Matsos defends Steelers' dismissed duo

His side saw skipper Jonathan Phillips and winger Ryan Finnerty kicked out of the game at Edinburgh Capitals when the team would have been better served by them trying to find an equaliser in the eventual 2-1 loss.

And Ashley Tait was ruled out of an injury-hit side which lost two valuable league points at Coventry Blaze, after being suspended for a slash in the previous game against Cardiff Devils' Brad Voth.

But Matsos defended his side, saying he understood why the individuals involved blew their tops.

"Moray Hanson (the referee) was terrible in Edinburgh, he sucked the life out of us.

"Ryan just got frustrated, and that happens. What happened to Jonno was a joke.

"He is allowed to speak to the referee, but Moray warned him to 'get out of here.' So he turned and skated away - but a linesman then got involved and Jonno told him where to go. The linesman - who looked like a kid - then acted like a high school boy and went and told the ref. Jonno couldn't believe it.

"As far as Ash is concerned, he saw a team-mate (Steve Munn) being hacked and whacked and I appreciate him sticking up for him. I am not promoting slashing, but I understand why he did it."

Matsos added he did not feel there was any underlying trend of needless bad behaviour resulting in too many short-handed sessions.

"We don't go into games with that intention. And if you tell people like Finnerty that you don't want any fighting because we are short then he listens to what you say."

Steelers host Hull Stingrays for the first time this season tomorrow and says Matsos: "They are a hard working team who show up to do a job. This is going to be a tough weekend...they all are."