Sheffield dipped 4-1 tonight to SHL giants Timra.
They had five players out - and then lost Brandon Whistle to a puck on the foot injury.
He has gone to hospital for an x-ray.
Thompson said he was “overjoyed” the effort of his undermanned side against such quality teams as Timra and Leksands.
“I thought we battled and battled it was 1-1 game, they scored three power players - they are a good team and we are a tired group” he said.
“It was three lines against four lines, our boys really did show a lot of commitment.”
He said EIHL teams cannot compete with the numbers of skilled players Swedish teams have at their disposal.
“But I loved our fight” he said.