SHEFFIELD UK – The Sheffield Steelers travelled to Belfast this past weekend for a double header against the Giants, fresh from two defeats against the Nottingham Panthers over the festive period.
The Steelers were at full strength as Jason Hewitt made his return from injury, Belfast were still missing Kevin Saurette and newly acquired Curtis Huppe, was a healthy scratch.
The game started at a fast pace and it was the Steelers that got off the mark first, scoring on the power play within three minutes, courtesy of Dustin Kohn as Robby Sandrock sat for two minutes on a holding minor. 
The first fight broke out, Steelers Danny Bois laying a hit in the corner on Belfast defenceman Jeff Mason. Giants captain, Adam Keefe leading by example, took exception and the tough guys went at it, both receiving a fighting major for their troubles.
The Giants were on the second of nine power plays but it was the Steelers who took advantage as Jonathan Phillips doubled the visitors lead on a shorthanded goal, another two goal lead for the Steelers in the space of week that would prove difficult to hold on to.
If the first period belonged to the Steelers, the Giants took the second period, managing to level the scores before the period end. An in-disciplined period from the Steelers as the Giants had four power play opportunities, converting on two of them.
First, it was Evan Cheverie on a great feed from Mike Kompon, the first of five assists on the night for the Thunder Bay, Ontario native. The second goal with the man advantage came from the point as defenceman Cody Brookwell fired home from point in the 39th minute, which brought the majority of the 5066 crowd to their feet.
That wasn’t the last action of the second period as there was still time for a fight, this time Steelers goal scorer Colton Fretter dropping the gloves with Giants defenceman Calvin Elfring. The Steelers forward getting the majority of the punches away but Elfring managing the take down.
The third period started and the Steelers continued to suffer from in-discipline and paid for it as Belfast took the lead for the first time in the game. As Jonathan Phillips sat a Cross-Checking minor, Calvin Elfring completed his Gordie Howe hat-trick with another goal from the point, this time assists going to Colin Shields and a third for Mike Kompon.
The Steelers tried to force their way back into the game but lost further ground on the scoreboard in the 54th minute as another power play goal from the Giants by Robby Sandrock made the task more difficult for the visiting team.
An exciting last five minutes was guaranteed, the Steelers pulled a goal back, showing a desire to get back into the game, especially for the impressive travelling support. Ben O’Connor getting the third goal for the Steelers, the first time in over a month a defenceman for the Steelers troubled the score sheet.
As the play entered the last minute, Frank Doyle in the Steelers goal, was pulled in favour of an extra skater but the Giants took full advantage and scored on the empty net, Craig Peacock the beneficiary, to take the final score to 5-3 in the Giants favour.
The Sheffield Steelers only had to wait 24 hours to gain revenge on the Giants but encountered the same problems, in-discipline, a poor second period and the inability to hold onto a lead.
The physicality carried over from the previous night, a fight with in first two minutes as Cullen Eddy challenged Ray Sawada for running into Steelers goalie, Frank Doyle. Eddy edging the battle as the ‘Eddy, Eddy, Eddy’ chants rang out from the Steelers support.
As with the previous evening it was the Steelers who opened the scoring, Tyler Mosienko finishing off a move in the 4th minute, assists going to Rod Sarich and Darrell Hay. The Giants didn’t waste any-time in replying and again it was on the power play, the fourth of the weekend as Jeff Legue sat on a two minute high sticks penalty, Colin Shields finishing the move to continue his recent good form.
As the first period continued the Steelers took the lead in the 16th minute, their last of the evening, Colten Fretter finishing well on Carsen Chubak to send the visiting team into the first period break with a one goal lead.
The Giants came out for the second period and applied pressure to force their way back into the game. The pressure told in a two minute period as the Giants scored three unanswered goals to send the home fans into wild celebration. The Giants goals coming from Cody Brookwell, Darryl Lloyd and Ray Sawada.
The Steelers did re-gain their composure and Jason Hewitt pulled a goal back for the visitors to get them back into the game. The one goal deficit didn’t last long though, just over a minute later Craig Peacock netted his first of the game and the Giants went into the Second period break with a two goal lead and the momentum on their side.
Both teams started the third period strongly and the Steelers came out with more purpose, looking to get back into the game but the only goal of the third period went to Belfast to take the final score to 6-3. Mike Kompon getting his first goal and sixth point of the weekend to take the game beyond the Steelers and hand them their fourth consecutive defeat.
Disgruntled Steelers head coach Gerad Adams spoke to Seth Bennett after the game “Well I think it’s kind of text book if you want to beat our hockey team all you need to do is compete hard, force us to battle, force us to make simple plays and put pressure on us for a 13 minute span and you’ll beat us”
Tough and honest words from the Steelers head coach but words you couldn’t argue with. The first opportunity, the Steelers have to break their four game winless run is this Thursday in Dundee as they take on the Stars in the first leg of the Challenge Cup Quarter Final before returning to the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday (10th) as arch rivals the Nottingham Panthers are in town.
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