SHEFFIELD, U.K.- On Saturday Feb. 4, Andre Payette and his Sheffield Steeldogs were looking to extend their 3 game winning streak at home to the Peterborough Phantoms. Following their poor 5-2 defeat away at Peterborough on Jan. 15, the Steeldogs were keen to set the record straight. “We went into Peterborough and were out-muscled and out-worked” Payette said. “This will not happen again.”
Payette promised the fans an action packed game, in addition to a home victory. The Steeldogs delivered; brushing aside the Phantoms in a 3-0 win.
The first two periods saw solid defensive displays from both teams, with Steeldogs netminder, Ben Bowns, and Phantoms netminder, Damian King, both on top form.
Despite end-to-end play and good chances for both teams, neither side could convert. The score remained goal-less heading into the third period.
The third period proved to be decisive for the Sheffield side and they were quickly of the mark to open the score-line. At 43:15, top goal scorer, Janis Ozolins found some space and slotted it past King to put the Steeldogs up by 1.
Moments later at 44:39, after great play from Ozolins and defender, Ben Morgan, the puck was fired into the roof of the net on the rebound by Ashley Calvert.
The victory was sealed 5 minutes later at 48:56 when new import Raivis Kurnigins scored his first goal for the Steeldogs.
Raivis Kurnigins on top form (Picture Courtesy of The Sheffield Steeldogs)
Payette said in an interview before the game, “I anticipate hard-hitting, action packed hockey with fights, goals and a home victory.” The Steeldogs fully delivered on all aspects, with Steeldog, Chris Sykes, and Phantom, Will Weldon, squaring up and dropping gloves. The fight was won by Sykes, which, in addition to the Steeldogs’ terrific performance, gave the home fans even more to cheer about.
Ben Bowns secured yet another shutout and Ozolins recorded a 1+1 on what was his birthday. Raivis Kurnigins claimed the MOTM award however after putting in an impressive shift and opening his scoring tally for the Sheffield side.
The Sheffield Steeldogs now face a huge midweek game on Wednesday Feb. 8, at home to the Milton Keynes Lightning in the first leg of the EPL Cup semi-final.
Contact the writer at ryan.laycock@prohockeynews.com
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