Aaron Fox questions controversial winner as Sheffield Steelers lose to Fife Flyers
“I don’t know what more evidence you need to turn that decision,” said Aaron Fox
Sheffield Steelers head coach Aaron Fox believes Fife Flyers’ overtime winner should have been ruled out for interference on goaltender Matt Greenfield.
Fox questioned the decision to allow the decisive goal in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat, insisting contact from Fife forward Xander Lamppa’s stick pushed Greenfield into the net and dislodged it.
The referees reviewed video footage before allowing the goal to stand, leaving the Steelers coach convinced the wrong decision had been made.
“I thought it was pretty clear,” said Fox. “He pokes the stick into Greener’s pads, which in turn pushes the net off. I’m not sure how it goes any other way than that.
“It’s a call that should have come back, but it didn’t.
“I don’t know what more evidence you need to turn that decision. It’s pretty clear that his stick interferes with Greener’s pads and that the net doesn’t come off if there is no extension of the push.”
However, Fox did not believe Drábek, Bjorkung had deliberately set out to interfere with his goaltender.
“I don’t think the guy was malicious, no,” he said. “He was driving the paint and trying to score, but he makes contact and interferes with Greener.”
While unhappy with the controversial ending, Fox also acknowledged that Sheffield had opportunities to settle the contest before overtime.
Missed chances and an ineffective powerplay proved costly in a game he felt his side had controlled for long spells.
“It probably shouldn’t have gone to overtime,” he said. “We had enough chances, a couple of breakaways, Grade A chances five-on-five, and the powerplay wasn’t good and cost us.
“We carried the majority of the play. In fact, our first period was outstanding. To go in 1-1 was tough on us.”
Fox felt the Steelers’ performance became less consistent after a strong start, although they continued to create opportunities in the final period.
“I thought we were really good in the opening period until Fife scored, then we fought hard to tie the game,” he said.
“The second wasn’t our best and in the third we created chances. Did we create enough? Maybe not.”
Beyond the disputed decision, Fox’s message to his players was clear: Sheffield need greater consistency across the entire five-man unit.
“Right now it’s just one guy, and that guy changes all the time,” he said. “It can’t be three guys or four guys. It has to be five guys on the same page and dig in here.”