SHEFFIELD,U.K.- Last weekend brought mixed home results for the Steeldogs. After beating league rivals, Manchester Phoenix, 2-1, the Sheffield side suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat against the Swindon Wildcats, bringing their home winning streak of 13 to an end.
On Saturday Mar.17, the Steeldogs were confident that they could claim the points in the last Sheffield-Manchester derby of the season.
The home fans saw a superb start from the Steeldogs in the first period. After just 1:05, Janis Ozolins slotted home his 50th goal of the season from the slot.
The Steeldogs continued to pile the pressure on the Manchester defence; dominating and controlling the first period. Edgars Bebris further increased the Steeldogs lead at 19:53 on a delayed penalty.
The Phoenix flew out of the changing rooms and looked fired up in the second period. At 21:38, a goal from Juraj Faith put the Phoenix within touching distance of the Steeldogs. The Sheffield side remained resilient and held on to their lead heading into the third period.
The third period saw a more closely contested 20 minutes with both sides enjoying good spells of puck possession and sharing the same amount of shots on net. The third period remained goalless.
After a good, solid performance by the Sheffield Steeldogs, the game ended 2-1. Edgars Bebris was given the MOTM award for his goal and great performance.
Sheffield Steeldogs player/coach, Andre Payette, would have hoped that Saturday’s derby win would spur his team on to claim victory against the Wildcats on Sunday Mar.18 to make it a four point weekend. It was not to be, however.
After just 5 minutes, Pavel Gomeniuk was thrown out of the game and given a controversial match penalty after a slashing call on Wildcat, Jonas Hoog. The penalty was reduced to a game penalty when Hoog recovered and rejoined the game.
Swindon failed to capitalise on the 5 minute powerplay as the Steeldogs regrouped and reorganised their defence. Both teams recorded good scoring chances in the first period, but neither side could find a way past the on-form netminders.
The Wildcats were the first on the scoreline at 24:17 after a goal from Paul Swindlehurst. Steve Duncombe promptly equalised for the Steeldogs with a powerful blueline slap shot.
Steve Duncombe awarded MOTM after a hard-working shift (Picture courtesy of the Sheffield Steeldogs)
Payette gave Sheffield the lead at 35:50 with a powerplay goal. The Steeldogs failed to hold their lead into the third as Aaron Nell equalised for Swindon moments before the buzzer.
At 52:53, Swindon’s Hoog gave the away side the lead. Hoog claimed his second of the night at 59:25 with an empty net goal.
The game ended 4-2. Steve Duncombe was awarded MOTM for the Steeldogs.
Andre Payette will be disappointed with the Sunday’s result against Swindon after performing so well against league rivals, Manchester Phoenix, the day before. The loss to Swindon also brought the Sheffield side’s 13 consecutive home winning streak to a close.
The Steeldogs now face a double-headed weekend against Basingstoke as they travel to the home of the Bison on Saturday Mar.24 before returning home to face Basingstoke at Ice Sheffield on Sunday Mar.25.
Contact the author at ryan.laycock@prohockeynews.com
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