Coventry Blaze coach Danny Stewart said that his side were out worked and out skated during their 9-5 defeat away to the Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night.
Stewart told the Blaze website: "We got out-worked and out-skated too often tonight.
"We played scared and we played as individuals.
"There were way too many mistakes.
"I need a bounce back from every guy in that room tomorrow night because tonight was unacceptable!"