Pouts are out for Sheffield Steelers as league programme ends

Sheffield Steelers are not going to sulk as the League season ends this weekend.
Anders FranzonAnders Franzon
Anders Franzon

They are going to re-focus, overcome injury issues and get stuck into the Play Offs.

That’s the view of defenceman Anders Franzon, who feels his side can quickly re-build from the ashes of conceding the League championship to Cardiff Devils.

Anders Franzon, Sheffield Steelers defenceman holds off a Dundee challengerAnders Franzon, Sheffield Steelers defenceman holds off a Dundee challenger
Anders Franzon, Sheffield Steelers defenceman holds off a Dundee challenger

“You always want to win and get first place and it is tough when you don’t win it” said the 28-year-old. “But it is important to be able to move on to the next thing.

“I haven’t won a title before so it would be really nice to finish the season with the Play Offs.

“I look forward to playing Nottingham (if confirmed) facing them makes it even more special.”

Steelers play their last away league game, at Nottingham tonight and Franzon says: “We want to leave a message that we are going in at full throttle.”

Anders Franzon clashes with Nottingham's Jeff BrownAnders Franzon clashes with Nottingham's Jeff Brown
Anders Franzon clashes with Nottingham's Jeff Brown

Sheffield host Coventry Blaze on Sunday - their first away win of the season against that opposition saw goals from for Tyler Mosienko, Christoffer Bjorklund and Jesse Schultz, all of whom later departed. Franzon admitted a team’s rhythm is sometimes disturbed by the loss of players, but said: “The team has changed a lot but it happens everywhere. Every team goes through it; you just have to go with the guys you’ve got. It is nothing new to us - we will just do our thing.”

Steelers have had to go without several senior players recently, but Franzon says injuries were also a normal occurrence.

“We just have to focus our energy on playing well in the play offs. We have to get something out of this year and not really care about things that have happened in the past. There is nothing we can do about it, we are not going to sit here and pout.”

Next year the 6ft 3ins blueliner hopes to return, saying “Sheffield is an awesome place to play and the fans are great - there is nothing to dislike.”