Business as usual for Steelers as Giants loom large on horizon

Second-placed Steelers remain seven points adrift of leaders Belfast Giants with three games in hand and three encounters between the top two still to come, the first being this Friday at the Motorpoint Arena (7.30pm).

A 2-1 defeat at Braehead Clan on Friday night was not the start to the three-game weekend hoped for by the South Yorkshire club but, they bounced back the next night with a 5-3 win at bottom club Fife before thrashing Edinburgh Capitals 7-0 last night.

Belfast proved their title credentials with road wins at Hull Stingrays and Coventry Blaze.

“At this stage of the season I am never happy to lose points,” said Finnerty. “But nothing has changed for us regarding the title.

“We know where it will be won or lost and that is in the three games against Belfast.”

Finnerty led the way with two goals against the Capitals – now on a 13-game losing streak – with further strikes coming from Mike Ramsay, Steve Birnstill, Chad Huttle, Colt King and Jeff Legue.

On Saturday, the Steelers came from behind twice to overcome a determined Flyers outfit.

Jason Hewitt, Luke Fulghum (2), King and Legue were on target.

Hull continue to suffer from a lack of bodies, going down 8-0 at home to Belfast on Saturday, before pushing fourth-placed Cardiff Devils close in a 5-3 defeat in South Wales last night.

Already running an import short, Hull added youngster Bobby Chamberlain to the missing list with a hand injury he sustained on Saturday.

Jason Silverthorn, player-coach Sylvain Cloutier and Dominic Osman were on target in Cardiff.

“It has been tough for us but we are still in a good position for the play-offs,” said Cloutier. “We know we still need one or two more wins to make sure.

“Hopefully, we can get one or two bodies back next week to help us.”

For full match report for Hull v Belfast go HERE

In the English Premier League, Sheffield Steeldogs bounced back from a disappointing trip to leaders Guildford Flames with a win at home against Slough jets.

Andre Payette’s team suffered a 4-1 defeat in Guildford, who now lead the table from second-placed Manchester PHoenix by eight points.

But the Steeldogs moved above Sunday night’s visitors Slough in the standings after a 5-3 victory.

“Time and time again, our conditioning and closeness of the team comes into play in thirdrd periods and strong third periods are coming to be a habit,” said player-coach Payette.

“It’s going to be a great end to the season, and I am really looking forward to the final stretch.”

RESULTS

Elite League, Sunday: Cardiff Devils 5 Hull Stingrays 3, Coventry Blaze 0 Belfast Giants 5, Fife Flyers 3 Nottingham Panthers 4, Dundee Stars 6 Braehead Clan 5 (SO), Sheffield Steelers 7 Edinburgh Capitals 0.

Saturday: Edinburgh Capitals 4 Braehead Clan 5, (SO), Fife Flyers 3 Sheffield Steelers 5, Hull Stingrays 0 Belfast Giants 8, Nottingham Panthers 6 Cardiff Devils 3.

English Premier League, Sunday: Manchester Phoenix 3 Bracknell Bees 2, Peterborough Phantoms 3 Milton Keynes Lightning 9, Sheffield Steeldogs 5 Slough Jets 3.

Saturday: Swindon Wildcats 7 Telford Tigers 2, Bracknell Bees 3 Manchester Phoenix 5, Guildford Flames 4 Sheffield Steeldogs 1, Basingstoke Bison 5 Peterborough Phantoms 8, Milton Keynes Lightning 4 Slough Jets 0.