Aaron Fox left frustrated in Coventry before Sheffield Steelers receive Challenge Cup boost
Sheffield Steelers’ mood following shoot-out defeat to Civentry was lifted by news of a slip up by rivals Cardiff
Sheffield Steelers head coach Aaron Fox admitted he was disappointed not to leave Coventry with both points before his side received a welcome boost later in the evening by being confirmed as Challenge Cup group winners.
The Steelers took a point from their trip to the Skydome after a 3-3 game through regulation and overtime, with Coventry Blaze eventually claiming the extra point in the penalty shootout.
Sheffield had made the perfect start, racing into a 2-0 lead through Mikko Juusola and Evan Jasper, before Coventry hit back with three unanswered goals.
Brandon Whistle levelled the game at 3-3 during the second period and neither team could find a winner through the third period or overtime.
Fox felt his side had done enough over the course of the night to deserve more.
“I was so disappointed we didn’t get two points,” he said.
“It’s never an easy place to play. I felt like they came hard for the first five or seven minutes and were the better team over that stretch.
“Greener made a couple of big saves and then we scored a couple against the run of play.
“They pushed back, got one back and changed the momentum a little bit.”
Despite seeing their early two-goal advantage disappear, Fox was pleased with Sheffield’s response over the remainder of the contest.
“After that first period, I thought we were very good for the remaining 40 minutes,” he said.
“We outshot them, outplayed them and outchanced them.
“We didn’t take advantage of our power plays in the third. I thought we had some really good looks.
“We gave up a short-handed goal, which wasn’t great, but then we came straight back and tied the game at three.
“We pushed hard and unfortunately just didn’t get that extra point.”
There was better news for the Steelers later on Sunday when events in Manchester confirmed they would finish top of their Challenge Cup group.
Cardiff Devils needed to beat Manchester Storm, either in regulation or overtime, to overhaul Sheffield and claim first place.
The Devils led 2-0 and 3-1, but Storm fought back to force extra time before going on to take the victory in the shootout.
That result left Sheffield at the top of the group and means they will carry the advantage of hosting the second leg of their Challenge Cup semi-final at the Utilita Arena.
Fox admitted Manchester’s comeback had been unexpected, but was delighted to see one of Sheffield’s early-season targets achieved.
“There are no easy games in this league,” he said.
“We get Manchester twice next week and they pushed us hard in the third period when we played them on Wednesday as well.
“I’m happy we were able to finish first in our group.
“That was obviously a goal of ours at the start of the year, so we’re very happy with that.”
The Steelers’ semi-final opponents have yet to be confirmed, but finishing top ensures Fox’s side will have the benefit of bringing the decisive second leg back to Sheffield.
It completed a weekend in which the Steelers collected three league points from their games against Nottingham and Coventry while also seeing their position as Challenge Cup group winners confirmed.