It was a big night in the title races as wins, upsets and almost caused a shake up in the league titles of both the EIHL and EPL.
Sheffield Steelers 1 Braehead Clan 2
It was a Friday night start for the weekends EIHL fixtures as the Steelers played another of their games in hand in Braehead. It was all going to plan when Colt King put the Steelers ahead at he end of the first period but Adam Walker tied the game after the first intermission. It was a tight game thereafter but it was Drew Bannister that broke the deadlock and the spoils for the home side.
Saturday 25th February
Braehead Clan 5 Edinburgh Capitals 4 (APS)
Hot on the heels of their win over Sheffield the Clan headed to Murrayfield for their second of 3 games this weekend.
It was a first period full of action with the Capitals taking a 2-goal lead before the Clan equalised and fell behind by a 2-goals again by the mid point in the middle period. But the Clan weren’t done as they equalised through Wirill and Campbell.
No winner could be found in the extra period but Galbraith and Krestanovich hit the winners in the shootout.
Belfast Giants 8 Hull Stingrays 0
With the Steelers loss the night before the Giants knew this was their chance to take full control of the title race.
After a slow start the Giants got into their strand without a let up. A brace from Dowd and Mason was backed up by goals from Pelle, Peacock and Keefe in a game where nothing went the Stingrays who including mussing a penalty shot.
Sheffield Steelers 5 Fife Flyers 3
The Steelers knew that they couldn’t afford to slip up again but the Kirkcaldy ice rink has not been the kindest on the Steelers. The second period was that slip up for the Steelers as they found themselves goal behind by the end of it.
Hard work and a bit of luck in the third period were just what the Steelers needed and what they got. Firstly De Caro saved a penalty shot before Fulgham and King gave the Steelers the lead. Fife then thought they had saved the game through Todd Dutiaume only for Mick Hicks to rule it out.
A frantic last few minutes from the Flyers did not produce the equaliser but a Steelers insurance marker through Jeff Legue
That win leaves the Steelers and Giants head to head in the title race.
Cardiff Devils 3 Nottingham Panthers 6
It was a run and gun game in Nottingham as both sides racked up the chances. But it was Nottingham took theirs. The Panthers out scored the Devils in each period with a brace from GB international David Clarke.
English Premier League
The Guildford Flames showed the rest of the EPL why they are in the hot seat for the title as they brushed aside their cup final rivals the Sheffield Steelers. Manchester however did keep up the pressure on the Flames with a win in Bracknell. But it is now looking like a two horse race as the Jets went down 4 – 0 to the up and down Milton Keynes Lightning.
Peterborough’s win in Basingstoke was a big step towards their playoff push as Swindon’s at home to Telford also boosts their chances of making the end of season party.
Results
Friday 24th February
EIHL
Sheffield Steelers 1 Braehead Clan 2
Saturday 25th February
EIHL
Sheffield Steelers 5 Fife Flyers 3
Cardiff Devils 3 Nottingham Panthers 6
Belfast Giants 8 Hull Stingrays 0
Braehead Clan 5 Edinburgh Capitals 4 (APS)
EPL
Telford Tigers 2 Swindon Wildcats 7
Manchester Phoenix 5 Bracknell Bees 3
Sheffield Steeldogs 1 Guildford Flames 4
Peterborough Phantoms 8 Basingstoke Bison 5
Slough Jets 0 Milton Keynes Lightning 4
Neil Tucker
www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com
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