Steelers in driving seat for final league run in, points-provider Michael Davies says

Michael Davies, one of the players who have stepped up at Sheffield Steelers

At a time when Steelers have been ravished by injuries, he has responded with livewire performances and success around the net.

In the first 25 games for his new club, he scored eight goals.

That period included a barren seven-match streak. But in his last 16 games which followed, he has found the net 12 times and added 11 assists.

That haul has helped Aaron Fox's side stay the top of the EIHL.

So when The Star asked him whether injuries to Anthony DeLuca - who underwent an MRI scan on Wednesday - and Robert Dowd could potentially see the team run out of steam, he was adamant.

"Not really. It is the most injuries I have ever seen on a team. But we work so hard, we push each other every single day, some of the injuries you cannot control, they happen, that's life," said the American.

"You definitely cannot replace Dowdy or DeLuca but everyone has got to step up and give a little more. What we can control as a team is getting ready to go every single day."

As for his own specific contribution, he says: "I haven't played centre in several years, it took me a little bit just to get used to the timing and everything, now I am kind of rolling."

It took him and others a while to adapt to the style of the league, but now they were on song, he said.

"Right now I feel comfortable out there, I like where we are. This team battles every single night and we score in bunches. It is fun to see and its fun to play with."

With 16 league games left, Davies feel confident Sheffield can mount a strong final run-in.

"I feel like we are in the driver's seat. Cardiff are a good team; they have games in hand but at the same time they have got to win those games. I like the position we are in, keep battling, work hard every night."

The skater has been impressed by the sight of James Bettauer playing as a make shift winger.

It was good how he sees the ice and way he plays generally, said Davies, 33, a former Chicago Wolves player.

"Usually, offensive defencemen don't really have an issue jumping up on forward I think it's fine for us, I don't think anyone is going to lose a beat."