Welcome to our match report from the latest Sheffield Steelers game.
Steelers started their defence of the play-off title with the opening leg of their quarter-final against Guildford Flames who finished sixth in the regular season rankings. The team news saw Paul Thompson having to sit two imports as the roster holds 16 compared to the maximum 14 which they are allowed to ice in a game. The ones to miss were high scoring winger Matt Marquardt and the enigmatic Tim Wallace. This meant that both Mathieu Roy and Andreas Jämtin both were back in the line-up whilst Ervins Mustukovs returned in goal. Liam Kirk was absent on GB Under-18 duty in Estonia. Flames, whilst not having the depth on the bench which Steelers had, started with Brian Stewart in goal and included former Steeler Geoff Walker in their line-up as well as Davey Phillips' brother Kevin.
The opening period was a bit scrappy it has to be said, Steelers finding Stewart a barrier like he has been before during his time at Coventry. That and sending some shots straight into the chest of the tall Canadian. You just knew that Guildford might edge something and from one of their opportunities they got the opening goal. With the arm up for a penalty, Brett Ferguson found high scoring defenceman Jesse Craige and his shot was excellently touched home from in front by Charles Wells. The penalty was an interference minor against Davey Phillips.
That period ended 1-0, and so did the second despite both teams having plenty of opportunities. Both Mustukovs and Stewart performing well when called upon and keeping this game close and very evenly poised as we entered that final twenty. Could the breakthrough happen? Yes it could with 2:45 played in that period, Scott Aarssen with the helper and John Armstrong skating into fire the puck top beans over the resilient Stewart to tie the game. A massive sigh of relief enveloped the majority of the Arena crowd. Yet with just under four minutes later, the Flames were back in front. With Robert Dowd in the box for a kneeing minor, Flames powerplay went to work and some good work ensued for Walker to superb set up Ferguson who finished well.
Then Flames picked two penalties at once and it proved to be the catalyst for the Steelers to kick on. With Craige and John Dunbar both penalised, Steelers had a 5 on 3 opportunity and they looked like squandering it but with eight seconds left on it: they netted an equaliser. A superb blast by Dowd that fizzed past the former Blaze netminder with sheer accuracy from the GB internationalist. Buoyed by that, Steelers had momentum and took the lead with probably one of the goals of the season. Armstrong picked up the puck deep inside his own defensive zone and then proceeded to go through the Flames defence like a knife through hot butter before adding the coup de grace and sending the home support delirious. What a goal!
This knocked the stuffing out of the Flames on the night and with just under five and half minutes left, Steelers scored a fourth: this time Andreas Valdix being in the right spot at close range to net. It got to Ferguson who got an early shower at 57:46, a late check from behind on Eric Neiley earning the Flames winger a 2+10 on the night penalty and as announced today: a two game suspension. Stewart was still making good saves and keeping the Flames within reach but the Steelers head to Surrey tonight (Sunday) with a three goal margin as they netted a fifth goal 24 seconds left, the ever dependable and impressive Mark Matheson took advantage from a screen and lighting the lamp.
Time for the statistics:
Goals: Steelers 5 Flames 2
Steelers Scoring: Armstrong 2+1, Matheson 1+2, Valdix 1+1, Aarssen 0+2, Dowd 1+0, Fretter 0+1, Nelson 0+1.
Flames Scoring: Ferguson 1+1, Wells 1+0, Walker 0+1, Craige 0+1, Lundin 0+1.
Shots On Goal: Steelers 32 Flames 30
Powerplay: Steelers 2 from 6 (33% conversion), Flames 1 from 3 (33% conversion)
Penalty Minutes called: Steelers 6 Flames 22
Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 28 Saves (28), GAA: 2.00 (2.00), Save Percentage: 93.30% (93.30%).
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