SHEFFIELD, U.K.- The Sheffield Steeldogs experienced yet another successful week as they progressed to the final of the EPL cup on Feb. 16, beating Milton Keynes Lightning 1-0 on aggregate. On Feb. 19, the Steeldogs also secured a solid 3-2 away victory at the home of the Bracknell Bees.
After previously beating the Lightning 1-0 at home on Feb. 8, the Steeldogs held Milton Keynes, in their home rink, to a goal-less draw. The travelling Sheffield fans saw a nail-biting, end-to-end game that could have gone either way.
In the final 38 seconds of the third period, the Steeldogs picked up a penalty, giving the Lightning a 6-on-4 opportunity. The Lightning piled on the pressure, however, the Steeldogs remained resilient and shut-out the home team.
Steeldogs netminder, Ben Bowns, received the MOTM award after a terrific performance, denying the Lightning after 31 shots on net.
The entire Sheffield team were ecstatic with the result. Owner, Shane Smith, said “I am really proud of the whole team, it was a complete team effort for the whole game”.
Player/Coach, Andre Payette, added “I am over the moon with our biggest win so far. We played ‘play-off’ hockey and our defence were just awesome. To play 6 periods of hockey without conceding a goal at this level and in a semi-final contest, is something the team, Club and Sheffield fans can be really proud of ”.
This result sends the Steeldogs into their first ever cup final, where they will face either Manchester Phoenix or Guildford Flames. The two sides play the second leg of their semi final Feb. 22, after a 2-2 draw at the home of the Phoenix.
Travelling fans saw another tough match for the Steeldogs at the home of the Bracknell Bees.
It was a slow start to the match, with the two netminders keeping their teams in the game with tremendous saves at both ends. The deadlock was broken, however, by the Steeldogs at 19:03. After just exiting the penalty box, Andre Payette fired the puck past Bracknell netminder, Tom Annetts.
The Steeldogs struggled to find their usual pace and performance level again in the second period. Whilst on the powerplay, the Steeldogs allowed Bees forward, Matt Foord time and space and were punished on the breakaway at 33:15. Foord made no mistake in securing the shorthanded breakaway opportunity to bring his team back into contention.
The third period saw the Steeldogs up the pace and applying more offensive pressure. The Steeldogs only recorded 5 shots on net during the third period, however, but that seemed to be enough when Andrew Hirst scored at 52:16 to take the Steeldogs 2-1 up.
With 28 seconds left of the game, the Bees were awarded a penalty shot after Ben Morgan illegally covered the puck. Shaun Thompson scored the penalty shot to take both teams into overtime.
Brittle scores late overtime winner for Steeldogs (Picture Courtesy of Sheffield Steeldogs)
Stuart Brittle secured victory for the Steeldogs with just 23 seconds of overtime remaining. The game finished 3-2 to the Steeldogs. Steve Duncombe was awarded the MOTM.
The Steeldogs now face two tough weekend matches. Feb. 25 will see the Sheffield side travel to the home of league leaders, Guildford Flames. The Steeldogs play host to Slough Jets on Feb. 26, in a crucial game for the third place position in the league.
Contact the writer at ryan.laycock@prohockeynews.com
