Boy oh boy, Coventry are making their fans sweat in the last few games in their quest for their fourth Elite league title. Having lost heavily last night in Nottingham they almost let this one slip away.

Having gone behind in the first period they then hit four unanswered to take the honours in the first session.

After a goalless second period it looked as though they would skate to an easy win. Sheffield did pull one back early in the third but that was cancelled out. Going into the last five minutes and with a three goal lead Coventry almost blew it as Sheffield hit two in those last five minutes.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal from Matt Hubbauer (29th) at 2.15. But the home team then hit two in a minute to turn it around as Brian Lee (9th) on the powerplay at 3.32 and then Luke Fulgham (48th) at 4.33. Ex Steeler Brad Cruikshank (20th) added a third at 11.56 and Tom Watkins (3rd) completed the first period scoring at 18.51.

The second period saw plenty of chances at either end but none of the 26 shots could be converted and the period ended goalless. Scott Basiuk of Steelers left the game in the 31^st minute as he received a match penalty for physical abuse.

Sheffield cut the deficit at 42.23 as Robert Dowd (15th) netted with a powerplay goal. But that was cancelled out by Dan Carlson (22nd) at 50.06. The visitors got a third goal from the stick of Jonathan Phillips (6th) at 55.28 and then Joey Talbot (38th) at 58.20 on the powerplay made it a one goal game.

Coventry were called on a minor penalty at 58.43 and then inside the last minute Sheffield pulled goaltender Verner to give them a two man advantage but they could not find a way through and Coventry held on to take the points much to the relief of the home support.

Period Scores: 4-1, 0-0, 1-3

Penalty Mins: Cov 18 She 35

Powerplay: Cov 1/5 She - 2/8

Shots On: Peter Hirsch 47 – Andrew Verner 35

Referee: Dean Smith