SHEFFIELD STEELDOGS held off a stirring third-period fightback from Romford Raiders to reach the NIHL National Final Four Weekend for the first time since 2023.

The Steeldogs’ 4-3 win at Ice Sheffield took them top of the group and means neither they nor Swindon Wildcats can be caught by Group A Rivals Romford or Peterborough Phantoms.

But, as predicted by head coach Slava Koulikov before the game, it was not a simple progression to the play-off semi-finals, even though it looked like being exactly that after 40 minutes.

It wasn’t until just after the halfway mark that the deadlock was broken but, once it was, the Steeldogs pressed their advantage home.

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Jonathan Phillips scored the goal to take Sheffield Steeldogs to the Final Four Weekend in Coventry. Picture: Steeldogs Media.

placeholder image — DOUBLE DELIGHT: Jonathan Phillips scored the goal to take Sheffield Steeldogs to the Final Four Weekend in Coventry. Picture: Steeldogs Media.

Jonathan Phillips ensured the Steeldogs’ second power play of the night wasn’t wasted when he beat Cole Ceci at 32.53.

That looked like how the teams would go in at the second intermission, only for the hosts to score twice in 60 seconds.

Ivan Björkly-Nordström doubled the advantage at 38.33 before top goalscorer Bair Gendunov stretched the lead further with 27 seconds of the second period remaining.

But, as you would expect from a team desperate to keep their play-off hopes alive, the Raiders were not done, offered a lifeline when Andrew Coxhead beat Brady Parker at 48.53.

MOVING ON: Sheffield Steeldogs booked their place at the Final Four Weekend in Coventry with a 4-3 win over Romford Raiders. Picture: Steeldogs Media.

It was the first of three goals in less than four minutes that left the Steeldogs and their fans rocking.

Jarrett Baker made it a one-goal game at 50.42 and only two more minutes had elapsed before the teams were level when Romford’s top goalscorer Jake Sylvester struck.

But the Steeldogs didn’t fold and steadied themselves before seizing the initiative again, Phillips bagging his second of the night with what proved to be the game-winner at 55.02.

Koulikov’s players now have an opportunity to emulate the Steeldogs team from 2021-22 when it went on to add the play-off crown to the National Cup they won earlier in the season.

The following year, the Steeldogs returned to Coventry but were beaten 5-4 in the semi-finals by Raiders.