SHEFFIELD, U.K.- The Sheffield Steeldogs secured 3 points last weekend after travelling to Basingstoke on Saturday Mar.24, before returning home for the weekend’s home fixture against the Bison on Sunday Mar.25.
The Steeldogs dominated proceedings in Basingstoke with a resounding 6-2 victory. The next day, however, the Steeldogs poor finishing cost them a point as Basingstoke capitalised and secured a 2-1 win after OT and penalties.
On Saturday Mar. 24, it was Basingstoke who started the better of the two sides as forward, Steve Moria, opened the scoring at 3:55. It wasn’t long until the Steeldogs replied with a goal of their own. Pavel Gomemiuk found a Steeldogs equaliser on the powerplay at 8:36.
Moments later, Steeldogs leading point and goal scorer, Janis Ozolins, put Sheffield into the lead with a goal at 9:15. Ben Morgan increased the Steeldogs lead to two minutes later with another powerplay goal at 12:54. The first period ended 3-1 to the Steeldogs.
The travelling Steeldogs fans saw a quiet second period with little to cheer about. The Steeldogs allowed the fired up Bison back into the game at 34:15 as Steve Moria claimed his second of the night to make it 3-2. Despite many chances for both teams, neither side could add further to the scoreline.
The second period was a wake-up call to the content Steeldogs, who returned for the third period energised. At 44:31, Ashley Calvert made it 4-2 to the Steeldogs. Minutes later, Ozolins claimed his second of the night with a shorthanded goal at 47:25 to put the Steeldogs up by three.
Ozolins put the game beyond all doubt at 55:05, securing the win for the Steeldogs and claiming his hat-trick goal in the process.
The game ended 6-2 to the travelling Steeldogs. Janis Ozolins was awarded MOTM for his superb performance and hat-trick.
In contrast to Saturday’s game, the Sheffield Steeldogs seemed to take the foot off the gas in this home tie against the Basingstoke Bison on Sunday Mar. 25.
After a delayed face-off due to a faulty net, the first period was underway. The home fans saw a quiet first period dominated by the Bison. Despite Basingstoke recording 18 shots on net in the first, and the Steeldogs recording 6, neither side could find a way past the opposing netminders. The score remained goalless at the end of the first.
The Steeldogs upped the ante in the second period. At 35:41, Lloyd Gibson found some space in front the Bison net and managed to capitalise on Ozolins perfect pass from behind the net to make it 1-0 to the Steeldogs.
The lead didn’t last long, however, as Basingstoke’s Moria equalised 5 minutes into the third period at 45:26. After an even third in terms of puck possession and goal scoring chances, the period ended 1-1, sending the game into OT.
Tough weekend for the Steeldogs against the Bison (Picture Courtesy of the Sheffield Steeldogs)
Neither side managed to break the deadlock in OT so the game was to be decided on penalties. After 5 missed penalties for each team, Bisons Liam Chong scored the decisive penalty shot to give Basingstoke the victory.
The game ended 2-1 to the Basingstoke Bison after OT and penalties. Lloyd Gibson was given the MOTM award for his goal and efforts.
The Steeldogs travel to Guildford next for the second leg of the final of the EPL Cup on Mar.28. The Sheffield side then face a tough weekend at home to Bracknell on Saturday Mar.31 before facing Guildford away on Apr. 1.
Contact the author at ryan.laycock@prohockeynews.com
