Steelers close in on leaders with weekend double

Ryan Finnerty’s team moved up to joint-second in the table with Nottingham Panthers, leaving them three points behind leaders Belfast Giants.

After being given a scare by Dundee Stars on Saturday, when the Steelers rallied to run out 8-5 winners, they triumphed 2-0 at Coventry Blaze last night with goals from Jason Hewitt and Jeff Legue.

On Saturday, a struggling Dundee were 3-1 ahead through goals from Jeff Hutchins and Jeff Dolan, with new arrival R G Flath replying.

Steelers took the second period with goals from Rod Sarich and Flath, with Chris Zarb’s strike keeping the visitors in front. Steelers then took control in the third, scoring five more goals through Colt King (2), Lee Esders, Sarich and Finnerty, with Brent Hughes posting a solitary reply for the Stars.

“I guess it was the perfect road game for us,” said Finnerty. “We knew Coventry would come out hard at home, they always do. While they had most of the puck possession in the first period they didn’t create a huge amount.

“That was the best we have played all season. Every player bought in and did their job.”

Hull Stingrays extended their winning streak to three games on Saturday with a convincing 6-1 win at struggling Fife Flyers.

After going behind early to Mike Hamilton’s goal they hit back through strikes from Dominic Osman (2), Derek Campbell, Dmitry Rodin, Jason Silverthorn and Frantisek Bakrlik.

Last night they pushed leaders Belfast close on home ice before eventually going down 3-1.

Darryl Lloyd put the Giants ahead with a short-handed strike at 19.24, but after being outshot 21-3 in the first, Hull more than matched their opponents thereafter and deservedly drew level through Kurtis Dulle at 36.06.

That is how it stayed until Benoit Doucet scored somewhat fortuitously against the run of play at 55.34 when his pass deflected off the un. As Hull chased another equaliser and pulled goaltender Christian Boucher, Mark Garside scored an empty net goal to seal both points.

“We definitely deserved more,” said Cloutier, “I feel disappointed - we should have got a point.

“They got a lucky bounce - it was just bad luck. We showed we can play with them again. Everyone played well.

“Belfast were all over us in the first period but we picked it up and took it to them.”

In the English Premier League, Sheffield Steeldogs had a mixed weekend in a double header against Guildford Flames at Ice Sheffield, edging Saturday’s encounter 3-2 after a shoot-out before going down 4-3 in last night’s rematch.

To watch highlights of Steelers v Dundee go HERE

To watch highlights of Hull v Belfast go HERE