"It's all about league points" - Matt Greenfield targets Sheffield Steelers title charge
Greenfield is delighted that attention can now turn entirely towards the league campaign.
Sheffield Steelers goaltender Matt Greenfield has delivered a clear message ahead of this weekend's league double-header against Manchester Storm, every point matters if the Steelers are to bring the Elite League championship back to Sheffield.
Greenfield knows exactly what it takes to win silverware, having backstopped Aaron Fox's side to their historic Grand Slam in 2024, when the Steelers swept the board to claim all three domestic trophies.
But since that memorable season, the Steelers have been the bridesmaids rather than the bride, with no further silverware added to the trophy cabinet since April 2024.
Now in his fifth season with the club, Greenfield believes the mentality required to win the Elite League title is very different from what many players experience elsewhere in the hockey world.
"For hockey players, it's the playoffs that are the big trophy," explained Greenfield.
"You play all year to reach the playoffs and then it's almost like the season starts for real again.
"Over here, I quickly found out that the league points are what count the most. Maybe it's a football mentality thing, but it's a change of mindset."
With the Steelers having already secured their place in January's Challenge Cup semi-finals, Greenfield is delighted that attention can now turn entirely towards the league campaign.
"That's why it's nice not to think about the Challenge Cup and concentrate on these two league games with Manchester.
"The message is a clear one. Over the whole season, you probably can only afford to lose nine to eleven games if you want to be champions, and we want to be champions."
The Steelers face Storm at Manchester's AO Arena on Friday night before the two sides meet again at the Utilita Arena Sheffield on Saturday, with four valuable league points available across the weekend.
It will be the first time the clubs have met in Elite League action this season, although they are already familiar opponents following two closely contested Challenge Cup encounters.
"Manchester have played us tight in both cup games this year," said Greenfield.
"We've come out on top, but both games were very close. They like to come hard at you, play the body and mix things up.
"Whilst they have a lot of talent, so do we, and I think in recent weeks we've started to find our game and our form.
"I know looking out at the team from between the pipes that we have the talent and the mentality.
"Concentration is key. If we can play a 60-minute game, then I'm confident we can take all of the points."
Friday's encounter will also provide another opportunity for the Steelers to experience Manchester's new home at the AO Arena, a venue Greenfield is certainly looking forward to visiting again.
"I won't lie, it's nicer going there than the old barn in Altrincham," he laughed.
"That was a different barn for sure!
"The Storm may have to play a little differently in their new home. It's a bigger ice pad for sure."
The change of venue adds another dimension to the rivalry, but Greenfield insists the Steelers' approach will remain the same, regardless of where the games are played.
Aaron Fox will once again be without captain Robert Dowd for the weekend, while Ivan Björkly Nordström is also unavailable due to international duty with Great Britain.
There is better news concerning leading scorer Mitchell Balmas, who came through last weekend's games following a two-match absence and has enjoyed a full week of practice ahead of the Manchester encounters.
The Steelers will be hoping their improving performances translate into another four-point weekend as they continue their pursuit of the league championship.