Sheffield Steelers log vital Elite League point after shootout drama at Manchester Storm
AARON FOX said he was grateful to take something from Sheffield Steelers’ visit to Manchester Storm - especially after such a poor start.
The Steelers were edged out 4-3 after a shootout at Planet ice Altrincham on Saturday, having twice come from behind to ensure they earned a deserved point after 60 minutes.
A poor first period saw them go in at the break trailing 2-0 JD Dudek breaking the deadlock with a penalty shot at 7.21 before Dante Hannoun tipped in at the back post 10 minutes later.
But the Steelers dominated the second - out-shooting their hosts by 14-2 - deservedly halving the deficit through Mitchell Heard’s snapshot from the right circle at 32.55.
Heard drew his team level when he showed great poise to create space for himself in front and guide the puck past Evan Weninger at 37.36.
But the Steelers had it all to do again in a tight third period after Brandon Cutler made a power play opportunity count when firing a one-timer past Matt Greenfield from the right circle just 58 seconds in.
But the Steelers found a way to restore parity again, Brett Ritchie’s speculative backhand on the turn finding a way past Weninger down low to his right to make it 3-3 at 55.42.
Overtime couldn’t separate the two and the Steelers couldn’t find the net in the subsequent shoot-out, with all five attempts being stopped by Weninger, while Cutler scored the only goal at the other end to move Storm to within five points of the Steelers.
“I didn’t like our start, I thought the first 20 Manchester were the better team, they were first everywhere,” said Steelers’ head coach, Fox.
“But I loved our second and third period - especially our second. I think we gave up six shots after the first period and we defended very, very hard and played as a team and competed and were the better team for that last 40 minutes.
“I’m happy that we were able to claw one back tonight and we need to clock points every night right now.
“We play those teams at the top quite a few more times too, so we’ve just got to take care of our own business here and see where things lay in the next month and a half.
“But we’ve got to bounce back on Sunday and find a way to get two points at home.”
The point saw the Steelers move to within two of third-placed Nottingham Panthers, who suffered a third defeat in the space of seven days when they went down 4-3 at home to second-bottom Dundee Stars.
The Steelers host bottom club Fife Flyers on Sunday (4pm – TICKETS) while leaders Belfast Giants – seven points clear of the Steelers with a game in hand – host Glasgow Clan. Nottingham travel to second-placed Cardiff Devils, who are five points clear of the Steelers.