Whistle Injury an Additional Headache for the Steelers Boss
Aaron Fox has called on his Steelers side to raise their urgency and maintain their intensity after Sunday’s 2-1 overtime defeat in Fife.
The result followed Saturday’s overtime loss to the Flyers at the Arena, leaving Sheffield with two points from the weekend — a return Fox admitted felt difficult to accept.
“It’s funny because you get a two-point weekend and it feels like a zero-point weekend,” he said.
“Even though it’s basically the same as going one and one, we’re four games in and have got 50 games left. I think the desperation and urgency in our group needs to be amplified.”
Fox felt there were encouraging spells in Sunday’s performance, particularly at the start, but wants his players to respond better when chances go begging or events turn against them.
“First off, there were moments in that game where we did a lot of things right,” he said.
“We started the game really, really well tonight. High intensity, urgency, desperate.”
The challenge, he believes, is sustaining that approach through difficult moments rather than allowing frustration to affect the next shift.
Fox pointed to breakaways and two-on-one opportunities which ended without a shot as Sheffield struggled to turn promising situations into goals.
“As a group right now, when things aren’t going well, it’s really hard to dig your way out of it,” he said.
“You get a chance one way, but you don’t take it. You feel like the wind comes out of your sail a little bit, and then body language dies.”
Fox wants his side to retain the energy they showed early in the game and take responsibility for finding a way through those spells.
“A couple of things go the wrong way and it’s feeling sorry for yourself or pointing fingers,” he said. “Guys have got to do some soul-searching.”
There was praise for Matt Greenfield, who was named Steelers’ man of the match on Sunday after another strong performance in goal.
“Greener was himself,” said Fox. “He played really well both nights.”
The weekend also added to Sheffield’s injury concerns. Fox revealed that Brandon Whistle had left Sunday’s game early, with the initial outlook worrying.
Whistle leaves the Game in the 2nd Period
“Obviously, we lost Wiss early. It looks not good at all. Probably long term,” he said. “But no excuses there.”
With Dowdy and Whistle missing, Fox also confirmed that two defencemen were playing through significant injuries. Despite those difficulties, he insisted the demands on the group remain high.
“We’ve got some guys banged up,” he said. “But that’s this league.
“You have to realise this is playoff hockey right now, which I know is hard for some to wrap their head around, being new to the league. But that’s our standard, and that’s what we’re shooting for.”
Fox also acknowledged the coaching staff’s role in helping the players meet that standard.
“We’ve got to do a better job as coaches to get them prepared for that,” he said.
With much of the league campaign still ahead, the Steelers coach is looking for a response built on the intensity his side have already shown and the determination to sustain it when games become difficult.