Brendan Connolly assumes lead role as Sheffield Steelers rediscover winning feeling in Elite Series

BRENDAN CONNOLLY enjoyed a four-point night as Sheffield Steelers returned to winning ways in the Elite Series with a 5-3 triumph over Coventry Blaze.
By Phil Harrison
Published 20th Apr 2021, 22:20 BST
Updated 20th Apr 2021, 22:28 BST
TAKE THAT: Steelers' Rob Dowd lands a hit on a Coventry opponent. Picture: Dean Woolley.TAKE THAT: Steelers' Rob Dowd lands a hit on a Coventry opponent. Picture: Dean Woolley.
TAKE THAT: Steelers' Rob Dowd lands a hit on a Coventry opponent. Picture: Dean Woolley.

The victory saw the Steelers go two points clear of Coventry at the top of the standings, with the two teams set to meet each other again on Thursday night

Aaron Fox’s team had gone into last night’s game at the National Ice Centre on the back of a two-game losing streak and found themselves down early after Tristan Keck put Coventry ahead on the power play at 2.12.

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But the Steelers were level just inside 10 minutes with a power play marker of their own when Connolly opened his account for the evening.

STRIKE ONE: Brendan Connolly, top, equalises for Sheffield Steelers in the 10th minute. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.STRIKE ONE: Brendan Connolly, top, equalises for Sheffield Steelers in the 10th minute. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.
STRIKE ONE: Brendan Connolly, top, equalises for Sheffield Steelers in the 10th minute. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.

The group leaders then took control of the game just after the halfway mark through Matthew Myers before GB international team-mate Connolly grabbed his second 81 seconds later at 33.49.

Janne Laakkonen then made it a one-goal game again 23 seconds into the third period, but Connolly reiterated his importance to the Steelers when grabbing an assist on Liam Kirk’s 48th-minute strike before registering a helper on Rob Dowd’s effort at 51.49 which put his team three goals ahead.

Keck made it 5-3 with a third power play strike for Blaze at 58.16, but the Steelers prevailed for their sixth win from nine games.

Related topics:Brendan ConnollySheffield Steelers

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