Three powerplay goals gave the Steelers the win and ensured the weekend series was split with the Belfast Giants. With Coventry picking up a victory over the Panthers this was a defeat the Giants could have done without if they are hoping to catch the Blaze at the top of the Elite League. 

Belfast had 3 powerplay opportunities in succession in the first period but couldn’t make any of them count. The closest they came was on a breakaway after a neutral zone turnover but Andrew Verner came flying out of his goal with a full length dive to take the puck from Jeff Szwez’s stick.  

Sheffield were struggling to get beyond the blue line and many attacks were breaking down at centre ice. It took a piece of individual brilliance from Jonathan Zion to gain the zone and his skating ability and slick moves dazzled Belfast and his unassisted goal at 14.53 gave the Steelers the lead against the run of play.  

Within four minutes the Giants were back on level terms. A powerplay goal from Szwez at 18.19 was wonderfully taken, moving the puck away from Verner and onto his forehand before flicking home. Conceding a penalty and a goal so soon after scoring has happened to the Steelers too often this season but on this occasion Belfast let them right back into the game. Craig Peacock was called for interference and at 19.35 Kevin Bolibruck crashed the net and scored a powerplay goal from Jeff Legue’s pass.  

Belfast got their second equaliser of the night after a successful penalty kill early in the second period. They were grateful for Shaun Murphy’s fantastic save, sliding across his crease to deny Legue what looked like a certain goal. After the save the puck went down the ice and Pat Bateman came out of the penalty box to set up Szwez for his second of the game at 23.47 and swing the momentum back in Belfast’s favour. 

For the second time though they followed an equaliser with a penalty, although credit must go to Steelers’ captain Jonathan Phillips for chasing down Tom Walsh, taking the puck from him and drawing a tripping call on Pierre-Luc Faubert. On the ensuing powerplay Sgroi went behind the net to set up Legue and he beat Murphy high at 25.57 to put the Steelers ahead for the third time. 

Any hopes the Giants may have had of engineering a swift response disappeared when George Awada picked up a 2+2 slashing penalty within a couple of minutes of Legue’s goal. This allowed Sheffield to keep up the pressure, maintain their lead and although Belfast had the better of the final few minutes of the period they didn’t create any scoring chances.  

Sheffield started the third period on top and after a long spell in the attacking zone the pressure finally broke the visitors. Evan Cheverie was called for tripping and Doug Sheppard scored at 46.27 to double the Steelers’ lead. Cheverie was back in the box less than two minutes later and Murphy had to be at his best to keep the Steelers out.  

Belfast’s only real attack of the final period produced a goal. Faubert scored at 58.58 from close range after Verner couldn’t hold Awada’s high shot but despite pulling Murphy in the final minute they didn’t fire another shot on goal and Sheffield saw out the game with the minimum of fuss.  

Sheffield deserved the two points as they totally dominated the final period and caused Belfast to lose their composure with a constant effort and work rate that hasn’t been seen often at the Sheffield Arena this season. Jonathan Phillips led the charge and his speed, plus that of Dowd, Hubbauer and Zion gave the Giants a real headache and drew the penalties from which the Steelers won the game. The visitors spent too much time shorthanded in the third period, not helped by a too many men penalty when already shorthanded after three skaters left the ice on a line change and four jumped on.  

Bateman showed his displeasure to the officialsand Awada had been agitated all evening and their frustration would only have been heightened by the result from the Skydome. They simply have to beat Coventry next Saturday if they are to have a realistic chance of taking the league title from the Blaze because after tonight’s results the gap between the two is looking like a tough one to close.