SHEFFIELD, UK – The Sheffield Steelers opened the new 2009/10 season in emphatic style, by beating arch rivals the Nottingham Panthers in the Charity Shield, in front of 6,500 fans. Nottingham went 2-0 up after four minutes with goals from Sean McAslan and player-coach Corey Neilson. Steelers then levelled with two quick goals from Jonathan Phillips and Brad Cruikshank. Ex-NHLâer Cameron Mann scored for the home side, before Scott Basiuk and Jeff Hutchins both scored powerplay markers to put the game 5-3 in the Steelers favour. Sean McAslan bagged another three goals in a frantic five-minute spell, taking his tally to four on the night, and 6-5 in the Panthers favour. The âBritish Bulldogâ Jason Hewitt scored the vital equaliser for Sheffield to ensure the game would go into overtime. The score remained level after overtime, and it was Jeff Hutchins who netted the winning goal after three rounds of penalty shots. Sheffield Steelers Head Coach Dave Matsos spoke after the game, and had words of praise for Jeff Hutchins, who sealed the win with his decisive penalty shot. “I thought overall Hutchy had a great game tonight, he won some important face offs, worked hard all night and deserved his bit of glory at the end scoring the wining penalty shot. I have been very pleased with him since he arrived, he has good work ethic and seems to have fitted in just well, especially with Jono (Jonathan Phillips) and Hewey (Jason Hewitt) on that unit we have put together. All three of them scored last night in regular play which is good to see.â Sheffield started their elite league campaign at home to last yearâs runners up the Coventry Blaze. However, it was the Blaze who travelled back to the Midlands with a smile on their faces after a 3-1 road win. Great Britain international Greg Owen bagged a hat trick for the Blaze, whilst Jeff Legue scored a late consolation for the Steelers. Sheffield Steelers Head Coach Dave Matsos spoke after the disappointing defeat, “It certainly wasn’t our best game we played tonight. In fact we played much better in our exhibition games. I guess the one thing to take away was that we didn’t play well and were still tied 1-1 with 5 minutes to go. We have at least another two gears to go. We are a lot better than what we showed this evening thatâs for sure.” Sheffield then faced the Belfast Giants in back-to-back games on the 12-13th of September. The first game was at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast where Steelers were the victors winning 3-2 after penalty shots. Sheffield were out shot by the hosts 30-22, but clinical finishing from Joey Talbot, Jeff Legue, and Scott Basiuk was the difference, to ensure that the Steelers went home with the two points. Tim Cook, and Pierre-Luc Faubert were on the scoresheet for the Giants. Belfast travelled to South Yorkshire 24 hours later looking to avenge the previous evenings defeat, and they did just that, by beating an under-par Steelers team 4-2. Giants scored first in the second period from defenceman Tim Cook. Steelers had a resurgence when Joey Talbot and Rod Sarich put the hosts ahead for the first time in the game. A fight between Pat Bateman (Giants) and Scott Basiuk (Steelers) seemed to have fired the visitors up as they scored three times in the final three minutes of the game to shatter Steelers hopes of winning the game. Goals came from Evan Cheverie, Craig Peacock, and Colin Shields. Sheffield next face the Cardiff Devils in a double header weekend, which will almost certainly be a feisty encounter if previous seasons games are to go by. Contact the author Scott.Antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.