As part of our new focus on all things hockey in Sheffield, we welcome Roger Williams (@ElGordoSteel) and Jake Oakley (@SnapperJakeO) in to cover the EPL Sheffield Steeldogs.
We start with a match report from last night's "friendly encounter" with the Manchester Phoenix.
Steeldogs 4 Phoenix 7
It was never going to be a quiet night in Sheffield!
The War of The Roses resumed with the Bradfield Brewery Sheffield Steeldogs having had the upper hand in the previous battles. Manchester Phoenix were without James Archer and Jacob Heron-Corson, the Steeldogs were at 100%, with a full bench.
The first 5 minutes were fast and furious; the home team came out quickly and showed their intent to get the first marker on the board. At 7:20, with Walker in the box, Lloyd Gibson fired a beauty from the point, assisted by Hirst and Korhon. Then came the first flashpoint of the game. Graham high sticked Bell in the face and the Dogs bench raced to be first to teach him a lesson. Craig Elliott won the race and they fought surrounded by both teams. A match penalty followed for Graham, Bell received 2+10 checking to the head and Elliott sat for 2 for roughing.
With hardly the chance to pause for breath after this melee, Bakrlik stepped up to score Manchester’s first goal of the game at 9:07, assisted Hand and Psurny. The game continued at pace and it wasn’t long before Payette went for a theatrical slash and in the following power play, Walker shot one from the blue line through traffic to beat Sedlar on a pass from Psurny. Within a minute there was another clash with James Neil hitting Elliott from behind in the corner and another crowd gathered. Neil received a 2+10 for his hit and Morgan receiving 2 for roughing. Before the end of the period a high hit from Bakrlik went uncalled and Patto left the bench to address it but the big Czech was unwilling to back up his elbows with his fists. Patto received a 10 minute incitement penalty. The first 20 minutes finished with the Steeldogs trailing by one goal.
The second period got underway and Burlin received a 2 minute penalty for a hook. In the following power play Legue slipped the D to create a 3 on 1 chance but couldn't find Wood with the cross. At 26.54 some persistent skating from Kovar was rewarded as he slipped a puck towards net that Bakrlik tipped home. Soon after the Steeldogs brought the game back to a one goal margin. Pressure saw Calvert link up with Gibson who just missed a great chance. But soon after, Legue’s persistence with the puck paid off, after Fone initially saved, he wrapped around for 2-3. The puck dropped to restart the game and the home crowd were quickly quietened when Thompson shot a clean puck over Sedlar's shoulder seconds later.
The action was thick and fast and the Dogs rallied with another Calvert charge which led to a rocket from Morgan that Fone never saw. With the game at 3-4 Payette was called for boarding and with three seconds left on the advantage, Bakrlik fired a shot that Psurny buried as it came back off the boards. Even though there were only a couple of minutes left in the period there was still time for more incident. The referee missed another elbow (Bakrlik on Gibson) and Sheffield frustrations saw Calvert seeking retribution. The melee saw both getting 5+game for resisting a linesman, with Calvert also getting a match penalty for roughing. With a 2 man advantage Kovar scored for the Phoenix, after Morgan hesitated when he could have cleared the zone. The period ended with a 3-6 score line in favour of the visitors.
Into the final period and the referee continued with his unique interpretation of the rules. Legue received a slashing call and Kovar went after him. Lloyd Gibson left the bench to intervene. Gibson received 2+2+ game for leaving the bench and Kovar 2+2 for roughing. Thompson scored on the power play for 7-3. The game settled down for 5 minutes until Coach Payette earned a 10 minute penalty for incitement. As the clock ran down Patto tried to engage with Psurny and despite nothing happening he got his second 10 of the night, another Steeldog taking an early bath. With 2 minutes of the game left there was still time for another penalty, Wood taking a delay of the game penalty for Manchester. With 54 seconds to go Morgan shot home on the power play and finished the scoring for the night. 7-4 to the Phoenix.
The Steeldogs had 48 shots on Manchester’s Stephen Fone which earned him the Phoenix Man of the Match and with 2 goals in the game, Ben Morgan took the honours for the Steeldogs. Manchester’s clinical finishing made them deserved winners on a night when the officiating left a lot to be desired.
Saturday is a rest day for the Bradfield Brewery Sheffield Steeldogs, but they will be back on Sunday at iceSheffield when Bracknell Bees are the visitors. Woody, Morgs and the boys will be ready for their second battle of the weekend. Let’s bring the noise for the boys and get the Pound rocking!
Steeldogs v Bees faces off at 5:30, in the words of Jeff Legue……BE THERE!
Words: Roger Williams (@ElGordoSteel)
Pictures: Jake Oakley (@SnapperJakeO)
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