Sheffield Steelers vs Nottingham Panthers 3-2 - Saturday, September 29, 2018 – Sheffield Arena - Challenge Cup
Goals from Ryan Martinelli, new signing Ryan Martindale and Tanner Eberle secured the Steelers an important victory and progression into the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup. In front of over 7,500 fans the Steelers came out on the front foot and got off to the best possible start when Martinelli slotted home in the 15th minute.
The Steelers were dominating and their 13-5 shot count in the opening period deserved another goal – they got one with 66 seconds remaining in the period when debutant Martindale scored a real goal scorers goal pouncing on a loose puck to fire past Sam Gospel.
The middle period saw the Panthers on the powerplay when Josh McFadden took a hooking minor at 24.51. Tanner Eberle led the charge on the kill and his determination caused goalie Gospel to turn over the puck with Eberle scoring his first goal for the club shorthanded. The Panthers were struggling to break through the Steelers defence but they were able to in the 49th minute when Alex Guptill was brought down in front of goal. A penalty shot was awarded with Guptill converting to narrow the advantage.
The Steelers held firm as the final period headed towards a conclusion only for Nottingham to score a late one at 57.47 (Gultill’s 2nd) to keep the fans of the edge of their seat for the final minutes. No panic though as Sheffield controlled the final moments to secure the 3-2 victory and move on to 5 points in the Challenge Cup. A man of the match performance from Tanner Eberle who entertained with a great “Eddy” throwing his shirt into the crowd.
The Steelers often get a bad press but I like them. I think it’s not so much the fans or the team but specifically announcer Dave Simms. Never shy in thrusting his own self-importance in other peoples faces he perhaps saves his best moment for when the Panthers went on the Penalty Kill (and that seemingly happened a lot at this game). That was the cue for Simms to scream ‘Taxay for the Nottingham Panthers, a Citay Taxay’ in that annoying accent of his. Aside from that though it was a great night’s entertainment.
Belfast Giants vs Milton Keynes Lightning 5-1 - Friday, October 5, 2018 – SSE Arena - Elite League
The Giants made an impressive start to a three-game weekend with a 5-1 defeat of the Milton Keynes Lightning in Belfast. A game winning goal from Kyle Baun as well as three final period goals gave the Giants two valuable Elite League points. Both sides were set to go face-to-face again the following night at The SSE Arena, before the Giants travel to Coventry on the Sunday. Tyler Beskorowany started in the Giants net and turned away 29 shots with Jim Vandermeer, Matt Towe and Andrew Dickson missing for the hosts.
The Giants dominated the opening period in Belfast and got their deserved breakthrough at 16:09. Paul Swindlehurst skated the puck into the Lightning zone and picked out Francis Beauvillier at the back post to slam home for the 1-0 lead. However, the Lightning regrouped during the first intermission and equalised early in the middle period. Georgs Golovkovs’ shot squeezed its way into the Belfast goal at 24:43, assisted by Eric Neiley. Shortly after Guillaume Gelinas had the Giants fans on their feet when he dropped the gloves with MK’s Neiley. Gelinas executed well, holding off the 5’11” forward and getting an impressive takedown at 27:13.
The Giants regained the lead at 36:23 on the powerplay when Dustin Johner found Kyle Baun in front of goal and the forward continued his rich vein of form when he shot low into the MK net. The Giants came flying out of the blocks in the final period and grabbed an insurance goal at 45:36. Colin Shields initial shot was saved by Killeen and Jonathan Boxill picked up the rebound and fired high into the MK net from a tight angle.
Pat Dwyer then made it 4-1 on the powerplay at 47:29 with a fine finish, assisted by Dustin Johner and Kyle Baun, and Giants Captain Blair Riley made it five on the night at 48:45, assisted by David Rutherford, as the home side made it two powerplay goals in as many minutes. Lewis Hook was named Man of the Match.
Sheffield Steelers vs Manchester Storm 4-3 - Sunday, October 21, 2018 – Sheffield Arena - Elite League
The Steelers were back to winning ways with a 4-3 victory over rivals Manchester Storm, in a stark contrast to the previous night. 17 seconds in and the Steelers were 1-0 ahead when Jordan Owens scored from close range.
At 4.59 the Storm went on the power-play as the Steelers were caught with too many men on the ice. The Steelers however pounced with Tanner Eberle converting shorthanded from an inch perfect pass from man of the match Josh Pitt at 5.50. Into the second period and the Steelers added to their lead when Pitt turned from provider to scorer at 31.07 with Martinelli and Della Rovere assisting.
Storm did get on the board moments later, with Owens in the penalty box Chris Auger scored on the power-play to make it 3-1. That became 4-1 just 8 minutes into the 3rd period when Buzzeo netted with assists from Della Rovere and Gula. But just 31 Seconds later Storm reduced the arrears to 4-2 when Bakker beat Whistle to make it a closer final period than it should have been. With the last touch of the game, Logan McMillan made it 4-3 but it was too little too late, the Steelers claiming victory. Josh Pitt was named Steelers Man of the Match for his 2-point night.
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