Ozolins steers Steeldogs past Bees

BRACKNELL, UK -Two strikes from Janis Ozolins helped the Sheffield Steeldogs to a narrow victory against the Bracknell Bees. After a scoreless first period, the Latvian struck shorthanded in the second period. Matt Foord equalised for the Bees, but Ozolins’ second goal shortly after was enough to give the visitors the win. Ben Bowns has a fine game for the Steeldogs between the pipes, including a superb glove save in the closing stages to deny Peter Jasik. The Bees created the better opportunities in a tight first period, with Martin Masa and Lukas Smital combining well. Good play from Smital set up Sam Waller, but his first-time shot was well saved by Bowns.

Good fore-checking from Shaun Thompson created space in the slot, but again Bowns remained unbeaten. Straight from a face-off, a clever backhander by Masa forced the Steelers stopper into a good high save. The Steeldogs enjoyed a lot of territory in the first period, and were patient with their build-up. Sheffield created several chances, but nothing that Carl Ambler failed to deal with for Bracknell. Smital continued to look dangerous for the Bees, and he hit the frame of the goal with a quick shot with his side shorthanded. Pavel Gomeniuk was handed a five minute penalty for tripping and a misconduct after he collided with Masa’s knee on a Bees breakaway. This gave Bracknell a long power play, but a bad line change allowed Ozolins to race through on Amber’s goal. The Latvian finished with a great move and shot to put the Steeldogs ahead shorthanded. The Bees looked to equalise straight away, but their power play was cut short when Smital received two minutes for interference. Bracknell didn’t get demoralised by their struggling power play. Smital sent a dangerous puck across the crease and Bowns was unable to hang onto the puck. This allowed Foord to stab the puck home from close range to tie up the score. However, Bracknell weren’t level for long. Ozolins found himself in space in the slot, and calmly placed the puck past Ambler to restore his side’s lead. The Bees started the second period with a bang as Smital again hit the crossbar with a thumping shot. Sheffield slowed down the game, frustrating their opponents. A defensive mix-up by the Steeldogs produced a scramble for a puck on the goal-line. However, the Sheffield defence cleared their lines, despite protests from the Bees – who believed the puck had crossed the goal-line. The Bees dominated the closing stages, but Bowns made a fantastic diving glove save to deny Peter Jasik. Bracknell threw on an extra skater in the final minute, but couldn’t find a way to force overtime – handing Sheffield the close-fought win. The defeat gave the Bees their first weekend without a win this season. However, two moments of magic from Ozolins was the difference, with Bowns’ confident stopping preventing a Bees fight-back. Contact the author david.bol@prohockeynews.com