Flames win but Steelers progress to semi-final

Welcome to our match report from Sunday's game at Guildford.

After produced an explosive final 10 minutes in the first leg of the play-off quarter final; Steelers headed into the second one with a 5-2 advantage. The team news was the same as it was the night before which meant that Matt Marquardt and Tim Wallace were absentees. For Guildford, they made two changes from the first leg. Chris Carrozzi replaced Brian Stewart in between the pipes, whilst Brett Ferguson was suspended for his check from behind on Steelers' Eric Neiley. Ian Watters was out injured and Richard Krogh was away on GB Under-18 duty alongside Steelers' very own Liam Kirk and Kieran Brown.

Steelers made a stellar star in the Spectrum with two goals in the first 3:22 of the contest to virtually put the contest beyond doubt. At 1:51 John Armstrong scored his third of the play-offs when Colton Fretter and Scott Aarssen combined to set up the big centreman. Then the lead went to 2-0 on 3:22; Robert Dowd and Joonas Ronnberg with the assists and Mark Matheson scored his second goal of the play-offs. It was an even contest, so it was no surprise that Guildford got a marker of their own. With Zack Fitzgerald, again playing winger, sitting an additional minor for interference - Flames well executed powerplay came off to make it 1-2 on the night: Jesse Craige lighting the lamp.

The score was still 1-2 in the Steelers favour as we began the second period, and we then had a quick rush of goals in that middle section. At 21:08 Guildford made it level on the evening when Rhett Rachinski scored but just 35 seconds later, Steelers were back in front when veteran winger Fretter netted from Eric Neiley and Matheson. The on-night lead was extended back to two at 33:44 when Neiley scored with Ronnberg and Fretter getting the helpers. Realising they had nothing to lose, Guildford looked to push and finish the season on a high with a home win and they entered the final period on an extended powerplay given against Fitzgerald for a high sticking double minor.

This extended powerplay proved very fruitful as it helped them back onto parity on the night with Ben Davies and Kruise Reddick scoring. By the time Reddick there was still 17 minutes left in the game, could the Flames do the unthinkable and pull it back further which might leaving the play-off trophy holders on the brink? As much as they did try, it proved to be a mountain they just couldn't scale and that margin in the final stages of the first leg proved to be ultimately pivotal for the Steelers. However, the Flames finished a hugely successful opening season in the EIHL on a winning note. With Carrozzi sacrificed for an extra skater, Flames pushed and Davies scored his second of the night for a 5-4 scoreline. Despite Ronnberg leaving blooded, Steelers saw the remaining 38 seconds out and a place in the final four where they will face old foes Nottingham in the second semi-final.

Time for the statistics:

Goals: Flames 5 Steelers 4 (7-9 on aggregate)

Steelers Scoring: Fretter 1+2, Matheson 1+1, Neiley 1+1, Ronnberg 0+2, Armstrong 1+0, Aarssen 0+1, Dowd 0+1.

Flames Scoring: Ackered 0+3, Davies 2+0, Reddick 1+1, Lidhammar 0+2, Walker 0+2, Craige 1+0, Reddick 1+0, Campbell 0+1, Dunbar 0+1.

Shots On Goal:  Steelers 27 Flames 43 

Powerplay: Steelers 0 from 2 (0% conversion), Flames 3 from 8 (38% conversion)

Penalty Minutes called: Steelers 20 Flames 8

Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 38 Saves (68), GAA: 5.00 (3.50), Save Percentage: 88.40% (90.70%). 

Big John douses the Flames

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%). 

From The Editor's Chair - Edition 53

Welcome everyone to the view "From The Editor's Chair". In this particular edition, Mark looks at each of the quarter-finals. It's time for play-off hockey everybody. 

Cardiff Devils (1) v Coventry Blaze (8): For me this is the most clear cut of the match-ups and I don't think many will disagree. Whilst the Blaze, who squeaked into the final eight because of the Clan's inadequacies, have a tendency to give the Devils a game and a bit: they lack the firepower to deny the Devils a place in the final four. Devils will ultimately be too strong and should secure their place with ease.

Key Players: Joey Martin (Devils), Jordan Pietrus (Blaze)

Manchester Storm (2) v Fife Flyers (7): Storm have had an excellent season, their first under the coaching of former Steelers and Clan Head Coach Ryan Finnerty. They have ability in all areas and can play with an edge as well beat you with skill. Fife have had an equally good season themselves but if Andy Iles is still unfit then that will make Storm's chances greater as much as Jordan Marr has been a capable enough deputy.

Key Players: Mike Hammond (Storm), Chase Schaber - should Iles be unfit to play (Flyers)

Sheffield Steelers (3) v Guildford Flames (6): Steelers go into the defence of their play-off trophy in good form indeed, having won their last four games. They will have the luxury of possibly being able to sit two imports and in Eric Neiley, have a man playing red hot. Flames have acquitted themselves well in their debut EIHL season, and if they can keep leg one close then will fancy their chances for an upset. But Steelers should do it.

Key Players: Eric Neiley (Steelers), Brian Stewart (Flames)

Nottingham Panthers (4) v Belfast Giants (5): After losing their way from December onwards, Panthers have started to perform especially when news broke that this would be Corey Neilson and David Clarke's final season apiece. And in play-off hockey they're usually pretty good too. Giants can blow hot and cold too but do have enough about them to ensure there is no fairy tale finish. This one could easily go either way, too close to call.

Key Players: Alexander Mokshantsev (Panthers), Sèbastian Sylvestre (Giants)

How do you see them unfolding?

Mark

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Big Match Preview: Play-Off Quarter Final v Guildford

Welcome to our preview of the next Sheffield Steelers games.

The regular season is done with, it's now time for Play-Off hockey as the Steelers start their defence of the Play-Off title which they won in such dramatic circumstances in Nottingham last April.

Their quarter-final opponent this season is the following team:

After finishing third in the regular season, Steelers face sixth placed Guildford in the quarter-final and it's a potentially difficult task as the Flames have more than enough about them to send the Steelers packing at the first knockout stage. They have the enigma that is Brian Stewart in between the pipes, who was part of the Coventry Blaze side that defeated the Steelers in the 2014-15 Final. Also in the Flames roster is Geoff Walker, a double scorer for the Steelers in that afore-mentioned dramatic Final last season.

Steelers have no major injury worries and welcome back both Mathieu Roy and Andreas Jämtin who are both available for selection which would give Head Coach Paul Thompson which imports to rest as he can only ice a maximum of 14 per game. Steelers have 16 on their books, hence a lot of people are already deliberating who will be the unfortunate ones. It's the biggest decision making exercise for Thompson and he has to get this spot on if the Steelers want to make the final four for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

The first leg is in Sheffield, and the return in Surrey on the Sunday. Steelers will need to build a decent advantage to give them the best possible chance.

My prediction? Steelers to make the final four by a three goal swing on aggregate. What about you?

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Semi Final for Steelers as Stars sent packing

Welcome to our main match report from last night's Challenge Cup game against the Dundee Stars.

On a rare Tuesday night, the Steelers played their quarter-final second leg against the Dundee Stars. Steelers had taken a massive step towards clinching a semi-final berth with a 7-2 win in Tayside last week, but were looking to pick themselves up after a zero point weekend in the league. The team news saw Steelers not ice either Levi Nelson nor Kieran Brown. Cole Shudra started off in defence and defenceman Mark Matheson iced as a centre. Ervins Mustukovs started off the game in between the pipes. Omar Pacha's side were without Cameron McGiffin and Taylor Dickin who both left the club on Monday, as well as former Steeler Chris Lawrence and Swede Johan Andersson.

Steelers controlled the game from start to finish but some stubborn resistance from the Stars meant the deadlock remained unbroken until two and half minutes before the end of the second period; but what a goal it was though. Some absolutely ridiculous skill from new Finnish defenceman Miika Franssila saw him scythe his way through the Stars defence like a knife through hot butter; and then leave Travis Fullerton floundering before tucking the puck into the empty net for his first ever Steelers goal. A goal of the season candidate already. Prior to that we had a fight, Robert Dowd went through with a check that Anthony Mastrodicasa took exception to. Someone should have told Mastrodicasa that Dowd is not to be messed with, the former's team mate Riley Stadel knows this, and in the resultant scrap Dowdy again took charge.

The second goal came with just 14 seconds of the same second period left, Matt Marquardt finishing off a great move created by Dowd and Liam Kirk to score his 12th of the season. That made it 9-2 on aggregate and you couldn't see any further way back into the tie for the visitors. The final period saw Steelers give Mustukovs the rest of the night off as Brad Day was given some much welcomed ice time. It became 3-0 on the night just 73 seconds into the final twenty, Marquardt scoring his second of the game and 13th of the season on a breakaway after Andreas Jämtin had carved open the Stars defence. At 44:29 the lead was extended further when a wrister from Zack Fitzgerald (still playing with a face guard) found it's way home but it was one that Fullerton would be embarrassed to see over and over again. It was Fitzy's first of the season.

That Fitzgerald goal was also to spell the end of Fullerton's night as he made way for Craig Holland who would ice for the remaining 15 and a half minutes. Steelers obviously sensed more goals were to come and added their fifth at 47:18. Mastrodicasa was serving a slashing minor and just 11 seconds into that powerplay, Ben O'Connor put one on goal and Mathieu Roy in his usual position got the decisive tip to defeat Holland. It was the King's 10th of the season. A sixth came before 50 minutes play, a left shot from left circle by O'Connor eluded Holland and found its way in. Benny's seventh of the season. As the game petered out, we had a second fight of the night - Pacha rubbing up Colton Fretter the wrong way and getting a taste of his own medicine. Stars did however score the final goal of the tie, just like they did with the first, Justin Fox with a nice finish with 76 seconds left in the game to ruin the double shutout.

So Steelers advance 13-2 on aggregate, and now await the winners of the Cardiff-Guildford quarter final.

Time for the statistics:

Goals: Steelers 6 Stars 1 

Steelers Scoring: Westerling 0+3, Marquardt 2+0, Roy 1+1, O'Connor 1+1, Matheson 0+2, Franssila 1+0, Fitzgerald 1+0, Aarssen 0+1, Jämtin 0+1, Kirk 0+1, Dowd 0+1.
Stars Scoring: Fox 1+0, Mimar 0+1, Lévesque 0+1.

Shots On Goal:  Steelers 39 Stars 15

Powerplay: Steelers 1 from 4 (25% conversion), Stars 0 from 5 (0% conversion)

Penalty Minutes called: Steelers 22 Stars 40

Steelers Goaltender Stats: Mustukovs 13 Saves (186), GAA: 0.00 (2.25), Save Percentage: 100.00% (92.50%). Day 1 Save (33), GAA: 3.00 (2.18), Save Percentage: 50.00% (91.70%)

Man of the Match: Matt Marquardt (Steelers), Justin Fox (Stars)

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