Video: Was the release of Sheffield Steelers forward by 'mutual consent' after all?

The side has scored only five goals in their last three games, as they struggled without the injured trio of Colton Fretter, Rob Dowd and Guillaume Desbiens.

Forwards are going through barren spells: Fredrick Vestberg has one goal in 17 games, Conny Stromberg one in 10, Jeff Legue none in eight, Mathieu Roy one in seven and Tyler Mosienko none in six.

Earlier this week, Steelers said they’d parted company with one-time Elite League top scorer Ryan Hayes on a “mutual decision” basis. But Hayes’ last interview with The Star, suggested otherwise.

Speaking last weekend, Hayes admitted he needed to improve form saying: “I still have got to do a little bit better...I have got to be better both ways (attacking and defending) here and help the team win.” Asked whether he would be interested in staying at the club next season he replied: “Yeah, I am just trying to finish the season right now, and obviously coming from Edinburgh to here its already been a big season for me. I just have to focus on this year and that’s all I can do.”

Hayes, who backed Steelers to retain the league title, said that the Erhardt Conference was “more intense” than the one he’d left when he played in Edinburgh Capitals, the Gardiner conference.

League leaders Cardiff will hope to reinforce their five point lead over Steelers tomorrow they host Coventry.