SIHA Round-Up 20.12.2014

Just a quick note we apologise for missing a week of Academy action as it was beyond our control but happy to be back up and running normally this week.

It was a case of mixed fortunes this weekend for SIHA’s teams for which the starting point has to be Senators fine 8-6 win against promotion rivals Widnes Wild.

Widnes are tricky opponents on home ice and had taken the lead three times only to be pegged back by Senators with a Paul Lofthouse goal sandwiched with two from Callum Rawson. Wild hit back with two goals to lead 5-3 but Senators dug deep once more to finish with Callum Rawson getting his hat-trick and Josh Wheway to go into the final period at 5-5.Two goals from Nathan Britton in the first three minutes of the period swung the advantage Senators way for the first time in the game and showed even more character to go and claim what was an important victory. Widnes did pull one back to set up a tense finale but Sens played the game out and made it safe with a late powerplay goal through Sergevs Jegorovs with the final score Widnes 6 Senators 8.

NIHL counterparts Spartans had to settle for a draw against Sutton Sting in a game that was there for the taking but lack lustre first period saw Sutton 2-1 up in what was a scrappy period of hockey, not helped by some poor officiating. Sting opened the scoring in the first minute. Brandon Stones had mage a great save only for the puck to rebound off former Spartans Coach John Ross’s chest and into the net. Spartans gradually picked up the pace and were worth their equaliser through Will Barron. Spartans when under no real pressure allowed Reece Cairney-Witter time and space to get a shot in which was fumbled by Brandon Stones for a howler of a goal to concede. Spartans were a different team in the second and dominated the period, outclassing Sting at times who hung on to deny Spartans who did equalise with a great goal from Scott Morris. The final period was a little more even; Spartans had the better possession and played the better hockey whereas Sutton enjoyed more chances and arguably the better ones too but neither team could make the breakthrough to go on and win the game; one which Spartans should have won in all fairness.

Following that game at Ice Sheffield, Scorpions U18’s D2 put in a good solid performance to beat Blackburn 9-1 with four goals for Ethan Hardy, a couple for Jack Brain with Josh Pigott, Tom Frith & Ross Gallagher.

Stormers U14’s D1 tasted defeat for the first time this season in what was always going to be a tricky game away at Bradford whilst Steelhawks U18’s were left frustrated after out shooting opponents Hull over in Humberside by 51 to 15 but Hull’s netminder stood on his head to ensure his team grabbed a share of the points in their 2-2 draw. Steelhawks scorers were Cole Shudra & Joe Colton whilst Tom Brooke-Smith was a deserved winner of the Spirit of the Game Award.

Next weekend sees the inaugural Sheffield Winter Classic Game between Spartans & Senators facing off at 4.15pm on Saturday which will follow on from an exhibition game featuring U14’s Stormers & Sabres.

Stormers U14’s D1 are also in league action at 1.35pm when they take on Solihull Barons.

On Sunday, Rapiers U16’s D1 face a tricky game in Bradford but one they will go into full of confidence and belief in getting the job done.

Sheffield Spartans were left kicking themselves after drawing 2-2 with Sutton Sting in a game that had it’s high and low points.

A definite low point was the lack lustre first period in which both teams looked out of sorts in a scrappy contest which was not helped by some poor officiating. Sutton took the lead on just 47 seconds through John Ross. Brandon Stones had made a fine save from Shaun Ashton but the puck rebounded on to Ross’s chest and into the net for a goal. Sting  were having the better of things in the opening minutes of the game but Spartans pulled level on 8.26 after some great build up play from Scott Morris & Nick Manning found Will Barron to score. The goal lifted Spartans who came more and more into the game but with some strange calls both called & missed by the officials, the game became more laboured than it had been previously. With neither team stamping their authority on the game Spartans gifted Sting the lead on 17.20. Reece Carney-Witter did well to exploit Spartans failure to clear the zone and created space to fire in an unchallenged shot that was fumbled over the line by Brandon Stones to concede what was a defensive howler. Sutton almost scored again but Brandon was back on his game again to make the save after which there was no further incident with the period thankfully ending but unfortunate for Spartans in that they were losing 2-1.

Whatever Coach Martin White said in the dressing room during the period break clearly had the desired effect along with moving Shaun Wild from D to forward to cover the loss of Ollie Barron to injury; the result of a nasty challenge in the first period (that wasn’t called); both seemingly inspiring Spartans to put in a terrific performance. Apart from a two minute spell mid period, Spartans completely dominated the period but some solid netminding from Dmitri Zimozdra coupled with a stubborn defence kept Sting in the game. However, despite their dominance, Spartans could only convert one of the many chances they created but what a great goal it was from Scott Morris timed at 35.30, assisted Nick Manning & Dougie Jordan. Spartans were on top but it was 2-2 against a team, who on the day, were there for the taking.

Credit must go to Sutton for the way they dug in to have their best spell of the game in what now was an end to end game with both teams all out for the win. There was very little between the teams this period; Spartans enjoyed more of the possession and were passing the puck with confidence but it was Sting who created more chances and arguably the better ones too with Brandon Stones more than redeeming himself for his earlier mishap. Spartans defence were outstanding this period, not just in defending but in the build play for Spartans attacks but they couldn’t put their chances away which saw Sting counter with some nice break out plays. It was a close call as to who might win going into the final few minutes and with a draw being the likely outcome Sutton were gifted an opportunity with a powerplay after a ridiculous call on Dougie Jordan for roughing. However, despite being at a numerical disadvantage in the final minute Spartans won possession to see the game out and having to settle for a point.

Scott Morris won a deserved Man of the Match Award for Spartans whilst James Goodman got the nod for Sutton.

Final Score: Sutton Sting 2 Sheffield Spartans 2

Thanks for reading guys. Any questions or comments please get in contact with the Frozen Steel Team on this article, Facebook or via Twitter:-
@FrozenSteelBlog
@TomWalkeden
@FrozenSteelMNL
@hockeybhoy
@RatedRDG

Check out the Frozen Steel Forum

or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com