Adam Rockwood the hero as Sheffield Steelers fight back to sink Guildford Flames in shoot-out thriller
Sheffield Steelers bounced back from defeat to Nottingham on Saturday night to see off Guildford Flames
Adam Rockwood was Sheffield Steelers' shootout hero on Sunday afternoon as Aaron Fox's side staged a dramatic comeback to beat Guildford Flames 4-3 in a thrilling Challenge Cup encounter at the Utilita Arena.
Trailing 2-0 after forty minutes and seemingly heading towards a second defeat of the weekend, the Steelers produced a spirited third-period fightback before Rockwood scored twice in the deciding penalty shootout to secure the extra point.
Goals from Tim Gettinger, Brandon Whistle and Olivier Archambault rescued Sheffield, who twice fought back to level the contest before eventually claiming victory in sudden death.
It was just the response Fox would have wanted following Saturday night's disappointing 3-2 defeat in Nottingham, although his side certainly made life difficult for themselves against a determined Guildford outfit.
There was little between the teams during a physical opening period, with both goaltenders, Matt Greenfield and Brad Arvanitis, called upon to make important saves.
Macoy Erkamps was prominent in the physical exchanges for Sheffield, while Brien Diffley produced an excellent defensive intervention to break up a dangerous Guildford attack.
However, the visitors took control during the middle period.
Jack Jacome opened the scoring after a turnover behind the Steelers goal, lifting the puck high past Greenfield to put the Flames ahead.
Sheffield enjoyed spells of offensive pressure but struggled to turn possession into clear opportunities, with Arvanitis frustrating the home side.
Guildford then doubled their advantage when a quick break through centre ice created an opening for Justin Ducharme, who made no mistake with his finish.
At 2-0 down after forty minutes, Sheffield faced an uphill battle, but a remarkable third period changed the complexion of the contest.
The comeback began on the power play after Rockwood was brought down.
Mitchell Balmas struck the post before the loose puck fell to Gettinger, who fired home his fifth goal in two weeks to give the Steelers renewed hope.
Gettinger was again instrumental moments later, breaking forward on a two-on-one opportunity and forcing Arvanitis into a save, with Whistle reacting quickest to volley home the rebound and bring Sheffield level.
The home supporters were suddenly in full voice, but their celebrations were short-lived.
Cole Sanford restored Guildford's advantage almost immediately, firing high past Greenfield to put the Flames 3-2 ahead.
The increasingly physical contest then threatened to boil over following a hit on Ryan Tait, with Evan Jasper stepping in to defend his teammate and becoming involved in an altercation that resulted in roughing penalties for himself and Ducharme.
But the Steelers were far from finished.
Archambault capitalised on an error from Guildford defenceman Jonathan Racine, collecting the loose puck before calmly beating Arvanitis to bring Sheffield level for the second time.
Neither side could find a winner during the remaining minutes, sending the contest into overtime.
Guildford were handed a golden opportunity when Diffley was penalised, but Sheffield's penalty killers held firm to successfully negotiate the two-minute disadvantage.
With overtime failing to separate the teams, the outcome was left to a penalty shootout.
Rockwood opened proceedings by sliding the puck beneath Arvanitis, only for Josh Waller to respond for Guildford.
Mikko Juusola then produced a superb finish into the top corner to restore Sheffield's advantage, but Mathieu Gosselin eventually brought the visitors level.
The contest moved into sudden death, where Greenfield denied Waller to hand the Steelers an opportunity to claim victory.
Rockwood stepped forward again and, showing remarkable composure, repeated his earlier finish by slipping the puck beneath Arvanitis to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory.
The American forward's decisive contribution earned him the Steelers Man of the Match award, while Ducharme took the honours for Guildford.
It was a victory built on character and resilience, with Sheffield recovering from a two-goal deficit and then responding again after surrendering their initial comeback.
Gettinger's influence was particularly important in sparking the revival, while Greenfield's decisive shootout save and Rockwood's clinical finishing ensured the Steelers ended a difficult weekend on a high.
Sheffield Steelers 4 Guildford Flames 3 (after penalty shootout)