Sheffield Steelers and Belfast Giants Crush Opponents (UK Round Up 26th February)

With the title race well and truly on in the EIHL there were crucial games to be played across the country.

Edinburgh Capitals 0 Sheffield Steelers 7

The Steelers coach Ryan Finnerty had said that his side needed to be more potent in front of the goal following two less than convincing games in Scotland. Finnerty also gambled by resting John De Caro to be replaced by British goalie Geoff Woolhouse.

The gamble paid off as the Steelers’ dominated the game from start to finish. A brace from Finnerty was backed up by goals from King, Huttel, Birnstill and Legue whilst Woolhouse stayed strong in front of some spirited Capitals attacks.

It was a vitalising victory for the Steelers who needed a boost after two shaky performances.

Belfast Giants 5 Coventry Blaze 0

Coventry returned to the rink looking for some points after their pointless weekend less time out. However Belfast were on again a hot streak.

The Giants picked up a 4-point lead with 13 goals scored and non conceded.

Braehead Clan 5 Dundee Stars 6 (APS)

The Stars – Clan game was the game of the round with the Stars looking to take advantage of the Capitals poor run and the Clan on some good form.

The Stars took the lead twice early only to find themselves 3 goals behind going into the last ten minutes. It was Kolanos, Maclean and McIntosh who netted within a minute of each other to level the scores and send the game to overtime.

No overtime winner was found and it fell to Chris Whitely to save from the usually reliable Jade Galbraith to win the game for the home team.

Nottingham Panthers 4 Fife Flyers 3

The Flyers were missing 3 players in their match up but again the Kirkcaldy side made it difficult for the visitors. But it was the visitors who showed the skill and took an advantage through Benedict and Francis.

It was a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish but a third period double from Gunn meant that the Panthers couldn’t relax.

Hull Stingrays 3 Cardiff Devils 5

The Devils maintained their good run of form to remain in contention for a top 4 finish with a controlling display against the Stingrays.

However it was the Stingrays that took the lead through former Devil Jason Silverthorn but a double from Matzka and 1 from Gerard Adams meant the Devils were in control of the tie.

Hull remained in contention with a Sylvan Cloutier strike but 2 in a minute from Pierce and Scott Matzka (for his hat trick) put the game beyond doubt even though Osman came in with consolation for the Stingrays.

English Premier League

There were just 3 games in the EPL on Sunday night and with Guildford not in action it was a chance for the Manchester Phoenix to close the gap. The Phoenix were missing Slava Koulikov to an injury picked up in the tie at Bracknell on Saturday night but looked to have done enough to beat the Berkshire outfit for the second night in a row. But with 90 seconds to go the Bees found an equaliser that appeared to be taking the game to overtime until James Archer netted his second of the game with 18 seconds left on the clock to win it for the Manchester Phoenix.

The 3^rd and 4^th placed sides also meant at Ice Sheffield with both sides having lost the night before. The Jets took the lead but it was Sheffield who came away with the spoils and leapfrog their opponents into third spot.

The final game of the night was in Peterborough where the Phantoms were involved in another high scoring match up this time against the Milton Keynes Lightning. This time though it was the Lightning who did the majority of the scoring to beat the Phantoms who remain outside of the playoffs but tied on points with the Bracknell Bees.

Scores

Sunday 26^th February

EIHL

Hull Stingrays 3 Cardiff Devils 5

Edinburgh Capitals 0 Sheffield Steelers 7

Belfast Giants 5 Coventry Blaze 0

Nottingham Panthers 4 Fife Flyers 3

Braehead Clan 5 Dundee Stars 6 (APS)

EPL

Bracknell Bees 2 Manchester Phoenix 3

Milton Keynes Lightning 9 Peterborough Phantoms 3

Slough Jets 3 Sheffield Steeldogs 5

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Nottingham Panthers Lay Down the Law (UK Round Up - 19th February)

What an exciting end of the week in the EIHL and EPL !!!

Nottingham Panthers 9 Edinburgh Capitals 0

With the top two not in action the Nottingham Panthers had a golden chance to move back into second place.

After a controlling the game through the first two periods the floodgates opened up. The Panthers scoring 6 times in the final period including 3 goals in the last 2 minutes.

That victory lifts the Panthers over the Steelers into second place. Whereas the loss means the Capitals are winless now in their last 11 games in danger of slipping out of the play offs.

Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3

The Hull Stingrays recent good run of form had seen them lifted higher into the playoffs and out of immediate danger of missing the end of season showdown. However the Devils put paid to that as a brace from Macrae meant the Stingrays would leave the weekend without a point.

Jason Silverthorn’s 57^th minute goal though did offer give the home side a chance in what was other wise a dominating display from the Cardiff Devils.

Braehead Clan 6 Coventry Blaze 4

In a rematch from Saturday night the Clan went to the Skydome. The hometown Blaze had been beaten in Glasgow in that match and another defeat tonight would lift the Clan above them into fifth place.

For such a challenge there is only one man in the Elite League who can step up, Jade Galbraith. In a tight, end to game the Canadian proved to be the difference as his hat trick lifted the visitors to a 4-point weekend and fifth place in the EIHL.

English Premier League

All EPL teams were back in action tonight as after 20 minutes the Guildford Flames gave the Manchester Phoenix and Slough Jets a glimmer of hope in the title race. The Flames were tied at 0 – 0 with the Swindon Wildcats but that glimmer was extinguished in the second as the Flames went on to win 9 -1 and remain in control in the title race.

The Phoenix and the Jets though both kept up the pressure tho with wins over the Milton Keynes Lightning and Telford Tigers. The Sheffield Steeldogs also picked up a valuable win in overtime over the Bracknell Bees who were also grateful for a point. In a tight race playoff race the Bees point may prove important the chasing Peterborough Phantoms also picked up a point in their shootout lose at the Basingstoke Bison. 

Results

Elite League

Nottingham Panthers 9 Edinburgh Capitals 0

Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3

Braehead Clan 6 Coventry 4

English Premier League

Swindon Wildcats 1 Guildford Flames 9

Milton Keynes Lightning 2 Manchester Phoenix 5

Peterborough Phantoms 6 Basingstoke Bison 7 (APS)

Sheffield Steeldogs 3 Bracknell Bees 2 (AOT)

Telford Tigers 1 Slough Jets 5

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

UK Round Up on EIHL and EPL Action (28th – 29th January)

It was a case of who would blink first in the title races and in the EIHL it was also a case of who would make one of the top three blink.

Elite League

Friday 27^th January

Belfast avoided the first slip up of the weekend as they went into the Braehead Arena to face the Clan. It was a ding-dong battle as the Giants first took the lead but then fell behind to goals from Bannister and Wrill before Paul Deniset’s goal sent the game to overtime and penalties. It was GB international Robert Dowd who added the deciding penalty to keep the Giants on track. Belfast 3 Braehead 2 (APS)

Saturday 28^th January

The top 3 were in action on Saturday night and each team knew that they could not be the one missing out on a point.

Belfast especially knew this as they endured a tormenting night in the Fife Ice Arena. Despite outshooting the Flyers 40 – 14 the game wasn’t decided until the third period when George Awada and Aarron Clarke scored followed by the empty night from Robert Dowd. Belfast 3 Fife 0

It was an easier night in the NIC for the Panthers as they took advantage of every chance they got to put up 6 against the Blaze. A brace from Frances and goal’s from Myers, Clarke, Fox and Beauregard assisting the Panthers to a win that looks more comfortable on the scoreboard than in reality. Griffin did get a late consolation for the Blaze. Coventry 1 Nottingham 6

Back up in Scotland the Steelers produced a solid team display to cruise to victory over the Capitals at Murrayfield. Ramsay, Hewitt, King and Jonathan Philips all got on the score sheet, as did a brace from Zembergs to make the score look respectable. Sheffield 4 Edinburgh 2

In Glasgow the Clan’s double-header continued as they hosted the Stars. It was a rapid first period as McPherson got the scoring underway in less then two minutes. The scores looked to be even at 2 a piece at the end of the first but Jorgensen’s goal in the last 60 seconds of the period ensured the home side had the lead and the momentum going into the second. It was that momentum that looked to have given the Clan a commanding lead when Bayrack completed his hat trick. However there was a grandstand finish as the Stars scored through Konkle and with the extra attacker to bring them to within 1 at the finish. Dundee 4 Braehead 5

The final game of the night was a goal fest in the Cardiff Bay Arena between the Devils and the Stingrays. After a slow first period that saw the Devils take 1 goal first period lead the floodgates opened. The second period saw the Devils hit Hull for 5 goals to 1 as they looked to have a commanding lead. However the Devils were left grateful for 2 more goals from Pierce and Adams as first Tendler got his second then Osman hit his hat trick. Hull 5 Cardiff 8.

Sunday 29^th January

With the Belfast Giants not in action the Panthers and Steelers knew they had to take advantage. The Panthers faced the Blaze once again but this time in the Skydome Arena. However the outcome was exactly the same. The Panthers hit the Blaze for 6 goals through 6 different scorers after Owen Fussey had given the home team a lead. Nottingham 6 Coventry 1

Sheffield also didn’t falter in the their second game of the weekend in Edinburgh. The Steelers also posted 6 including a hat trick for Birnstill. The Capitals though did not make it easy for the 2011 Champions as the Jarolin, Hartmann and Holecko kept it a contest till the end. Sheffield 6 Edinburgh 3

Hull and Cardiff also faced each other for the second time this weekend. However it was a tighter cagey affair with both sides struggling to hit the net. There were two goals though in the second period as Kenton Smith gave the visitors the lead before Jason Silverthorn replied just over a minute later. The game ended a tie and it was left to Rodin to score the winning penalty and lift the Stingrays into 7^th place ahead of the Capitals. Cardiff 1 Hull 2 (APS)

The big game of the night however as the bottom of the table as the bottom two played each other with winner moving clear of the other at bottom. Garrett Zemlak was again on inspired form for the Flyers as the Stars threw everything at him in a tight game. At the other end through Bakrlik, Stewart, Samuel and the returning Cohen proved to be difference as the Flyers move off the bottom of the table for the first time this season. Fife 4 Stars 1

So at the end of the weekend the top three are as they were. Belfast, Nottingham and Sheffield whilst it is all change at the bottom as it is now the Flyers who are chasing the Capitals for the last playoff spot.

English Premier League

Saturday 28^th January

Like their Elite League counterparts the EPL title chasers were all watching each other and waiting to see who would blink first. Whilst the league leading Flames were running up a massive win against the Tigers it was a more challenging affair for the rest.

The Lightning were the first to crack as they came away from Basingstoke pointless whilst the Phoenix travelled to Bracknell but missed out on the 2 points thanks to a Smital overtime winner for the Bees. The Steeldogs however did pick up the two points but did need penalties to do so against the Wildcats whilst the Jets returned to action with a regulation victory over the Phantoms.

Sunday 29^th January

The Phoenix and the Lightning were both not in action so it left a good opportunity for the other title chasers to make up some ground. However it did not all go their way.

The Jets faced a quickly improving Bison side that showed they could be the spoiler in the title race for the second night in a row. The Bison taking the win on penalties. The Flames had to battle back from 2 down in Telford to salvage a point as the Tigers took the win on penalties. It was to prove to be a vital point for the Flames though who do now have a 7 point game over the 5^th place Lightning. The Steeldogs though did pick up another two points against the Swindon Wildcats to keep their hopes on track and move up to 4^th in the table level on points with Manchester and Slough 6 behind the Flames.

At the bottom there was a big win for the Phantoms who beat the Bees on penalties to move just 4 points behind them in the hunt for the final playoff spot.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Neil Tucker is all over the EPL and EIHL Action

Hand is Announced as New GB Coach For New Year

It was a busy time in British ice hockey over the New Year period. The EIHL continued to play as did the EPL and there was news off ice as well.

Ice Hockey UK announced on Friday (30^th December) that the new Great Britain coach would be Tony Hand. Hand a 1986 draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers is currently the head coach of EPL side Manchester Phoenix. Whilst Hand is widely recognised as the greatest ever British player his coaching career began at the British National League Dundee Stars before moving on to roles with Belfast, Edinburgh and Manchester in the EIHL before making the move with Manchester into the EPL as well as being an assistant coach to Paul Thompson with the national side for a spell.

Elsewhere there was less positive news. Firstly the EPL title contenders the Slough Jets have released Tom Carlon due to financial reasons. The Jets are currently second in the EPL standings but stated that poor ticket sales and lower attendances were to blame. The forward has been snapped up by the Peterborough Phantoms for the remainder of the season.

Also in the EPL the Swindon Wildcats have announced the signing of former Basingstoke netminder, Dean Skinns. Skinns will play as back for the injuried Thomas Murdy.

Meanwhile in the third tier English National League the Oxford City Stars ENL1 team has been forced to resign. The Stars blamed the fact that 8 senior players had decided to quit the team as the main reason for their withdrawal. The Stars ENL2 side though will continue to operate.

On the ice a busy New Year’s weekend saw the Belfast Giants take a 3 point lead over Nottingham in the EIHL table. However Sheffield remain hot on their heels as they recorded a somewhat fortuitous victory over the Coventry Blaze. Luke Fulgham the former Blaze player grabbing a brace for his new team.

There was also a win for Fife in the Forth Derby. The Flyers beating the Capitals on penalties in the Hogmanay clash at Murrayfield. Fellow strugglers Dundee however lost their tie against Braehead thanks to a Clan comeback. Those results now mean that the Flyers are tied on points with the Stars for last place in the EIHL. The Flyers and Capitals will return the favour in Kirkcaldy on Bank Holiday Monday.

In the EPL it was a bad New Year for those sides at top of the table. Both Milton Keynes and Slough lost their Friday night games whilst table toppers Guildford lost both their games over the period. The Flames however remain on top of the table with a 6 point gap.

Now that you are up to date with the entire goings on in British hockey I would like to wish all the readers a Happy New Year and hope you continue to follow the EIHL, EPL and British ice hockey. I will be back with the game day reviews, Get Real Guide To and some more opinion piece as well.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

Changes a Foot For British Ice Hockey

Following on from the news that 4 time Elite League winners Coventry have hit into money trouble their head coach Paul Thompson has now stepped down from his role as the Great Britain team head coach.

Thompson had taken charge of the national programme in 2007 and under his stewardship the national team rose up the IIHF ranking. The greatest achievement was probably the victory over the Ukraine in the 2011 World Championships when his side beat the home team live on Ukrainian television on their way to narrowly missing out on promotion to the full World Championship group.

Thompson added in a statement that he was leaving the post to concentrate on the crises at the Blaze and leaves Ice Hockey UK with a massive task of finding his replacement before the build up to the 2012 World Championships.

A successor however will be had to come by, as currently Thompson is the only British although Corey Nielsen of the Nottingham Panthers could be a frontrunner for the role. Nielsen although born in Canada did represent the Great Britain team in the last World Championships and his side currently sits second in the Elite League.

Another name could be Rob Wilson who has served as Paul Thompson’s assistant and has coached in the Elite League with Newcastle and is well known in the UK with fans and players. However Wilson is currently in charge of Italian side Neumarkt Egna that will make him an unlikely candidate.

Tony Hand’s name could also be on a shortlist. Hand has also been an assistant under Paul Thompson and has coached in the Elite League with Belfast, Edinburgh and Manchester. Like Wilson, Hand is extremely well known within the game and with the players and was also a member of the last Great Britain team to play in the World Championship group. However Hand is currently the player coach of the second tier Manchester Phoenix and like Wilson would find in difficult to watch the players enough times to be able to pick the best squad. 

Ice Hockey UK may opt for a foreign coach and that could open the door to Doug Christiansen of the Belfast Giants.

Two things are for certain. One is that this is a huge job to fill and is immensely difficult given the time with players and lack of funding. The second is that there is not a long list of candidates with the experience, knowledge, success and perseverance needed to kept the Great Britain team moving forward.

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

UK Round Up EIHL & EPL 4th December - Coventry Blaze Leads the Winners

Elite League

Dundee Stars 4 Nottingham Panthers 5

Nottingham were back in action after having Saturday off facing a Dundee side that were in their third game of the weekend but seeking their first points. The Panthers were also back to full strength with Steve Lee and David Clarke returning to the side.

The Stars started badly in the NIC dropping goals to Fox and Beauregard in the first period. But steadied the ship after in the second scoring through AJ Maclean only for Robert Lachowicz to restore the Panthers two goal lead into the final period.

That lead was then added to as Lepine got on the board just after the restart. But the Stars were not done as John Dolan added a quick fire brace to bring the away side back to within a goal. Only but Jeff Heerema scored the Panthers fifth to ease the nerves but it was still an uneasy finish as Brennan Turner scored to bring the Stars to within a goal with 8 minutes remaining.

The Stars though couldn't find the equaliser and will head back to Dundee without a point from the weekends fixtures. A disappointing end to the weekend as the Stars are starting to be distanced in the race for the playoffs. As for the Panthers they may be frustrated with the performance in particularly their penalty kill that gave up 3 goals out off 3 outings tonight. But it is job done and 2 more points in the title race as far as the Panthers are concerned.

Belfast Giants 4 Cardiff Devils 2

Belfast went into the Cardiff Arena and quickly got over their scoring nervousness of the night before. The Giants played a clinical game and took control either side of the first intermission. Scoring 3 goals in a 4 minute spell that left the Devils stunned.

Cardiff did get on the board late on in the second through Phil Hill and came back to within one as Pierce netted in the third. Giants' nerves though were eased as Adam Keefe scored to restore the 2 goal advantage with just over ten minutes remaining.

The two defeats for the Devils this weekend will concern Gerard Adams especially as they outshot their opponents on both occasions but Adams and the Devils perhaps know that their best shot at silverware will be their cup and playoff campaigns this season. Nonetheless points against the top sides still count as the Devils will look to be in the top half of the playoff tree.

Belfast however will be very happy to take 4 points back home to ireland. The Giants are still readjusting to life without Benoit Doucet but will be happy to know that they can win without him going into Fridays crunch game with the Steelers.

Braehead Clan 4 Fife Flyers 5

It was an edgy and tight game in Kirkcaldy as the Clan looked to seal a four point weekend but it was the Flyers who took the initiative and their chances.

A first period brace from Hamilton was to in the second by Siddall to give the Flyers the 3 goal lead. Kevin Phillips goal in the second kept the Clan in the tie going into the final period.

But Hamilton's hat trick and another from player coach Danny Stewart stretched the home sides lead to 4 in the third period before Adam Walker pulled one more back for the Clan with 9 minutes remaining. That was added to by Mike Bayrack to cut the lead to 2 with 4 minutes to go to unsettle the Flyers faithful. It was Bayrack again who got on the board in the final minute as the Clan poured forward looking for an equaliser. The Flyers though held on for their second win of the season.

Fife coach Danny Stewart had asked his team for wins this week and it was just what he got but it will need to become a habit if the Flyers are to make the playoffs. Braehead will be disappointed not to take the win tonight and know that they cannot afford many more bad nights if they are to finish as the top Scottish side for the second year in a row.

Coventry Blaze 3 Edinburgh Capitals 2 (APS)

Coventry had seemed to have found their form again following their 7 – 2 demolition of Dundee but that form once again deserted the Blaze. The Capitals feeling ever more comfortable in their Murrayfield rink took the lead in the first two periods thanks to two goals from Holecko and Jarolin.

The third period sparked the Blaze back into life with a goal from Kralj inside the first 30 seconds of the third. That was added to by Bakrilk and the scores were tied at the end of regulation. The turn around was completed by the Blaze but only after penalty shots.

The 4 point weekend will steady the Coventry Blaze ship but it will take a more convincing whole game performance than tonights effort to show their disgruntled fans that the Blaze are still a championship side. Edinburgh though will look on tonights game though as proof they can mix it with the top sides but will need to bring that workmanship to the whole game more often as they look to be the top ranked Scottish team.

Sheffield Steelers 3 Hull Stingrays 2 (AOT)

Sheffield may have been the favourites going into the game but they were shocked straight out of the blocks as Tendler put the Stingrays ahead after 20 seconds. But the Elite League champions found their feet soon afterwards as new signing Luke Fulgham scored his first goal for the club and took the lead in the second through Ryan Finnerty.

The third period saw Hull take to the fore and managed an equaliser through Jason Silverthorne with five minutes to go that sealed a point for the Stingrays.

It didn't take long though for the extra point to be decided when Mike Ramsay on his second game back from injury netted the overtime winner with 24 seconds on the clock.

The win means that an understrength Steelers take 4 points from two tricky games this weekend. An important result in the race for the title with the Panthers and Giants also taking the wins.

English Premier League

The league leads Guildford were in the mood to show everyone else that they were back in their unstoppable form as they took apart the Bracknell Bees to notch up their seventh win in a row. Meanwhile fellow league leaders Slough were locked in a battle for the second night in a row with the Steeldogs but the Jets came out on top by a single goal at Ice Sheffield.

Up in Manchester the Phoenix's home struggles continued as they faced the Basingstoke Bison and let a two goal lead slip in the second period to fall by an odd goal.

At the bottom end of the table it was poor final night for outgoing Peterborough netminder Stephen Wall. The Phantoms were on the wrong end of a drumming from a Swindon side that could be finally showing the potential they showed at the start of the season. Peterborough still remain a point a drift at the bottom as Telford fell at home to the Milton Keynes Lightning.

Results

Bracknell Bees Guildford Flames

Basingstoke Bison 4 Manchester Phoenix 3

Milton Keynes Lightning 4 Telford Tigers 1

Slough Jets 1 Sheffield Steeldogs 0

Swindon Wildcats 8 Peterborough Phantoms 1

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

UK Hockey Round Up Friday 2nd December - Drama Off the Ice as Personnel Change

It was a dramatic end to the week in the EIHL as sudden personnel changes shocked the league. The saga started on Thursday night as Coventry Blaze announced that forward Luke Fulgham had left the side with immediate effect. No other details as to why the Canadian, who had been at the side for 2 ½ years since signing from Manchester, but less than 24 hours later on Friday morning Fulgham was in Sheffield signing for the Steelers. The Steelers had earlier announced that defenceman RG Flath had decided not to stay on with the club after his trial period but a replacement is on his way but will not be available until next weekends critical game with league leaders Belfast at the Odyssey. However long term injury hit Great Britain international Jonathan Phillips will return to side for the first time this season at the weekends games. Coventry meanwhile have not announced any new signings to replacement Fulgham but watch this space as Coach Thompson will not be spend long with a short bench.

Elite League

Edinburgh Capitals 2 Dundee Stars 1

The action continued on Friday as the ice as Edinburgh looked to continue their good run of form in Dundee. Against a Stars team that inflected the first defeat in 2 games on the Capitals last weekend in Murrayfield. The Stars took that game 6 – 0 in the Capitals back yard but it was the Capitals that returned the favour by returning to winning ways in Dundee. It was the visitors that took the 2 goal advantage before Dundee fought back late in the second with Lee Mitchell. The pressure continued in the third  from the home team but despite outshooting the Capitals 17 to 7 in the third period could not get past an inspired Nathan Craze as Edinburgh took the 2 points.

The Capitals are now up to sixth place in the league moving over their next opponents the Braehead Clan. The fourth straight home loss for the Stars though means they are 4 points of the playoffs now.

       

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com

UK Hockey Round Up Thursday 10th November

Sheffield Steeldogs 4 – 1 Manchester Phoenix.

There was a rare midweek fixture in the English Premier League as the Sheffield Steeldogs made the return trip to Altrincham to face the Manchester Phoenix. The two sides had met last Saturday in Sheffield with Manchester running out the winners 3 – 2. That victory put the Phoenix only 1 point behind their Yorkshire rivals in the standings going into tonight’s game.

It was however the visitors who started the more lively. First ex Phoenix favourite Greg Wood and then sniper Janis Ozolins gave the Steeldogs a 2 goal lead with in the first 5 minutes. The physical start then spilled over as Gomenyuk and Long went for fighting. But it was the visitors who kept the advantage at the end of the first.

The Phoenix’s up and down start to season did look to be continuing but did manage to start the second the better. The attacking play leading to the puck crossing the line but being washed out by the referee. A 5 on 3 powerplay a few minutes did lead to a Phoenix goal from Harabin but Greg Wood again popped up to restore the visitors 2 goal lead going into the final period.

The third period started even but perhaps it was a sign of the way the night was going for Manchester that when Tony Hand was awarded a penalty it was saved by Bowns in the Sheffield goal. Phoenix continued to press but it was Ozolins again that popped up to score the forth following a Steeldogs time out and put the nail in the Phoenix coffin.

Many of questioned player coach Andre Payette’s physical, hard hitting tactics but tonight it paid off as it has all season. It may not be pretty and is often controversial but this is a Steeldogs team that last season finished 7^th in the EPL and this season look at times capable of breaking into the top four.

Final score Sheffield Steeldogs 4 – 1 Manchester Phoenix

Neil Tucker

www.bluelinehockeyblog.wordpress.com