Steeler Finnerty backs new rules

Finnerty is starting his third season with the Steelers

Sheffield Steelers forward Ryan Finnerty feels a change in the Elite League officiating will help the Steelers style of play.

The new season will see two referees and two linesmen for each game, emulating the National Hockey League.

Finnerty believes having an extra pair of eyes should suit the Steelers.

"I hope they do call it tight because we are a skating team and if they call it like we expect we will then be able to capitalise on the power play."

The 27-year-old Canadian scored 20 goals for the Steelers last season and feels that the team's extended training camp will help them have success this term.

"It's a great challenge for us, it's tough for anybody just to jump in and play, [Nathan] Gillies arrived just minutes before the game.

"There are so many elements to the game, you can bring you skating but your hands aren't there and you can bring your physical play and your skating isn't. It's like anything - if you take a few months off you get a little rusty."