Monday 24th October 2011
The Unison Sheffield Steelers bounced back from a 3-0 defeat in Nottingham on Saturday to beat the Cardiff Devils 5-3 and with it, stay in the Challenge Cup with hopes still high of making the semi finals.
Sheffield Steelers' player coach Ryan Finnerty (centre) in action against the Cardiff Devils
Both Jeff Legue and Colt King scoured twice for Ryan Finnerty's side with Lee Esders continuing his good run of form and also finding the back of the net.
"It's a big win and a big performance for us" said Coach Ryan Finnerty. "We bounced back well from the Nottingham defeat and played a solid game, putting in a full 60 minute effort. I thought we competed a lot better. Cardiff came at us strong and we had to withstand their early period of dominance. Once we had settled down I thought we were in control for most of the night.
"We deserved to be 2-1 up at the end of the first period and when we went 3-1 ahead early in the middle period, I thought we would go on to win more easily.
"That wasn't to be though, partly down to the way Cardiff never gave up and partly down to the way we took some daft penalties and gifted the Devils some power play goals.
"This is a young side we have here, we won't be perfect every night. As long as I get my 100% efforts I will be happy because this team has a huge amount of up side and we will win a lot of games. We have the talent and tonight we showed we have the heart for a battle. I was pleased how we respond after a tough week."
Finnerty hopes that injuries picked up in the Cardiff game to forwards Neil Clark and Mike Ramsay won't prove to be too serious "I'm hoping not" he continued "Clarkie took a blow to the head and Ramsay over extended his hand. Both guys are a little tender right now but we hope by Tuesday or Wednesday they will be both back on the ice and ready for next Saturday's game against Dundee."
The win leaves the Steelers 3 points adrift of 2nd place Cardiff in Group B of the Challenge Cup, though Finnerty's side have a game in hand and are due to travel to Cardiff next month.
"We had to win tonight to keep us in the Cup. We have a game in Coventry next Sunday and two more against the Hull Stingrays. If we can win those 3, then it will set up a great finish in Cardiff and a winner takes all game" concluded Finnerty.
Whilst the Steelers spent the weekend on Challenge Cup duty, both league leaders Belfast and 2nd place Nottingham were going down to the Coventry Blaze. The Steelers trail 1st place Belfast by 5 points - but have 3 games in hand.
Steelers next home game is at the Motorpoint (Sheffield) Arena on Saturday 29th October - face off 7.00pm.
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