Brilliant Jody leads Steelers Challenge

Netminder Jody Lehman produced a Man-of-the-Match performance as Steelers got their Challenge Cup bid back on track.

Lehman made 44 saves - 19 in the second period - and two goals from British forward Jason Hewitt ensured back-to-back victories over Stingrays.

After a home win in the Elite League on Saturday, Steelers badly needed the two points in Hull after an earlier cup defeat by Edinburgh Capitals.

Steelers did the damage with three first-period goals despite being out-shot 12-9.

Captain Jeff Glowa hit the post for Stingrays early on before Rod Sarich got the go-ahead goal on the powerplay in the ninth minute with a shot through traffic.

Hewitt doubled Steelers' advantage two minutes later, capitalising on a turnover in the Stingrays' defensive zone which prompted a time-out from the hosts.

Hewitt added his second in the penultimate minute of the period, getting a touch on Shane Johnson's drive.

Both sides lost their discipline in the second period - which yielded 91 penalty minutes - with Stingrays having Cole Byers ejected for misconduct and Steelers forward Jeremy Cornish being thrown out for fighting after decking James Knight.

Stingrays' Jake Riddle and Steve Munn for Steelers then fought with the former being assessed a further 2+10-minute misconduct for instigating the battle.

The home side pulled one back on the powerplay when Knight tipped in Brad Patterson's pass with Lehman left stranded.

Stingrays mounted a spirited fightback but could not find a further way through the excellent Lehman.

Ashley Tait sealed the points for Steelers in the 43rd minute, tipping home from Sarich's perfect pass.

Coach Dave Matsos said: "We had a great six periods this weekend. Even though our emotions took over in the second period we still found a way to weather the storm.

"Our penalty kill was rock solid and I cannot fault the guys for any minute this weekend.

"There is so much passion on the bench and on the ice - it makes my job easier as I don't have to say a lot!"

On Saturday, Sheffield had too much respect for Hull's netminder Ladislav Kudrna to waste time shooting from distance, or without a screen.

They used their hockey savvy; almost passing around the Czech for an intelligent opening goal from Joe Talbot at 7:13.

And the forwards swarmed the net for the second, tucked away by Jonathan Phillips.

The middle session was just 31 seconds old when Shane Johnson scored his first since returning to the club - and his last as he has now returned to his family in Northern Ireland.

Matsos said the period represented the 'total domination' he had been looking for, although the final period went 1-0 to Hull, with Stingrays' Glowa notching a consolation.