Monday 27th February 2012



Sheffield Steelers came from behind to beat the Fife Flyers 5-3 in Scotland on Saturday evening, then Ryan Finnerty led the way on Sunday, scoring twice in a 7-0 win over Edinburgh Capital as his side completed a 4 point weekend to stay right in the title race with the Belfast Giants - whom they play on Friday evening at the Motorpoint (Sheffield) Arena.



In Saturday's game at Fife Flyers, Luke Fulghum scored twice with further strikes from Colt King, Jason Hewitt and Jeff Legue.

The visitors had to fight all the way in this one to take the points. Three goals in the final period turned a defeat into a much-needed win after their loss the night before. This keeps them on the tail of Belfast as they try to win the league for a second consecutive year.

After a goalless first period, the game burst into life in the second. A powerplay goal from Danny Stewart put the Flyers in front at 22.20. They then doubled their lead with another powerplay goal this time from Frantisek Bakrlik at 28.47.

The Steelers then got themselves going as they tied it up with two goals in as many minutes. The first of these came from Jason Hewitt at 30.05 and then Luke Fulghum on the powerplay at 32.15.

However, Danny Stewart was to have the final say in the period as he netted on the powerplay again at 34.45 to give the home side a 3-2 lead.

Sheffield were level for a second time as Fulghum with his second of the game found the net at 44.41. Then at 51.56 Colt King put the visitors in front for the first time in the game.

With time running out Flyers pulled the goal tender for the extra man in an effort to take the game to overtime. However, it was Sheffield who took advantage of the empty net as Jeff Legue fired into it at 59.23.

Period Scores: 0-0, 3-2, 0-3
Pen Mins: Fif 20 - She 26
Powerplay: Fif 3/8 She 1/11
Shots On: Garrett Zemlak 43+1 ENG - John DeCaro 31
Referee: Michael Hi

Sundays game at home to Edinburgh Capital was a different story.

Steelers were comfortable victors with strikes coming from Mike Ramsay, Steve Birnstill, Chad Huttle, Colt King and Jeff Legue after Head Coach Ryan Finnerty's brace.

Finnerty took the opportunity to give back up goalie Geoff Woolhouse another start and he was rewarded with a 26 save shut out.

"To bounce back the way we did after Friday's defeat in Braehead was important" said Finnerty, "We played well in Fife last night and came from behind in a real dog fight. Tonight was different! We were in control from the get go. We dominated possession and took our chances well. Geoff did a great job in goal but up front, we were clinical and we needed a night like that ahead of the big game with Belfast next Friday.

"We had goals from all of the unit's tonight, that is important too. I'm hoping that little spell we had when we struggled up front is behind us. These next two weeks will determine so much, where the title goes, what play off pairings. It's important we control our own destiny."

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