Night to forget for Steelers in Coventry

Coming only 48 hours after a 3-2 overtime win over the same opponents in Sheffield, the loss leaves Ryan Finnerty’s side nine points adrift of overall leaders Nottingham Panthers, with just one game in hand.

It proved a particularly frustrating night for Finnerty after he was ejected at the end of the second period after arguing with referee Dean Smith.

It proved to be a memorable night for Coventry’s Matt Beleskey for very different reasons, however, scoring two goals in his final appearance ahead of returning to the Anaheim Ducks with hopes growing of the NHL lockout finally being ended.

Steelers actually went in ahead after a frenetic first period, initially going behind to Ross Venus’s third-minute goal before taking a 3-1 lead through strikes from Tylor Michel, Lee Esders and Jeff Legue.

Brad Leeb made it 3-2 at 10.42 and that was how it stayed until just after the halfway point when Dustin Cameron levelled.

The home side got their noses in front again in the closing moments of the second when Beleskey got his first of the night after being awarded a penalty shot.

Steelers – without Finnerty calling the shots on the bench – pressed hard for an equaliser but, after pulling netminder John DeCaro, Beleskey was on hand to secure both points with a last-minute empty-net strike.

Steelers’ next three games are on the road beginning with a trip to second-placed Belfast Giants on Saturday.

After the festive period, Doug Christiansen’s team are five points ahead of the Steelers with a game in hand.

Hull Stingrays await the Steelers on Sunday in an eagerly-anticipated rematch following the last meeting between the two sides which saw the South Yorkshire club win 4-2 after a bruising encounter.

Fife Flyers is the destination on Saturday, January 12, before the Steelers finally play in front of their home fans once again the following day against Braehead Clan.