SHEFFIELD U.K – The Sheffield Steelers made the long journey up to Dundee o take on the Stars in the Challenge Cup, Quarter Final, 1st Leg this past Thursday. The Steelers were missing influential forward Mathieu Roy and defenseman Dustin Kohn with a knee injury that could keep him out of the line-up for up to a month.
The Steelers were coming off four straight defeats and were looking for a positive result to build momentum for tonight’s clash against the Nottingham Panthers and tomorrow as they travel to Coventry to take on the Blaze.
Over recent weeks the Steelers have struggled, holding on to a lead and indiscipline has been a problem. Against Dundee the Steelers were able to eradicate both issues as they only had to kill three power plays and were able to take the game by three goals to nothing and protected Frank Doyle well as he recorded his eight shut-out in his Steelers career.
The Steelers started the game well, pressuring the puck and creating chances from the off. With Mathieu Roy out injured, Jeff Legue was moved to the top line to play with Colten Fretter and Mike Forney and it was Legue who scored his first goal of the season in his second spell at the club. A nice finish, with assists going to both Fretter and Forney.
Another first was the second goal of the game as Mark Thomas, in the 15th minute, scored his first goal of the season in his testimonial year. The delight clear on his face as he beat Marc Cheverie in the Stars goal with assists going to Jeff Legue and Mike Forney.
The first penalty of the game for the Steelers went to Danny Bois in the 19th minute, both him and Brad Plumton sitting on two minute roughing penalties, both players niggling each other throughout the game and I’m sure will continue through the season when both tough guys face one another.
The only remaining goal of the game went to Gord Baldwin in the 27th minute, another goal from the point as the defenseman, drafted by the Calgary Flames, fired past Cheverie on assists from Danny Bois and Tyler Mosienko.
The rest of the game remained scoreless and the Steelers did an excellent job, as a defensive unit, letting only 20 shots through to Steelers net-minder Frank Doyle. Although the Stars have struggled this season, they’re still a good team who will only improve so this 3-0 victory will not only give the Steelers confidence but they have a clear advantage in the Quarter Final of the Challenge Cup.
The second leg takes place this Wednesday (14th) in Sheffield, 7pm face-off at the Motorpoint Arena.
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