SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers picked up three points out of a possible four on offer after a win over title rivals the Belfast Giants and a shootout loss against Coventry on Sunday.
The Steelers hosted the Belfast Giants on Saturday evening, a team they beat four days earlier 2-1, with the plaudits going to netminder Marek Pinc, who recently returned from a shoulder injury.
“Steelers captain Jonathan Phillips scores his teams first of the evening (Image courtesy of Dean Woolley)
The South Yorkshire side would once again come out on top with a score of 4-2 after a workmanlike performance.
The Steelers were boosted by the return of former NHL’er Guillaume Desbiens, who would go on to be a major factor in the teams’ win and slotted nicely on the top line alongside Mathieu Roy and Tyler Mosienko.
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Craig Peacock pounced on a loose puck after Ben O’Connor failed to clear the zone, Peacock went in 1-on-0 and backhanded low past Marek Pinc after just 12 seconds.
A shell-shocked Steelers re-grouped and offered a chance at 03:10 when Zack Fitzgerald one-timed a Cullen Eddy pass. Giants netminder Stephen Murphy was equal to the test with a low leg pad save.
Despite being on the wrong end of the scoreline, the Steelers pressured and chances came from Jonathan Phillips and Fredrik Vestberg in quick succession and a Jeff Legue slapshot striking the post moments later.
The hosts couldn’t find a way past former Great Britain international netminder Murphy, despite creating an array of chances, but simply weren’t clinical enough.
The Giants started the second period the better of the two teams and were gifted an early powerplay with Gui Desbiens sitting out a high sticking minor just 10 seconds into the period.
Veteran Giant James Desmarais came close at 21:20 when he one-timed an effort at the back post, forcing Czech netminder Marek Pinc into making a great diving save.
The Giants capitalised on the man advantage just 20 seconds later when recent addition David Rutherford fired a wrist shot from the point which struck the cross bar. Agitator Darryl Lloyd took full advantage of the rebound and slotted the puck home past Pinc to make it 2-0 at 21:41.
The Steelers had a host of chances mid-way through the second period and had the visitors on the backfoot after Rod Sarich and Fredrik Vestberg both went close with good efforts.
The pressure paid off when Captain Jonathan Phillips broke down the right wing, cut into the slot and fired short side past Muprhy with a neat solo effort to reduce the arrears to one at 35:49 shorthanded with Sarich sitting out a roughing minor.
The goal knocked any rhythm the Giants had, who never seemed to get back into the game after Phillips’s marker.
A confident and composed Steelers came out of the gates flying in the third period and soon equalised courtesy of Gui Desbiens who fired a sublime wristshot from the right wing slot low past Stephen Murphy at 42:18 after a neat pass from Jace Coyle to make it 2-2.
The Giants determined to regain their lead, came close at 44:36 after a goal mouth scramble which saw efforts from Kris Beech and former Steeler Mike Forney turned aside by an excellent Pinc.
Sheffield edged ahead on the powerplay at 47:57 when Ben O’Connor rifled a slapshot from the blueline into the top right corner above Stephen Murphy’s blocker to give his side a 3-2 lead.
Despite a late time out called by Giants coach Derek Walser in an effort to rally his troops, the Steelers added the icing to the cake with an empty net goal from Steelers stalwart Jason Hewitt.
Fredrik Vestberg had an opportunity to fire into the wide open net, but elected to unselfishly pass to Jason Hewitt for his seventh goal of his testimonial season with just a second in the game remaining.
The buzzer sounded ensuring the 5,636 fans in attendance went home happy after collecting the all-important two points.
Carl Lauzon scores the Blaze’s fourth goal of the night (Image courtesy of Scott Wiggins
The Steelers travelled to the West Midlands on Sunday evening to take on the Coventry Blaze, in a rematch from the previous Sunday. The Blaze ran out 5-1 victors after a stellar performance from netminder Brian Stewart.
The 6 feet 4 inch shot stopper has picked up the Man of Match for the Blaze in 9 out of the last 10 games against the Steelers, proving he is well and truly the thorn in Sheffield’s side.
The Blaze were soon on the scoreboard after just 99 seconds when Carl Lauzon cut into the slot from the left wing with a nice toe drag move and firing low past Pinc blocker side to give his side a 1-0 lead.
The Steelers were handed a powerplay moments later when Clements was assessed a boarding minor from referee Stefan Hogarth. The man advantage proved fruitless with efforts from Roy and Vestberg being turned aside.
The Blaze came close to extending their lead at 5:05 when former Clan forward Chris Bruton fired a blistering wristshot, forcing Pinc into making an excellent glove save.
Former Steeler Jim Jorgensen threatened with a one timer on the powerplay at 9:24 after a great pass from Brett Robinson which forced Marek Pinc into making a great lateral save.
The Steelers soon levelled courtesy of Cönny Stromberg who was Jonny on the spot to fire home from just outside the crease low past Brian Stewart.
The hosts regained their lead in controversial fashion. Gui Desbiens and Blaze defenceman Boris Valabik got tied up at centre ice resulting in a penalty against the Steelers forward. Blaze broke down the ice and despite the whistle being blown Jim Jorgensen fired the puck into the net at the backdoor, and the goal was given by Hogarth.
Steelers Coach Paul Thompson rightly furious with the call remonstrated with Hogarth, but his protest fell on deaf ears and the goal was allowed to stand.
The Blaze spurred on by their second goal soon added a third when Brenden Walker backhanded high over a sprawling Pinc with just 39 seconds remaining in the opening period.
Both teams shared chances early in the second period with Lauzon and Sarich of Coventry and Sheffield respectively threatening on goal.
The visitors came close once again at 26:47 with Captain Jonathan Phillips and workhorse Tyler Mosienko both seeing close range efforts saved by Stewart after a goal mouth scramble.
Coventry responded with recent acquisition Brenden Walker striking the post at 28:25 signalling the Blazes intent.
Sheffield soon pulled a goal back on the powerplay through Cönny Stromberg who was unmarked at the back post and converted a Ben O’Connor pass low past Stewart at 33:28.
The Blaze countered and came close at 37:08 when Canadian forward Brett Robinson forced a good low leg pad save from Czech netminder Marek Pinc.
Both teams shared chances early again in the third period but it was the visitors who grabbed the vital sixth goal.
At 48:24 Swede Fredrik Vestberg was on hand to tap home a rebound after a shot from fellow countryman Cönny Stromberg fell nicely for him in front of the Blaze net to make it 3-3.
The Blaze soon regained their lead when Carl Lauzon picked his spot and fired top shelf past Pinc with a blistering wrist shot to make it 4-3 at 50:49.
The celebrations were short lived as parity was restored just over a minute later when Cullen Eddy rifled a shot home from the blueline on the powerplay to make it 4-4.
Sheffield came close to a fifth with Gui Desbiens striking the post with a powerful wristshot with just over 3 minutes of the game remaining.
Jordan Pietrus scores the decisive penalty shot for the Blaze (Image courtesy of Scott Wiggins)
No further scoring followed ensuring both teams picked up a point and the game would be settled in extra time.
Just 58 seconds into overtime referee Stefan Hogarth handed a hooking minor penalty to Boris Valabik. On the resulting powerplay the visitors piled on the pressure but couldn’t find a way past Stewart once again.
Despite dominating overtime, the clock ticked down signalling a shootout. Stewart would once again taking the plaudits saving from Mosienko and Strömberg, whilst at the other end Blaze forwards Drew Fisher and Jordan Pietrus netted their efforts ensuring Blaze took the extra point.
Steelers Head Coach Paul Thompson offered his thoughts after the Blaze game, “It was a great game of hockey from both teams. We worked our backsides off, but it wasn’t to be. It wasn’t for the lack of effort or commitment, it was the lack of knowledge to officiate at this level,” Thompson stated.
With the trio of Colton Fretter, Robert Dowd and Zack Fitzgerald sidelined with injuries as well as several players playing through the pain barrier, the international break couldn’t come at a better time for the Steelers, and will provide them with a weekend away from the rink in order to rest and recuperate.
“I’ve not coached a team that’s as beat up as this with three main players still out for us. It’s come at the right time, it’s about recovering now and getting back and going for that final push because we are still very much in it.” Thompson added.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
Follow Pro Hockey News on Twitter – @prohockeynews
Follow the author on Twitter – @cliffy94
You must be logged in to post a comment.