SHEFFIELD, U.K.- The playoff semi-final, held in Coventry, between the Sheffield Steeldogs and local rivals, Manchester Phoenix, promised to be an action packed game.
The Steeldogs wasted no time in taking the initiative in this feisty match. At 8:14, Lloyd Gibson fired the puck past the Phoenix netminder, Stephen Fone. Sheffield’s lead didn’t last long, however, as Manchester’s Stephen Wallace equalised at 10:34.
Steeldogs’ Ashley Calvert was given a game penalty at 12:15 after a collision with Manchester’s Ladislav Harabin. Calvert was initially handed a match penalty for drawing blood, however, as Harabin returned after his injury, the penalty was reduced to a game.
As a result of this penalty, a relentless 5 minute powerplay for the Phoenix ensued. Manchester’s James Archer gave his team the lead at 14:52. Their lead was increased further with a goal at 17:12 through Slovakian forward, Martin Cingel.
The first period ended with the Steeldogs trailing 3-1.
Edgars Bebris brought Sheffield to within one goal, 5 minutes into the second period and things began to look hopeful for the Steeldogs as they found themselves on a 5 on 3 powerplay. The Steeldogs, however, could not convert on the powerplay.
The Steeldogs onslaught was soon squandered at 32:55 as Ciaran Long restored Manchester’s two goal lead.
At the end of the second, players from both sides had little scuffles after Sheffield’s Lee Haywood received a two-handed slash to the back of his legs. Several players were given roughing penalties.
With the score at 4-2 to the Phoenix, the Sheffield Steeldogs needed a strong period to get them back into the game. It didn’t look hopeful for the Steeldogs, however, as Archer claimed his second goal of the night for the Phoenix at 44:29 on the powerplay to make it 5-2.
Steeldogs’ player/coach, Andre Payette, remained defiant and determined to lead his team to victory. At 53:13, Payette fired home to make it 5-3. Just 22 seconds later, Ben Morgan’s blue line shot found the back the net to bring Sheffield back to within one.
With just 50 seconds left on the clock, Ben Morgan claimed his second goal of the night, sending both teams into overtime with the score, 5-5.
Neither team could find the winning goal in what was a tense, evenly contested overtime period. The game had to then be decided on penalties. 
Steeldogs’ Janis Ozolins fired home the first penalty shot, and Juraj Faith returned the favour for the Phoenix. Penalties then went to sudden death. Manchester’s Stephen Wallace found the winning goal to send them into the play-off final.
With the Slough Jets defeating the League and EPL Cup Champions, Guildford Flames, the Jets and the Phoenix battled it out on Sunday, Apr. 15. After dominating proceedings, the Jets beat the Phoenix 4-1 to claim the play-off trophy.
Contact the author at ryan.laycock@prohockeynews.com
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