The Sheffield Steeldogs, wearing their fabulous playoff shirts started their play off campaign with a tough away fixture in Swindon. Dan Crowe returned in goal, but the dogs were without player coach Ben Morgan, Tom Barry and Jacob Brammer. As expected, Swindon started on the front foot, but Crowe and his defence held firm. A powerplay at 5.57 gave the netminder a little respite but the dogs couldn’t make the man advantage count. A reshuffle in defence due to an early injury to Captain Jonathan Kirk, made the task of getting something out of the game much harder, but it was the visitors who took the lead, Jonathan Phillips, entering the offensive zone still had a lot to do, but he rounded the defence before nonchalantly skating across Marr before tucking the puck home with 2 minutes of the period left. Assist to Walker Sommer. Despite being heavily outshot, a 1-0 lead for the dogs at the break.
Into the 2nd period and Crowe was called upon numerous times to preserve the slender lead, as the home team strived for an equaliser, but against all odds, it was former GB player Phillips who produced yet another superb strike, firing high past Marr. Goal timed at 28.36 Swindon were now under intense pressure to rescue their play off hopes and were given a great chance as two dogs d-men were called for delay of game minors, giving the home team a minute of 5 on 3 play. Just as one man had returned to the ice, Nell finally found a way past Crowe at 33.48. It had been a valiant effort by the dogs to deny them up to now. The dogs were now showing signs of fatigue as Swindon pressed for an equaliser, but again Crowe was more than equal to anything fired at him.
A slender lead going into the 3rd, but with Crowe in fine form and his teammates giving every ounce of effort they had, the dogs were determined to hold on. That hope lasted less than a minute as Swindon found an equaliser but a powerplay to the away team shortly after gave fresh hope of regaining the lead, but it was Marrs turn to stand tall. Play off hockey at its finest as the game entered into the final 5 minutes, Swindon having most of the play up to that point but the visitors looking dangerous on the break, superbly backstopped by the mighty efforts of Crowe. A mix up as the d men tired, led to the parity being broke, along with the hearts of the players and away fans alike, saw Nell get his 2nd of the night at 56.34. The game was finally put to bed with 2 minutes remaining as Swindon notched a 4th.
Lots of if onlys, but all in all, a fantastic effort by the Steeldogs. Crowe deservedly collected his Man of the Match award, one of the easiest calls in ice hockey history, and the home fans graciously applauded him and his team for their efforts as they skated off the ice.
All to play for this afternoon in the return fixture. 4pm face off at Ice Sheffield. Play off hockey has a habit of providing upsets. See you there.
