Aaron Fox hails 'vintage Greener' as Evan Jasper double sees Sheffield Steelers through in Manchester
Evan Jasper scored twice for Sheffield Steelers but Aaron Fox was quick to acknowledge goaltender Matt Greenfield
Sheffield Steelers head coach Aaron Fox admitted his side were fortunate to escape Manchester with two Elite League points on Friday night, praising goaltender Matt Greenfield for keeping them in the contest during a difficult opening period.
The Steelers eventually secured a 3-2 victory over Manchester Storm at the AO Arena, with Evan Jasper scoring twice, including the game-winner, but Fox was quick to acknowledge that his side had been far from their best.
"Obviously, important two points. I call that a vintage Greener game tonight," said Fox.
"We definitely didn't have our best, especially in the first twenty.
"To go in after that first twenty at 0-0 was kind of the momentum turning point in the game for us.
"We could easily have been down a couple going into the second, and we were definitely better in the second and third periods.
"I thought we played well with a lead late, and we're probably just fortunate to get the two points."
Fox admitted that his side had enjoyed better performances in recent weeks without necessarily getting the results they deserved, suggesting Friday's encounter was a case of fortunes evening themselves out.
"Like I've talked about lately, I feel like over the last nine or ten games, the games we've lost, I probably feel like we deserved two points.
"So the shoe was maybe on the other foot here tonight."
While Greenfield kept the Steelers in the game during a difficult opening twenty minutes, it was Jasper who provided the attacking inspiration, scoring twice to earn the man-of-the-match honours.
And the Canadian forward was equally frank about Sheffield's slow start.
"That was probably one of the uglier first periods we've played all year," admitted Jasper.
"It was a little bit discouraging after we've been playing so well, but the guys remained positive.
"The group had a good chat between the first and second periods, and everybody knew what we had to do.
"We started playing our hockey."
The response was immediate, with Mikko Juusola opening the scoring following a two-on-one break involving Brandon Whistle.
Jasper then doubled Sheffield's advantage on the power play, finishing at the back post following some excellent passing from Juusola.
Manchester quickly reduced the deficit before the second intermission, but Jasper restored the two-goal cushion in the third period after some outstanding work from Olivier Archambault.
Explaining his two goals, Jasper was keen to give credit to his teammates.
"On the power play, we have some set plays and some set looks. When one look isn't open, another one opens up, and Mikko made a great pass back door.
"On the last one, our D kept it in and made a great play down low.
"Then Archie fought off two guys and put it right through to me. It was a great pass, and I just tried to get it over the pad."
Storm again responded quickly, making it 3-2 and setting up a nervous finish, but the Steelers held firm to secure the victory.
The result gives Sheffield the opportunity to complete a four-point weekend when the two sides meet again at the Utilita Arena on Saturday evening.