Monday 11th March 2013
Pic courtesy www.sheffieldsteelersihc.co.uk



The Steelers staged a stunning come back in Cardiff trailing 4-1 after 23 minutes but eventually beating out the Devils 5-4.



Rod Sarich scored the game winning goal 4 minutes into the final session after early strikes from Messrs: Limpright (above), Tait, Legue and former Devil Chris Frank.

Ashley Tait had the Steelers ahead after just 19 seconds but Ryan Finnerty's side then conceded 4 in the next 23 minutes, first period efforts from Gerad Adams and Kenton Smith followed by two quick goals at the start of the second session from Birbraer and Piggott.

It was all too much for the Steelers head coach who pulled John DeCaro for back up goalie Geoff Woolhouse.

Woolhouse would go onto to face 14 shots in the remainder of the game without conceding.

Steelers fight back started at 30.08 whilst killing a Shawn Limpright roughing minor, the Steelers were shorthand but Legue and Michel assisted on Chris Franks' goal.

With the middle period coming to an end the Steelers struck twice in 19 seconds. First Jeff Legue at 39.36 and then Shawn Limpright for the Steelers second short handed goal of the night with Simon Ferguson off for elbows.

With the game tied the Steelers scored the only goal of the final period, Rod Sarich with the eventual winner.

Final score: Cardiff Devils 4-5 Sheffield Steelers.

Ryan Finnerty confirmed the reason he pulled goalie John DeCaro at the 24 minute mark in Cardiff was because Johnny didn't deserve what was happening in front of him.

"Johnny wasn't our problem early on" said Finnerty, "It was those in front of him. Johnny deserved better!

"When we made the change, there were a few home truths told and a few guys had to sit for a while and have a think, a few guys responded like Rod Sarich, he stepped his game up and played with emotion. He deserved to get the winner.

"The reality is, we got what we deserved all game, we weren't great for 20 minutes and Cardiff deserved their lead. We were very poor at the start of the middle period and the Devils deserved their extended lead. After that we played miles better, just like we know we can and we deserved to hit four without reply and win the game 5-4. We deserved the 2 points.

"The reason Steven Goertzen didn't play tonight was purely precautionary after coming back early from injury the night before. I was pleased how Scott Champagne responded. He worked and played hard and had a decent game.

"Right now, I can tell we are thinking Challenge Cup and Play Off's. We have to get our consistency back before those games though."

Captain Jonathan Phillips said that the roasting received by all the players after Cardiff took a 4-1 lead in Cardiff on Sunday was well deserved, but that the team responded well and deserved the points

"Finner was well within his rights to unleash on us" said Phillips, "We started so well, Ash, Fergie and Hewey put in a great first shift and we took the lead inside 20 seconds

"We didn't stop working but perhaps mentally, we switched off and you can't do that at any time, let alone in this building.

"Finner gave it to us good and proper and there wasn't one of us who didn't feel it. We did respond though, we responded well. It was a different team after that.

"Every player showed up and did what was expected. It shouldn't need a coach to tell us in that way but he was right to do so. We deserved it, but as I said we turned it around and we also deserved the win and the points

"We have to build on this result and to be honest the performance on Saturday in Nottingham where we deserved better."

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