James Bettauer's possible return from injury couldn't come at better time for Steelers

James Bettauer is suddenly about to catapulted into a key position in the Steelers' line-up.
James Bettauer approaching a come-back from long term injuryJames Bettauer approaching a come-back from long term injury
James Bettauer approaching a come-back from long term injury

The big defenceman suffered a nasty wrist injury back in November after 27 games in his maiden Sheffield season and was forced to miss the next 20.

But he is nearing the end of his recovery and could be back for the crucial weekend games with Cardiff Devils (away) and Belfast Giants (home.)

His return could not have come at a more opportune time.

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In Wednesday night's impressive 5-1 Challenge Cup semi final first leg win at Glasgow Clan, Anthony DeLuca suffered a leg injury after 77 seconds, which saw him end his night on crutches.

He couldn't put any weight on his right limb and has clearly been struck with the same curse that has affected the newly-returned Aaron Johnson, and previously Bettauer, Robert Dowd and Jonas Liwing.

Steelers manage their injuries with compassion and sense, they will give on-form DeLuca all the time he needs.

They have already designated Bettauer as a "swing guy" who can emulate Eric Meland in terms of his versatility, playing up front or at the back.

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Bettauer, 28, scored 10 points in his 27 games and played a winger's role for much of the season last term with Krefeld Pinguine in Germany's DEL.

While it would not be a like-for-like swap for fourth-top points' scorer DeLuca, fellow-Canadian Bettauer has a cannon of a shot and, if he is fit, could fulfil the role of a power winger.

Wednesday's first semi final leg win means Sheffield are all but through to the final against either Cardiff or Nottingham Panthers.

The second leg at Sheffield Arena is on January 29 and you wouldn't risk any money on a big away victory based on the fact the fact Sheffield have banged in 27 goals against Zack Fitzgerald's team in their last five encounters.

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But the Clan coach has remarked: "Crazier things have happened, for sure" and opposite number Aaron Fox will be looking to kill them off early on home ice.

*Cardiff Devils host Nottingham Panthers on January 22 in the first leg of the 'other' semi final.

*Brendan Connolly joins Steelers' Ben O’Connor, Davey Phillips and Jonathan Phillips, having been named in the Great Britain squad ahead of the IIHF Olympic Pre-Qualification Round 3 Group J next month in Nottingham.

GB, Estonia, Hungary and Romania will battle it out for a place in the final qualifiers in August for the 2022 Beijing Olympics.