Video - Sam Gospel happy with progress being made by Leeds Chiefs

That situation has left the Chiefs with limited ice time in between weekends, with just one practise session per week possible over the Pennines in Blackburn.

But Gospel said such adversity had only brought the players assembled by player-coach Zajac in the summer closer together.

"I’m probably the most southern-based guy in the room but we became a really tight-knit group very quickly," "The circumstances that we found ourselves in has bonded us quicker, we are working together, working hard - it’s a good group to be a part of.

"We’re making good progress. We work really hard in the time that we do get on the ice and it was really nice to go back to Ice Sheffield and put something together.

"But, yes, we are a lot fitter now and there is a lot more chemistry and cohesion - we’re all chipping in and buying in."

On his performance on Friday against the Steeldogs - which saw him turn away 54 of 56 shots on goal - Gospel was quick to try and share the responsbility for what was, in parts, a backs-to-the-wall win.

"It’s always nice when you can get into a groove and make things happen," added Gospel. "It is a team effort, the boys have all bought in, there were plenty of blocked shots and they helped me out, so it is nice when that happens. I thoroughly enjoyed that game, it was a lot of fun."

Gospel said Friday night's win was another small step for the Chiefs in their bid to make themselves a genuine play-off contender in their first-ever season.

"A win like this is always great. We’re all having a good time and slowly chipping away at those guys above us," he said. "We feel that we can catch them now and if we can get those points on Sunday that puts us right back in the mix."