After what can only be described as a ‘interesting’ game in Altringham against the Manchester Storm last night, the Steelers were back in Elite League action tonight after already securing top spot in the Challenge Cup Group.
In their path tonight was the Fife Flyers as they travelled down from Scotland. Prior to the puck dropping, the Flyers sat in 8th place in the league, whilst the Steelers sat in 4th, eight points behind the first placed Guildford Flames with three games in hand. The Steelers also hold two games in hand over second and third placed Cardiff and Coventry respectively.
We once again welcomed a new family member in the form of Charlie Henry who came in on emergency backup duties for Matthew Greenfield from the Sheffield Steeldogs.
Martin Latal and Sebastien Piche also came back into the squad with Brendan Connolly and Alex Graham making way.
In the first period, neither team was able to break the deadlock with the Steelers leading the way in possession. Adam Raska with the best chance of the period as his effort was sent away from the goal line right at the last second early in the period.
Both netminders showing their class throughout the period and seeing off one penalty kill each.
The Steelers then looked for a spark in the second period to take control of the game, and that came early in the period in the 23rd minute from the top line as Neumann received the puck from Ciampini at the Fife blue line, split the Flyers d-men and beat Owen low blocker side.
The Flyers did well to kill off two more penalties to keep within one goal of the Steelers, but the Steelers did end the period on the penalty kill themselves as Petgrave was sent to the box with only 1 second left on clock. The penalty coming shortly after Petgrave had missed a wide open net and was probably still replaying it in his head as he tripped his man on the play.
The second goal of the game was crucial in the overall outcome of the game and it was the Steelers who took the opportunity, again early in the period, this time through Matt Petgrave. A lovely assist from the impressive Nevalianen to find Petgrave at the back-post and his one-timer was enough to beat Own. Mason Mitchell picking up the second assist.
Both teams swapped penalties before Owen was pulled following a time-out and Nuemann picked up the puck in the Steelers zone and fired on the empty net only for Martin Latal to get the tiniest of touches on puck to claim the goal. Davey Phillips with the secondary assist on this one.
For his fifth shut-out of the season, Matt Greenfield was sent on a Man of the Match Eddy and scored a perfect try to impress the Scottish disabled Rugby League team in attendance. Shane Owen picking up the Man of the Match award for the Fife Flyers.
We are back in action on Wednesday night in a midweek encounter against the second placed Coventry Blaze as the Steelers continue to sit in fourth place. 7.30pm face-off – see you there!
With Steelers match report
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