SHEFFIELD, U.K. – The Sheffield Steelers had a mixed weekend of results with a win and a loss against Coventry and Cardiff respectively.
Sheffield first took to home ice against the Coventry Blaze in Challenge Cup action. The last time the two teams met, was in the same competition with Sheffield being at the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline .
It was a different matter this time round, with Sheffield claiming the honours over Paul Thompson’s men with a 4-1 victory. The game featured a debut from Sheffield-born 19-year-old Tom Squires. The product of Sheffield’s widely acclaimed junior system didn’t look one bit out of place, and had some good scoring opportunities.
Sheffield were first on the scoresheet in the ninth minute thanks to fan favourite Jeff Legue. Former Blaze custodian Derek Campbell, who has recently returned from suspension, was credited with an assist on the play.
Both teams pressed during the period, but no further scoring followed, ensuring Sheffield went into the period break the happier of the two sides.
The second period was only four minutes old, when a trademark Jeff Legue slapshot on the powerplay found its way past a helpless Brett Jaeger in the Coventry net.Just over a minute later and Jason Hewitt got himself on the scoresheet to give his team a 3-0 lead against last years Elite League Champions. Jason Hewitt netted his second of the night at 30:52 to further subdue the Coventry travelling support. Once again Derek Campbell was credited with an assist in a fine performance, after a five game layoff.
Sean Selmser gave his team a glimmer of hope in the fifty-fourth minute on the powerplay to deny Sheffield netminder Ervins Mustukovs a fifth shutout of the season.No further scoring followed, ensuring Sheffield claimed a vital two points in their quest to capture the Challenge Cup.
Jeff Legue (right) scores three big goals over the weekend (Photo courtesy of Sheffield Steelers)
Sheffield travelled to South Wales 24 hours later in Elite League action, to take on a resurgent Cardiff Devils outfit, who have proved to be a thorn in Sheffield’s side so far this season.Cardiff claimed bragging rights with an impressive 5-3 win over Ben Simon’s injury-stricken men. Cardiff were out of the blocks the quickest, after a Stuart MacRae effort in the eight minute, evaded it’s way past Mustukovs in the Sheffield net.Cardiff doubled their lead in the twelfth minute through Elite League top scorer Jon Pelle.
Sheffield pressed but could not find a way past Stevie Lyle in the Cardiff goal, ensuring they were 2-0 down at the end of the period.
Cardiff carried on where they left off in the second period with local hero Brad Voth netting his first of the season on the powerplay at 31:23, after recently returning from a hand injury, sustained in a fight against Sheffield’s Neil Clark in the opening weekend of the season. Cardiff raced to a 4-0 lead in the thirty-fifth minute after Tylor Michel netted his twelfth goal of the season.Sheffield began their fight back soon after, with Ashley Tait netting at 36:18, with Tom Squires registering his first point with an assist on the goal, in only his second game for the Steelers.Squires then turned from provider to scorer thirty-five seconds later, as he grabbed a memorable first goal in Sheffield colours. Tom Squires, who has been a boyhood follower of the Steelers, later went on to collect the Man of the Match award for his fine display.
Sheffield started the third period strongly and Jeff Legue brought the game to within a goal at 45:36 on the powerplay, to bring the game right back into contention.A nervy final fifteen minutes was on the cards, until Jon Pelle netted his second of the night with little over two minutes in the game remaining, sending the home fans into raptures with a crucial 5-3 League win for the Devils.
Sheffield did well without the injured quartet of Rob Globke (Concussion), Jonathan Phillips (knee), Jerramie Domish (ankle), and Mark Thomas (foot).
Sheffield now face a tough test especially with the injuries plaguing the squad as they face four games in five days (Nottingham twice and Edinburgh twice) ensuring an interesting end to the month of October.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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