Gettinger: Steelers must stay positive and be ready for huge cup night
Sheffield Steelers are setting their sights on Challenge Cup qualification this week, with Tim Gettinger emphasising the competition's importance after a weekend of mixed results.
Tim Gettinger says Sheffield Steelers must continue to trust their game and stay positive after a weekend that brought frustration in Cardiff followed by an important home victory over Fife Flyers.
The Steelers were beaten 1-0 by Cardiff Devils on Saturday despite creating enough chances to take something from the game, before responding less than 24 hours later with a 6-3 win against Fife at the Utilita Arena.
Gettinger felt Sheffield deserved more from their performance in South Wales but was pleased with the way the team responded on Sunday.
“We weren’t happy with how the game ended in Cardiff,” he said.
“Apart from maybe the first five minutes, I thought we played well as a team and it was unfortunate to come away with nothing.
“Then against Fife, I thought our first period was really good.
“We had a little lull in the second, took a couple of penalties and let them back into the game, but we moved past it.
“Towards the end of the second and into the third, I thought we took over again.
“So overall it was a good weekend, and now we have a big week coming up.”
Sheffield raced into a 4-0 lead against Fife before the visitors scored three unanswered goals in the second period to make it 4-3.
The Steelers steadied themselves in the third, adding two more goals to close out the victory.
Gettinger believes the key was remaining composed when momentum began to swing.
“As a group, we just keep talking on the bench and stay positive through it all,” he said.
“Against Cardiff there were times where we were around the perimeter, but we still did a lot of good things — getting pucks to the net and getting bodies there.
“We just stuck with it.
“Against Fife, especially in the first period, it showed. We were simple, we got pucks to the net and we got rewarded.
“That’s what we have to stick with moving forward.”
The weekend also underlined the importance of managing the inevitable momentum swings that come during games.
“There are a lot of ups and downs throughout a game,” Gettinger said.
“Against Fife we came out in the first period and scored four, then they got a couple and suddenly it was a new game.
“But in the third we buckled down and got a big win. That was important for us.”
Attention now turns to Wednesday night and the Steelers’ final Challenge Cup group game against Manchester Storm.
Sheffield remain in control of their own destiny, and Gettinger says the importance of the competition has been clear from the start of the season.
“From day one, Foxy and everyone has made it clear, especially for the new guys, what the Challenge Cup means,” he said.
“It’s been a big thing for us.
“We want to qualify. Trophies are important to us.
“We’ve already had that conversation and we know how big Wednesday is, so we’ll be ready for it.”
The Steelers have also had to deal with the absence of key players, but Gettinger insists the group cannot afford to dwell on who is unavailable.
“It’s tough losing two key players, but it’s next man up,” he said.
“Everyone is pulling the rope right now and every night we need different guys to step up.
“Hopefully they’re back soon, but we can’t wait on that.
“We just have to go out there every night with whoever is available, stick to the game plan and get results.”