Ice Hockey: Stand-in goalie Brad saves the Day TWICE for Sheffield Steelers

Back-up Brad Day, who was second-choice netminder for Sheffield Steeldogs last year, stepped into the shoes of Marek Pinc at the weekend, after the Czech damaged his shoulder 21 minutes into Saturday’s win over Cardiff .

Coach Paul Thompson reckons the damage to Pinc isn’t as bad a first thought, but he may still have to source his third import goalie of the season - no easy task with 14 League matches left in the run-in.

He said it would be tough to find a new goalie, adding: “Brad has come a long way, he was the back-up in the EPL and he’s got better every week.

“Not a lot gets to Brad, which is the perfect temperament you want for a goalie. We are going to need him and rally around him. He is going to have to make big saves.”

As for a possible new import, Thompson confessed: “I don’t think beggars can be chosers. “

Last night, Day was a hero again as he backstopped Steelers to a penalty shot win in Dundee.

He’d been beaten in the seventh minute, six-season Star John Dolan despatching a rebound.

Cullen Eddy’s drive knocked off goalie Trevor Koenig’s helmet as Steelers tried to hit back.

But it was another d-man Jace Coyle who levelled at 32;04.

Then there was an exchange of goals in three swift minutes. Kevin Hart gave the Scots had the upper hand with a goal at 35;06 but Levi Nelson made it 2-2.

Both goalies repelled attacks, Steelers hit the pipework as the win became an overtime and penalty shot lottery. Nelson scored the winner.

On Saturday, Steelers dominated the league leaders for most of the game.

It’s always a good idea to give the puck to Coyle when a shooting lane opens up and the d-man had two good attempts on goal in three minutes.

A charged Arena atmosphere seemed to make both teams nervous - there were errors aplenty.

On the Power Play, Nelson and then Fredrick Vestberg gave the puck away to give Devils short-handed attacks.

Devils struck first, one-time Columbus Blue Jackets man Ryan Russell, rocking Steelers with a goal 17 seconds before the first interval.

Pinc went off 34 seconds into the second period, clutching his shoulder after Chris Culligan drove the net.

Then it became the Ben Bowns show, he blocked Jeff Legue, Nelson and Tyler Mosienko.

Jason Hewitt equaliser triggered a wage of Sheffield attacks - the winger revelling in a regular shift.

The two Bergs Conny Stromberg and Fredrik Vestberg conjured up a goal, before Ryan Hayes scored an empty netter.

Carl Hudson replied at the death for Devils.