Sheffield, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers claimed another valuable two points in their quest to retain the Elite League title with a comfortable 3-1 win over the Dundee Stars.
Some would say the scoreline flattered the Stars, in a game that they were heavily outshot by 48-23.
Sheffield record their fifth straight win and remain ubeaten in 2012
Sheffield came out of the gates flying and had the Stars pinned in their zone for most of the first period. It was the Steelers who were to get on the scoresheet first thanks to the pugilistic maestro Colt King, who tipped home a Jeff Legue slapshot from the point on the powerplay at 8:44 to make it 1-0.
The Steelers pressed and looked to add to their tally, but couldn’t find a way past Stars’ netminder Chris Whitely, who was putting on an impressive show in the net, turning away 24 of 25 shots in a first period blitz.
Sheffield started the second period strongly and soon doubled their lead after a neat unassisted goal from Luke Fulghum at 21:37 to make it 2-0.
Both teams had their fare share of chances, but were kept at bay by netminders John DeCaro and Chris Whitely of Sheffield and Dundee respectively.
Dundee managed to pull a goal back after Elite League veteran and former Steeler Jeff Hutchins trickled a shot past DeCaro at 33:43 to give the handful of Dundee fans in attendance something to smile about.
No further scoring followed in the second stanza, one in which Sheffield outshot the visitors 13-9.
The third period was underway and Sheffield once again came out the stronger of the two teams. Mark Thomas had an increase in ice time throughout the game due to an injury sustained by Matt Stephenson in the pre-game warm up. Mancunian Thomas didn’t disappoint and played one of his better games of the season.
Luke Fulghum gave the hosts some breathing room when he netted his second of the night, after a nice pass from Steelers Captain Jonathan Phillips, to make it 3-1 at 43:48.
Both teams looked to add to the scoresheet in a more evenly contested third period, with the visitors outshooting the Steelers 11-10. The buzzer sounded and Sheffield claimed the two points, with Fulghum claiming the Man of the Match award for Sheffield and a Chris Whitely for Dundee after a great display in between the pipes.
Sheffield Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty shared his thoughts after the game, “I thought the score line didn’t do us justice. I thought Whitley in goal for Dundee was incredible tonight and made some huge saves. I was pleased how we played and pleased how we kept at it. The powerplay also was a lot better tonight. It was just one of those evenings where it ended up 3 but it could have been 7 or 8,” Finnerty said.
The Steelers now face a four game road trip, starting with Cardiff this Wednesday.
Steelers new signing Nick Duff (on the left) with Steelers Player/Coach Ryan Finnerty (picture courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
Sheffield’s hopes of completing a successful road trip have been boosted today with the announcement of defenceman Nick Duff signing with the club.
The 25-year-old American has signed from the Dayton Gems of the CHL, where he led the team in penalty minutes. He played last year with the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL where he played with current Elite League players, Dave Phillips, Adam Keefe, and Dominic Osman.
Duff spoke about signing with the reigning EIHL champs, “It’s great to be here. I know a few players that have played in this league and when they knew the Steelers wanted to sign me they said sign it’s too good an opportunity to turn down. I have met the coach Ryan Finnerty and we spoke a lot driving back from the airport to the Arena. I know what he expects from me and I will try my best to deliver,” Said Duff.
“I’m strong defensively and I’m physical so that’s what I bring to the table and from speaking with the coach that’s what he wants,” Duff added.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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