Leeds Chiefs hoping boost in numbers can kick-start playoff push

Of course, they are not the only NIHL National team to have been left short on bodies this season, but you would be hard pressed to find a divisional rival who has had to endure it for quite so long.

Slowly but surely, however, that is changing.

Last night's announcement that former Solway Sharks forward Connor Henderson was having a reunion with five of his former team-mates from North of the border down in West Yorkshire was the latest slice of good news to befall the Chiefs.

Clearly the best piece of recent news was an opening date for the new Elland Road rink - less than two weeks now - while the overdue restoration to the roster of a second import in the shape of Patrick Valcak has been a further shot in the arm.

The countdown to opening night in Leeds is creating a small buzz around both the city and within the Chiefs' camp, with Zajac hoping his gradually replenished squad - only defenceman Bobby Streetly is missing through injury - can begin to benefit from an unaccustomed strength in depth.

The addition of Henderson, plus the return of winger Ethan Hehir from international duty with Great Britain Under-20s offers Zajac the rare luxury of being able to roll three full forward lines for the first time in weeks.

"Having more bodies around, just helps take that tiredness excuse away," said Zajac, whose team will look to avenge a 9-2 defeat back in December at the hands of today's opponents Peterborough Phantoms.

"It is tough when you’re short on bodies, it’s a mental thing really because you can get through the games physically, but you can start with the mental lapses when you are fatigued.

"So we’re looking to roll all three lines and, hopefully, that will mean we’re all that bit fresher.

"We’d still like to add one or two more bodies before the end of the month, we’ve still got some room in the budget to do that but it’s all about finding the right guys.

"We’d love nothing more than to have 10-11 forwards and 6-7 d-men - it creates that extra competition as well as providing that security when you do get those injuries and niggles that are part and parcel of any team's season."

Zajac admitted a number of players had been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks, something which re enforced his belief in their collective strength of character.

"Guys are playing hurt and it’s a great testament to them because there is no other alternative," added Zajac.

"If guys weren't willing to play banged up then we’d be down to five forwards and three D. So it says a lot about the character of our group, but it's another reason why we’d just like to get a couple more guys in to alleviate that pressure for the run-in."

While extra legs are being welcomed among the forward lines, the Chiefs are also boosted at the back end due to the steady return to full fitness of veteran Steven Duncombe.

Having sat out most of the Christmas and New Year period, the 34-year-old has slowly built up his ice time in recent games and is expected to step it up further in Peterborough today and during tomorrow's trip to leaders Telford Tigers.

"Duncs played a bigger role last week and we’ll be looking for him to step it up even more this weekend," added Zajac.

"These are two very, very tough games. Peterborough is always a difficult place to play as is Telford, so we need everybody going and Duncs's continued recovery again just helps alleviate that pressure on the other D-men."