Steeldogs through to the Playoff Semi-Finals

SHEFFIELD, U.K.- The Sheffield Steeldogs’ hard work and determination paid off as they beat the Basingstoke Bison 4-2 (on agg), in what was a tough, well fought bout between the two sides.   The Steeldogs took the advantage in the away leg of the playoff quarter final on Apr. 7 with a 2-1 victory. The Sheffield side returned to IceSheffield on Apr. 8 for the home leg of the weekend, needing only a draw to send them through to the semi-finals. The Steeldogs secured a 2-1 win to send them to Coventry for the playoff finals.   Sheffield started the stronger of the two sides on Apr. 7, opening the scoring through Craig Elliott after just 2:27. However, it wasn’t long until Basingstoke evened the scoring. A goal from Jacob Heron at 8:02 tied the game 1-1. The Steeldogs quickly replied to retake the lead with Steve Duncombe’s powerplay goal at 9:39 putting the Steeldogs 2-1 up heading into the second period.   The travelling Sheffield fans saw their side dominated during the second and third periods by the resilient Bison. In an effort to fire up his team, Sheffield’s Ashley Calvert went toe-to-toe with Kurt Reynolds during a feisty second period.   At 59:05, a heavy hit to the head from Basingstokes, Chris Wiggins, on Lee Haywood sparked a brawl between numerous players for both sides.   Despite dominating possession and shots on goal, Basingstoke could not find an equalising goal past Ben Bowns, who was in dazzling form. Bowns shutout 35 shots in the final two periods and saved a total of 55 out of 56 shots in the match.   The game finished 2-1 to the Sheffield Steeldogs. Ben Bowns was awarded the MOTM after a superb performance.   With Sheffield taking the advantage in the first leg, both sides travelled to IceSheffield, the home of the Steeldogs, for the second leg of the quarter-final. A draw would have been enough to send the Steeldogs into the semi-finals in Coventry.   The Steeldogs, once again, took an early lead through Pavel Gomeniuk. The Ukrainian defenceman darted through the Bison defence and slotted the puck past Basingstoke netminder, Steven Wall, on the powerplay to put the Steeldogs up, 1-0.   At 13:27, Steeldogs player/coach, Andre Payette, had a powerplay goal disallowed due to a broken stick. Moments later at 14:45, the Steeldogs were denied yet another goal disallowed. Ben Morgan’s shot seemed to have crossed the line, yet officials waved it off.   Basingstoke then managed to capitalise on the powerplay through Steve Moria at 17:34 to level the scoring.

  Both teams headed to the dressing rooms after an eventful, hard-fought first period with the score even, at 1-1.   The two teams kept up the feisty intensity in the second period. Both Sheffield and Basingstoke recorded similar amounts of shots on goal and equal possession, yet neither side could find a way past the opposition netminders.   The second period action came late in the period at 38:14 when Gomeniuk and Wiggins traded blows. Payette rushed in to aid the Ukrainian defenceman, stepping in to fight Wiggins. Payette was given a game misconduct for third man in. Calvert also went toe-to-toe with the Bison’s, Marcel Petran, in what was a great, even fight.   With no scoring in the second, the score remained level, at 1-1.   The home fans saw a tense, end-to-end final period with Basingstoke upping the intensity in the search for a game winning goal. However, at 50:15, Gomeniuk scored his second of the night with a rocket slap shot rebounding in off the crossbar.    Basingstoke’s Joe Miller was given a 10-minute misconduct penalty at 59:36 after an altercation with the Steeldogs bench.   The game ended 2-1 to the Sheffield Steeldogs. Gomeniuk was given the MOTM award after a terrific performance and two goals.   With a 4-2 (on agg) score for the weekend, the Steeldogs claimed their place in the playoff semi-finals in Coventry where they will play arch rivals, Manchester Phoenix, on Apr. 14 for a place in the playoff final.   Contact the author at ryan.laycock@prohockeynews.com