Sheffield Steelers look to use home advantage to get past Guildford Flames and on to Nottingham
AARON FOX declared himself satisfied with the outcome of Sheffield Steelers’ Elite League play-off quarter-final first leg clash at Guildford Flames - and now hopes his team can use home ice advantage to advance on Sunday.
Despite out-shooting their hosts at The Spectrum on Saturday - particularly in a dominant second period 22-9 - the Steelers ended the night all-square at 1-1.
They now get to play for a place in the final four weekend in Nottingham next week in front of a near sellout Utilita Arena crowd on Sunday.
It was Guildford that opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Jonathan Racine and Tyler Preziuso combined to allow Jamal Watson time and space to fire home.
It wasn’t long before the Steelers were level, though, Evan Jasper cleverly robbing the puck from Marcus Teskink in the right corner before working space for himself to produce a precision top-shelf finish at 11.20.
Steelers dominated the second period, Tremblay coming closest when his effort off a rebound from Brett Ritchie’s initial shot was somehow kept out by Justin Fazio.
Tempers flared at times, first when Steelers’ Ryan Tait and Joona Huttula were sent to the bin for fighting along with Racine and Watson shortly before the end of the first and then later in the third when Tansey took exception to Racine’s check to the head on Jasper in the 50th minute.
On Sunday morning, the EIHL’s Department of Player Safety ruled that Racine was to be suspended for one game for the check to the head on Jasper, ruling him out of the return leg in Sheffield.
“It was entertaining, two-way, physical style hockey,” said Fox afterwards. “I thought both teams competed really hard - maybe we started the game a little slow and then after about 10 minutes I thought we played really well.
“Second period, I think we had 22 shots and didn’t get rewarded - a 1-1 hockey game going home I think we would have taken before the game started.”
Diffley said the Steelers had travelled down expecting a physical battle and they weren’t disappointed.
"Both teams competed hard, we knew Guildford would be physical with us and our goal was to do the same," said Diffley.
"I think overall it was a pretty good effort from us and we're looking forward to the home game.
"We'd have liked to have come out with the lead, but there's definitely something we can build on with home ice."