NOTTINGHAM, UK – The 2015 Elite League Play Off Final got underway shortly after 4pm with the league champions the Sheffield Steelers taking on the plucky Coventry Blaze who had overcome the Belfast Giants on penalty shots the previous day.
The game started at a high pace with both sides looking to grabs the game’s opening goal and the Blaze broke the deadlock just 3 minutes into the final when Steve Goertzen found the back of the net from close range after a goalmouth scramble. Coventry were continually troubling the Sheffield defence during the opening exchanges of the game however Steelers netminder Josh Unice was able to turn all of the other Blaze efforts away.
Towards the end of the opening stanza Sheffield got the first powerplay opportunity of the game when Michael Forney had 2 superb chances to tie up the scores when he was found in space at the back post however the import forward was unable to capitalise and Coventry held a narrow 1-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes of hockey.
The Blaze begin the 2nd session of play positively and Coventry extended their lead just 29 seconds into the middle stanza when Jereme Tendler finished from close range after some precise build up play from his linemates O’Marra and Goertzen. A lapse in concentration from Sheffield’s d man Mark Thomas saw Ross Venus go 1 on 1 with Sheffield goalie Unice and the young British winger made no mistake and fired Coventry 3-0 up with 29 minutes played.
Steelers Coach Gerad Adams quickly called a time out so his side could regroup however this tactic didn’t pay off for Sheffield as former Steeler Ashley Tait made it 4-0 to Blaze just over a minute later with an unassisted marker from close range. Sheffield were creating plenty of their own chances however Coventry netminder Brain Stewart was equal to everything that came his way during the opening 2 periods of action.
Sheffield started the 3rd period shorthanded as Jason Hewitt was given a 2 minute penalty for roughing following a feisty end to the 2nd session of play. Steelers killed off the Blaze powerplay and were soon back in the game when Roy fired home into an empty net with Blaze goaltender Stewart retrieving his stick out to the left of his goal after a coming together between the goalie and Steelers players.
Sheffield and their fans were visibly lifted and Roy struck again after 46 minutes of play when he grabbed a short handed effort. Sheffield were now looking dangerous every time they got into the Coventry zone however Blaze netminder Brain Stewart was equal to everything that was thrown at him despite Steelers trying to unnerve the talented goaltender. Stewart was deservedly chosen as Blaze’s Man of the Match for an exemplary display of goaltending while the industrious Tyler Mosienko was the Steelers Man of the Match.
Much credit must be given to Coventry Head Coach Chuck Weber and all Blaze staff and players as just a few short months ago Coventry sat in 9th position in the Elite League and it appeared they might struggle to qualify for the play offs never mind making it all the way to Finals weekend and walk away with the Play Off Trophy.
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