STEELERS' blueliner Steve Munn has sounded a rallying cry to his Sheffield team-mates after they slumped to their third defeat in six games.
Munn who has been on the sidelines after suffering a suspected fracture in his 10 days ago, said the team had "to play desperate, hard working hockey every night" - or they would fall further behind in the Elite League title race.
Steelers are fifth in the division after suffering their second consecutive defeat to Manchester Phoenix, last Sunday.
Munn said the team must give 100 per cent every night, as they could take no match for granted.
"We are faster than most teams, willing to work harder and are stronger at the back end than most teams and those are the things that should win us hockey games" he said.
Click on the green audio icon to hear the full interview.Some fans are wondering whether the Summer decision to off-load Dan Tessier, eventually to Nottingham Panthers, should have been avoided.
Munn admitted: "Any team would miss Tess, take one and a half points a game out of the line up and that changes things, for sure.
"But at the same time, in losing 'Tess' we have picked up guys that, in my mind, have made us a better team."
The defenceman said the arrival of Scott Basiuk has added a new dimension to the Power Play and Penalty Kill.
"Guys are having lesser roles on PP and PK because of Basiuk's strength. That is an adjustment that has been wonderful. He has solidified our blue line so well."
Nathan Gillies - who has yet to score a point for Steelers - brought character and work ethic to the team, said Munn, who added: "He is still trying to find his footing. The best is yet to come from Gillies."
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 376 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
