Why league glory isn't enough for Sheffield Steelers' Michael Davies

The Sheffield centre is determined to collar the Challenge Cup and Play Off trophies too!

If there is a more optimistic player in the Steelers' camp than Davies, it would come as a surprise to most fans.

The American skater has tunnel vision when it comes to analysing the EIHL run-in.

He has already mentally adopted a hostile, Play Off mode and you get the impression he doesn't even like saying the name of opposing teams.

And that's despite the fact that Nottingham Panthers can do his team a favour if they beat Cardiff Devils, at home, on Saturday.

"I really don't care what's going on in other games. We have to focus on ourselves," said the forward.

"That's the big thing. Cardiff, Nottingham? Whatever happens...happens. We just need to win our games and worry about ourselves."

He said Cardiff, who are most people's title favourites, still had to win their three games in hand.

"We are in first (position) right now. I don't really care what Cardiff are doing outside of our game.

"We have to play them twice and I think it will come down to whoever is the most consistent. And whoever doesn't beat themselves. I want all three cups!"

Davies felt his team did what was necessary to overcome a recent slump in form and in doing so heed the coach's 'do-or-die' mission call.

"Everyone dug deep; it was just a matter of the little details, taking advantage of our opportunities as well and keeping it simple."

All the players had been acutely aware what was needed to get maximum points last weekend against Nottingham Panthers and Belfast Giants, he added.

That improving form must now be carried forward to Saturday's home game with Fife Flyers and Sunday's trip to Guildford Flames.

Maximum points - again - will be essential.

Davies thinks his present line with Anthony DeLuca and Lucas Sandstrom has "a little bit of everything."

But the former Chicago Wolves and Augsburger Panther skater said it was the overall pursuit of chemistry between all players that had led to the recent resurgence.

The 33-year-old forward also paid tribute to evergreen goaltender Tomas Duba, for making timely saves in big matches during the pursuit of silverware.

*Fife will bring the EIHL's Player of the Week to the Arena on Saturday - Paul Crowder.

He has just scored twice against Cardiff and the game-winner against Manchester Storm.

Flyers recently a new club record for their longest run of defeats in the EIHL era.

"It was definitely hard in the locker room during that skid, you could see it on everyone's faces. We didn't know what to do, we tried everything but it didn't seem to work," said Crowder. "But we were finally able to find a way to get a win under our belts and it lifted everyone's spirits."