Roger Williams (@elgordosteel) and Jake Oakley (@SnapperJakeO) report back on mixed fortune for the Steeldogs at the weekend.
**** v Tigers ****
Table toppers topple Dogs
The Bradfield Brewery Sheffield Steeldogs started a home double header against table topping Telford Tigers and the Billingham Stars. First up Telford.
Sedlar and Murdy were the net minders leading their teams out for the first period. Sheffield were without Callum Pattison and Craig Elliott.
There was relatively little to report during the opening 20 minutes; a Jason Silverthorn early chance went high above Sedlar’s goal. A Wood chance ended with Scott pushing him following some snow on Murdy. Lee Haywood took a 2 minute penalty for kneeing and Greg Wood sat the first of his 3 penalties on 14:04 for interference. The Steeldogs coped with those 2 power plays from Telford. Right on the buzzer Scott took a 2 minute interference penalty that would see the Steeldogs start the next period a man up.
There were early cautious exchanges at the start of the second period, followed by a frantic breakaway and an odd man rush the other way. The Steeldogs had a 3 on 1 breakout but Legue couldn’t make it count. On 28 minutes exactly, a Zajac power play blast from the point found the twine with Weaver and Miller gaining assists on that goal. Salem doubled the Tigers advantage 82 seconds later.
Andre Payette called timeout after that goal and gave the team an animated lecture. After the timeout Legue burst through the middle and with Murdy stranded it was Korhon who tipped the puck home after Hirst had also had a try on 32.31. The Steeldogs killed another penalty but soon after some slick Tigers passing from Miller and Szabo left Silverthorn with time and space to flick the puck past Sedlar. Davies had a great chance to add number 4 but Sedlar robbed him however Salem wasn't to be denied and scored the 4th goal shortly after.
30 seconds into the third period and Nathan Salem completed his hat-trick, firing into the top corner as the Dogs back line failed to deal with some smart work from the Tigers. Sheffield showed they could play some pretty stuff as well with Hirst and Squires giving Korhon a chance he dispatched. Telford showed no sign of giving up and scored number 6 with alarming ease, Davies powering the puck home. Joe Miller tipped the seventh home after some determined cycling again left Sedlar exposed. For the first time in three visits, Owen Bennett got on the ice and within seconds Andre Payette gave him a sound beating. Both players receiving 2+2 for roughing. Once the excitement of fisticuffs had died down there was just time for Telford's eighth goal of the game, scored by Taylor from Szabo.
A disappointing end to a game where the Steeldogs were hoping to put their midweek loss behind them. Telford outshot the home team 47 to 31. The Man of the Match awards were presented to Nathan Salem for Telford and Tim Smith for Sheffield.
**** V Billingham ****
Hirst Seeing Stars After Hat-trick
The Bradfield Brewery Sheffield Steeldogs were in Crossover Cup action as the Billingham Stars of the ENL were the visitors at iceSheffield. The Stars included some familiar faces including Chris Sykes and net minder James Flavell. Brad Day started in goal for the Steeldogs, who also included Cole Shudra and Charlie Thompson. Tom Squires, Tim Smith and Craig Elliott were missing along with the imports as the Dogs continued their 'Brits only' approach to games against ENL teams.
The opening shift contained more hits than the entire Solway game. Greg Wood exchanged pleasantries with Moss and as it threatened to escalate Pattison stepped in, earning himself a 10 minute misconduct. Gibson and Calvert both had decent opportunities but Flavell denied them. The first 20 minutes saw both teams working hard in each other’s offensive zones. The Steeldogs getting 17 shots on Flavell and the Stars firing 10 on Day.
The Steeldogs made a break through early in the second period; on 22.01 Cam Brownley drove through centre ice and fired the puck past Flavell, assisted by Lee Haywood and Callum Pattison. Windridge of the Stars was given a tripping penalty a minute after the goal and towards the end of the power play Greg Wood and Ashley Calvert combined with Calvert working hard behind the net and gave Bell a tap in. Another goal followed soon after when Cam Brownley was in the right place again to pounce on rebound from a Gibson shot to extend the lead to three. A very productive 6 minutes from the Steeldogs. The home team continued the pressure and on 31:11 led to a great chance that Cole Shudra buried, assisted by Lloyd Gibson and Charlie Thompson. This ended the scoring in the second period with the Steeldogs certainly putting their stamp on the game in the middle 20.
The Stars changed their net minder and gave the third period to Mark Watson. With the period looking a little pedestrian, Lee Haywood and Charlie Thompson set up Hirst on a break to beat Watson in the Stars net. 5 minutes later Lloyd Gibson made a determined break up the left and even though Watson saved, Andy Hirst was on hand to bag is second of the night. The game was winding down but there was a hat-trick to be had and Hirst showed determination to get it. He was rewarded as with 1.37 to go he scored on a feed from Calvert and Day.
The game ended with a 7-0 score line but the Steeldogs had to work hard for it, Billingham certainly came to play. Both teams created chances, Day facing 27 shots and the net minding pair for the Stars facing 47 shots.
A great night for the young ‘Pups’ – A shut out and assist for Brad Day, 2 goals for Cam Brownley, 2 assists for Charlie Thompson, a first goal for the senior team for Cole Shudra and Tom Barry racking up the ice time in a defence that kept the Stars at bay. The future of hockey is bright in Sheffield.
Man of the Match awards went to James Moss for the Billingham Stars and Andy Hirst for the Steeldogs.
The next iceSheffield game is on Saturday November 8th (7.30) when a Peterborough Phantoms team featuring Edgars Bebris and Luke Ferrara will be out to improve on the result from their last visit.
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