Neilson attack 'actions of deranged man'

The British defenceman was injured after checking Nottingham defenseman Corey Neilson in the second period of Saturday's 2-1 Steelers' win.

After the hit, Neilson jumped on the back of the Steeler, apparently trying to punch him and ram him into the ice. Said Thomas: "There was nothing wrong with the hit, it was a perfectly good one."

"The next thing I knew this deranged bloke was trying to take a piece out of me, he actually didn't hurt me at all, I was cut by my fall to the ice following the hit.

"Neilson was frustrated, his actions were those of a desperate man.

"He didn't mind taking a few shots at me but as we saw when Jeremy Cornish was on the ice none of the Panthers players wanted to know. Different season; but the same old Nottingham," said Thomas.

"I had a good old laugh when he got his come-uppance taking the final penalty that saw us win the game on that power play, I bet that kept him awake all night!"

Thomas believes the team "turned the corner" last weekend.

"I never thought we would lose the Nottingham game, they were devoid of ideas, we played a great road game, suffocated them and then took advantage on the final power play and won."

Sheffield

Scimitars, third in the English Premier League, follow up their succesful double-header at the Isle of Wight with a trip to Telford Tigers on Saturday, a team they have already hammered 8 - 3 and 9-2 this season. On Sunday they are at bottom club Romford Raiders.