Steelkings Claim League Title in four-point Weekend
Sheffield Steelkings doubled-up at the weekend
On Saturday both Sheffield Steelkings Para Ice Hockey teams saw British league action on the road.
The Steelkings-A, the Kings, were up first as they took on the Cardiff Huskies down in the Welsh capital.
The first period saw both teams have chances on goal, but it was the netminders coming out on top and saving everything thrown at them. In the final seconds of the period however, the Huskies got a breakaway chance as Tyler Christopher slipped in behind the Kings' defence and gave the Huskies the lead with just six seconds left in the period.
The Kings didn't let this setback get them down though, and a second period brace for Gary Farmer meant that it was the Kings who were leading the game heading into the regulation time period.
Another goal for the Kings came just fifty seconds into the third period, when Ben O'Brien got an early breakaway and doubled the Kings' lead. A few minutes later the Kings scored two more goals to seal up their victory, with Ben O'Brien getting his second of the game and Matt Clarkson finding the back of the net from a blue line shot.
This win over the Cardiff Huskies secures the British Para Ice Hockey League title for the Kings for the second year running.
Final Score: Cardiff Huskies 1-5 Sheffield Steelkings-A (Kings)
While the Kings were busy down in Cardiff, the Steelkings-B, the Stings, were facing off against the Manchester Mayhem in Widnes.
The Stings were chasing a playoff place, and a win over the Cheshire side would all but guarantee it for them.
An impressive first period for the Stings saw them put more than twice as many shots on net as their opponents, and in the ninth minute they took the lead as Jurrian Raa found the back of the net.
The second period saw no goals, despite both teams having plenty of chances. Good defensive work and goalkeeping kept the Stings lead at just one heading into the final period. The Stings wouldn't be content with just one goal though, having lost to Mayhem 3-1 earlier in the season they would want to beat that score to have a chance at finishing higher in the final league table.
The Stings extended their lead seven minutes into the third period when Jurrian Raa scored his second goal of the game. A few minutes later he was given a golden opportunity to complete his hattrick, when the Mayhem netminder was given a penalty for throwing his equipment, and a penalty shot was awarded. Raa deftly converted this chance, completing his hattrick and giving his team the three goal lead they needed. With less than two minutes left in the game however Stings player Joe Gill was given a two minute penalty for roughing, giving the Mayhem a chance to get a goal of their own and tie-up the series. The Stings were determined to maintain their lead though, and less than thirty seconds into the penalty-kill Jake Oakley scored a short-handed goal to make it four goals for the Stings.
Final Score: Manchester Mayhem 0-4 Sheffield Steelkings-B (Stings)