Rivals’ struggles play into Steelers’ hands

While they kept their Challenge Cup hopes alive with a last-gasp Neil Clark goal in a 3-2 triumph at Hull Stingrays on Saturday night, the Steelers’ league title rivals were busy stuttering in their efforts to land the most prized piece of silverware in the 2011-12 season.

The biggest shock came in Glasgow on Saturday when Braehead Clan stunned leaders Belfast Giants 4-1. Down in Cardiff, second-placed Nottingham Panthers went down 3-1 to the Devils.

While the Panthers regained some ground with a 3-2 win after a shoot-out over bottom club Fife Flyers last night, Belfast could only take a point from their trip to Coventry, who ran out 4-3 winners after penalties. Steelers’ 6-1 thumping of Edinburgh Capitals last night therefore capped what could prove to be a pivotal weekend in the title race, leaving them just four points behind Belfast with four games in hand.

Jeff Legue (2), Lee Esders, Tom Squires, Rod Sarich and Clark were on target against Edinburgh, with the in-form Clark also scoring twice against Hull on Saturday.

“We come out with two wins which is more than could be said of many other teams this weekend, no injuries and a lot more confidence,” said Steelers’ player-coach Ryan Finnerty.

“As I have said before we are far from being the finnished article, but we are getting there week by week.

“It was good to see the goals spread out this weekend with all the lines having success.”

Hull, who pushed Steelers close with goals from Jack Watkins and player-coach Sylvain Cloutier, finally got their Cup campaign off the mark with a 2-2 draw at home to Cardiff last night. Although hopes of qualification have long gone, goals from Jereme Tendler and Matty Davies earned a welcome point, which looked like being two until Cardiff player-coach Gerad Adams earned his side a share with a game-tying goal with just 59 seconds left on the clock.

“I thought we played well all weekend,” said Cloutier, who is still expected to release one of his import forwards at some point this week after bringing in defenceman Kurtis Dulle two weeks ago to help shore up the back line.

“I thought we were unlucky against Sheffield. We outplayed them all night and deserved better.

“We fought all the way with Cardiff and again had the chance to get two points at home. It is too bad it didn’t happen.

“We played strong defensively all weekend and we will now refocus this week.”

To watch highlights of Stingrays v Steelers go HERE

To watch highlights of Steelers v Edinburgh go HERE