Sheffield Steelers legend sets sights on Italian play offs

Robert Dowd will not be resting on his laurels after clocking up five points in one game for his Italian team.
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The Sheffield Steelers' asset is keen to do more to help his team Eppan Pirates come off the bottom of their division and qualify for the play offs in Italy's second flight.

Pirates are currently bottom of the table, but only a point separates them from eighth place, a slot which would guarantee instant qualification for the all-important end of season tournament.

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Dowd scored points in all three periods last weekend (1+4) as his team came from two goals behind to beat Valdifiemme 7-4.

"It was a fun game to play in," said Dowd, who says he is happy and injury free.

"We have a bunch of guys out of the line-up which is tough but will soldier on.

"The top eight makes the play offs in this league so there is still all to play for."

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The regular campaign ends later this month, so Dowd will be hoping he and Sheffield team-mate Marco Vallerand can help drive Eppan into the post season tournament.

The Great Britain player has been buoyed by the arrival in South Tyrol of his family from Sheffield, saying: "It's mint them being here. We are having a lovely time."

Eppan will be hoping to improve their position and cause an upset on Saturday when they take on fourth-placed Bressanone.

Meanwhile, Steelers' defenceman Marek Troncinský's offensive contribution for Romanian side Gyergoi is helping that club towards the play offs, too.

Robert Dowd: a happy man in northern ItalyRobert Dowd: a happy man in northern Italy
Robert Dowd: a happy man in northern Italy
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He is averaging around a point a game, similar to his output at Sheffield.

*Former Sheffield utility player James Bettauer has potted 16 points from nine games for Ravensburg Towerstars in the DEL 2.

*FACTSPOT: A year ago, today (Feb 2) Steelers conceded six goals at Guildford Flames, to round off a miserable no-points weekend.

It was a destabilising time for the team, who lost four games on the bounce, at this time.

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But a 6-2 win at Nottingham Panthers on February 22 set the team up for a trail of results which ended with the Challenge Cup final win at Cardiff Devils.

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