'We don't want to waste all that hard work' Steelers' Aaron Johnson says as team tries to recapture earlier season form

Aaron Johnson wants to see a return of the earlier-season version of Sheffield Steelers - rather than the uncharacteristically flawed performances that have surrendered the last four games and possibly the chance of lifting the championship.
Aaron Johnson, centre, and Sheffield team-mates.Aaron Johnson, centre, and Sheffield team-mates.
Aaron Johnson, centre, and Sheffield team-mates.

Currently, Steelers do not look like potential league winners - and many observers think they have already blown their chances of winning the EIHL title.

They cannot afford to drop any points now - and must beat Nottingham Panthers, away, on Saturday to halt their closest rivals in their own momentum-fuelled championship gallop.

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Johnson, who was playing in the NHL at 20, is an experienced professional and admits Sheffield have faltered as others have picked up the pace.

"You can definitely see every team is in a situation where they are either fighting for their play off life or fighting for a top position in the league," he says.

"As you can tell, the intensity of the games have gone up in the past two or three weeks for sure."

The former Team Canada defenceman said the team certainly had not "been themselves" when the tempo has risen in recent games.

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Referring to the season as a whole, in which Steelers have prevailed at the top of the league for weeks, he commented: "We have definitely had some success.

"So far it has been good but now we have come to a point where we don't want to waste all that hard work.

"We want to make sure we finish the right way and make sure it was all worth it."

Johnson said he not think they could afford to lose any more games adding: "The game plan is obviously to win them out.

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"If we want to win this league we are going to beat good teams so the goal right now would be to get back to winning one game and work from there.

"It is time to get back to work here..and hopefully get back on track."

Cardiff Devils, in second place in the league, face a more hectic fixture list in their remaining games.

Could that harm their chances?

"You never know. Sometimes teams get in a rhythm and its easier, sometimes they get in a drought and its tougher" said the 36 year old skater.

"Right now our focus is now on ourselves and trying to get ourselves back to the team we know we are."