Paul Thompson's side are the defending champions (Mark Tredgold)

Coventry Blaze coach Paul Thompson has admitted that his players were left hurting by Sunday's 2-1 defeat at home to Sheffield Steelers.

Elite League leaders Steelers stretched their advantage to 12 points over Blaze, who have three games in hand.

And Thompson admitted: "The room was dead. I left, went back in 15 minutes later and not a single guy had moved.

"Their heads were in their hands and that's the reaction I want," Thompson told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.

Coventry have slumped to fourth in the league and next turn their attention to the Challenge Cup.

They travel to Belfast on Wednesday night (4 February, 1930 GMT) for the second leg of their semi-final with the tie level at 1-1

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