Ice Hockey: Sheffield Steelers fall to penalty shots defeat to Coventry Blaze

A penalty shot loss at Coventry denied Steelers the chance to draw two points closer to leaders Cardiff Devils.
Guillaume Desbiens - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16Guillaume Desbiens - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
Guillaume Desbiens - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16

But at least the South Yorkshire team moved a regulation point closer to the Welsh.

Tyler Mosienko and Conny Stromberg failed to score in a penalty shoot out in the Midlands, denying Steelers both points.

Ben O Connor - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16Ben O Connor - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
Ben O Connor - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
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Like the previous night, Steelers were caught cold in the early exchanges.

Brett Robinson put Blaze ahead after 99 seconds as Coventry tried to set a winning theme, as they had against Sheffield the previous weekend.

While Stromberg banged in an equalier, at 11;46 Coventry were not to be outdone in the first period: James Jorgensen and Brenden Walker scoring in a six minute burst.

It looked like Blaze were on a mission to make it five in a row against Steelers.

Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
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But Stromberg was on fire - ensuring his first brace for the club reduced the score to 2-3 at 33;28.

Sheffield lost a chance to equalise when Brian Stewart got lost behind his net but they were not to be put off: Fredrick Vestberg making it 3-3 at 48;24.

As soon as they’d got level, Blaze bit back, Carl Lauzon scoring Blaze’s fourth at 50;49, but that was cancelled out by Sheffield d-man Cullen Eddy less than a minute later for 4-4.

It went to penalty shots, Jordan Pietrus scoring the decisive goal for Blaze.

Jonathan Phillips - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16Jonathan Phillips - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
Jonathan Phillips - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
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On Saturday, Steelers fans showed their belief in their side by filling 5,636 seats at Sheffield Arena, for Belfast’s visit.

That belief was tested - but then repaid in full.

Belfast took just 12 seconds to take the lead, through Craig Peacock, and Sheffield looked like they were in for a rough night when Darryl Lloyd popped home a second at 21;49.

The next goal was always going to be significant and thankfully it came from Steelers’ captain Jonathan Phillips, on a short-handed play, at 35;49.

Ben O Connor - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16Ben O Connor - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16
Ben O Connor - Sheffield Steelers v Belfast Giants 06/02/16

That put wind behind the home team’s sails and Guillaume Desbiens, back after a thumb injury, equalised two minutes into the last session.

Five minutes later Mosienko scored the winner, on the PP to make it a better night for Paul Thompson’s inconsistent special teams.

Jason Hewitt put the game beyond doubt with an empty-net fourth.