Sheffield Steelers’ Head Coach Paul Thompson has hailed the positive effect new signing Guillaume Desbiens has had on his team.

The Canadian forward joined Sheffield at the end of November, sparking a run of six wins in seven games to haul the Yorkshire club back into the Elite League title race.

Last week’s victories against Edinburgh Capitals, Fife Flyers and Belfast Giants moved Thompson’s team up to third in the table, four points behind leaders with a game in hand.

Thompson admitted he was delighted with the six-point week: “I thought we played a great road game in Fife,” he said. “It wasn’t flashy but I felt we played an intelligent road game, very smart.

“We nullified them and kept a lot of their opportunities to the outside.

“The game against Belfast was a tight one – against a very good club. You need that second goal and it was a lovely execution, from Roy to Leggy (Legue) and then Dessy (Desbiens) was on the spot and he’s made a big impact since he came in. I’m really, really happy with him.

“He goes to the dirty areas, he does the little things and he gets low net presence, finishes his hits and he does whatever it takes to win a game and he’s been a huge find for us.

“When you’ve got guys like him and Fitzy (Fitzgerald) that do whatever they need to do to help the team win that’s always a positive.

“I think Pinc is getting stronger in the nets too. Our ‘D’ are now dictating the play in front of him and our transition is really strong.

“It sets us up nicely for a big night in Braehead on Saturday, then back here on Sunday against Coventry.”

(Image permission: Dean Woolley)