SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers continued their impressive start to the season with another two crucial victories ensuring that they are joint second in the league standings with arch rivals the Nottingham Panthers, even though they have played three games less.
Steelers with another two crucial wins over the weekend
Sheffield first took to the ice on Saturday when they hosted the Dundee Stars. The fans in Sheffield left entertained after a 13-goal thriller, with Sheffield taking the honours with an 8-5 victory.
Former-Steeler Jeff Hutchins got the visitors off to the perfect start when he netted a goalmouth scramble at 5:29 to make it 1-0.
The Stars’ players celebrations were short lived, as Steelers debutant R.G. Flath endeared himself to the Steelers fans when he netted his first goal just 20 seconds after Hutchins’s opener to make it 1-1.
Dundee dispelled any rumours of the players having ‘bus legs’ when John Dolan netted a brace of goals to see the period out, and to give his team an impressive 3-1 lead going into the break.
Sheffield came out stronger in the second, as they staged somewhat of a comeback, with Rod Sarich firing home at 22:57 after a good pass from Ashley Tait.
Dundee were determined not to be upstaged, with Chris Zarb netting an unassisted goal just 12 seconds after Sarich’s marker to make it 4-2 in his teams favour.
Steelers new boy R.G. Flath who already was impressing early on with his high energy and solid work ethic, gave the home fans something to cheer about when he calmly fired home a goal at 26:28 to put pressure on the Stars.
No further scoring followed in the second stanza with Sheffield now gathering momentum for a crucial third and final period.
There was only 35 seconds of the third period played when Steelers workhorse Lee Esders netted his third goal of the season at 40:35 to tie the game up at 4-4.
Just over a minute later Sheffield went ahead for the first time in the game thanks to Steelers tough guy Colt King after a smart play from linemate Jason Hewitt to make it 5-4 to the hosts.
At 45:50 came a moment of brilliance, with silky smooth defenceman Rod Sarich skating rings through the Dundee defence and roofing a rare backhand goal on the powerplay, leaving all in attendance astounded at the fine goal.
Dundee Captain Brent Hughes brought the game to within one at 49:28 as he fired high past John DeCaro in the Steelers goal, making it 6-5.
Dundee pressed looking for an all-important equaliser, but it wasn’t to come. It was Sheffield who put the game to bed with powerplay markers from Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty and Colt King to claim and 8-5 victory and the all-important two points.
Steelers new boy R.G. Flath nets two goals on his debut (image courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
The Steelers then travelled to the Midlands 24 hours later to take on the Coventry Blaze at the Skydome Arena.
Both teams came out strong and despite having 15 shots apiece in the first period, neither team could convert. Colt King took exception to Bryan Jurynec having an extra dig at the puck after Steelers goaltender John DeCaro covered it up. King sent an offer to Jurynec, who duly obliged, with the Steelers pugilist claiming honours in the bout.
Sheffield got their lifeline at 26:03 with the ‘British Bulldog’ Jason Hewitt netting the opening goal after a good feed from Colt King finding Hewitt in space, who made no mistake in slotting home to make it 1-0.
Sheffield out shot the hosts 13-6 in the second period, but couldn’t find a way past Danish international netminder Peter Hirsch in the Blaze goal.
Coventry came out stronger in the final period, but Sheffield executed a great ‘road game’ and kept the Blaze’s chances to the outside. Sheffield’s much scrutinised defensive corps earned their dues with a fine display of ‘shut-down’ hockey.
Steelers stand in Captain Jeff Legue fired home his team’s second and final goal at 45:57 ensuring a 2-0 victory and a valuable two points in their quest to defend their EIHL title.
Sheffield goaltender John DeCaro secured his third shutout of the season, claiming the Man of the Match award after turning away 38 shots.
Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty shared his thoughts after the game. “That was the best we have played all season. Every player bought in and did their job. I thought we played hard for 60 minutes at the level we showed we had in the second half of the game against Dundee. If we continue to play like this then we will win a lot of games,” Finnerty said. “I guess it was the perfect road game for us. We knew Coventry would come out hard at home, they always do. Whilst they had most of the puck possession in the first period they didn’t create a huge amount. We stood up to their attack well and kept most things to the outside. John DeCaro made the big stops when required and we went into the dressing 0-0 at the end of the first. I was more than happy with that,” Finnerty continued.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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