Penalty shot agony for Sheffield Steelers at Cardiff Devils

Sheffield, who rattled the pipework on numerous times and had a goal ruled out, can count themselves unfortunate to see the Welsh extend their lead above them to 12 points.

Steelers set off with a notable sense of purpose doubling the number of shots of their hosts in the first period (14-7.) Jesse Schultz, without a goal in his previous six outings struck a post.

But a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty proved costly.

Joey Haddad - not the most popular Devil amongst Steeler fans after inflicting a facial injury on Levi Nelson in a previous game - scored on the Power Play at 22;09. Schultz had another chance on a breakaway but directed the puck wide of Ben Bown’s net.

At the mid-way point winger Colton Fretter buried the puck to make it 1-1. Sheffield hit the pipework again, through Davey Phillips and Nelson was thwarted by Bowns’ pad save.

Thhe champions conceded again when Patrick Asselin beat Mustukovs, top shelf, at 44;23.

Mathieu Roy equalised at 47;24, to set up a grand finale. Ben O’Connor hit the post in three-on-three overtime.

Penalty shots decided the fascinating game, Asselin being the only skater to outwit the goalie.

* Steelers lost 2-1 at Belfast on Saturday, thanks to goals from ex Sheffield players Colin Shield and Mike Forney.

John Armstrong scored a consolation.

RESULTS

Sunday 11th December

Elite League

Cardiff Devils 3 Sheffield Steelers 2 (PS)

Dundee Stars 3 Braehead Clan 4

Edinburgh Capitals 6 Fife Flyers 3

Manchester Storm 1 Belfast Giants 2

Nottingham Panthers 6 Coventry Blaze 5 (PS)

FIXTURES

Wednesday 14th December

Elite League

Sheffield Steelers v Dundee Stars - 7.30pm

(At Ice Sheffield)

Challenge Cup 1/4 Final 1st leg

Manchester Storm v Belfast Giants - 7.00pm

Challenge Cup 1/4 Final 2nd leg

Nottingham Panthers v Braehead Clan - 7.30pm

(1st leg result 3-3)

Saturday 17th December

Elite League

Belfast Giants v Nottingham Panthers - 7.00pm

Braehead Clan v Coventry Blaze - 7.00pm

Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers - 7.00pm

Edinburgh Capitals v Dundee Stars - 6.00pm

Manchester Storm v Fife Flyers - 7.00pm

Sunday 18th December

Elite League

Coventry Blaze v Belfast Giants 5.15pm

Dundee Stars v Edinburgh Capitals - 6.30pm

Fife Flyers v Braehead Clan - 6.30pm

Nottingham Panthers v Cardiff Devils - 4.00pm