Panthers.
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