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Unprecedented call gift-wraps points for Sheffield

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A typical Roses encounter, littered with penalties, ended with a 4-1 win for the Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday night.

Robin Kovar was denied early on before Sheffield exerted a spell of pressure on the Phoenix net but Stephen Fone stood firm.  Edgars Bebris then had a good opportunity but could only hit the outside of the post, and on a Phoenix powerplay, Kovar repeated the trick as Phoenix were unfortunate to not take the lead.  Sheffield broke shorthanded but the move broke down as the period ended 0-0.

The drama arrived at the start of the second period as Sheffield import Pavel Mrna received a match penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for gesturing to the Phoenix fans.  On the resulting powerplay, Sheffield’s Lewis Bell threw himself in front of a Kovar shot, which ended up going in for what everyone thought was the opening goal.  However, the referee disallowed the goal for a high stick, despite Bell sliding along the ice to block the puck, and Kovar was ejected from the game.

Sheffield took full advantage and Liam Kirk opened the scoring at 29:57, but Phoenix did hit back soon after as Roman Malinik made it 1-1 on the powerplay after being set up by Joni Tuominen at 32:08.  Sheffield’s lead was restored a little over five minutes later as Liam Charnock converted at the second attempt as the period ended 2-1.

Phoenix began to tire as the third period went on and two quick goals from Bosas at 49:51 and Kirk on the powerplay at 51:49 gave Sheffield an unassailable 4-1 lead.

Phoenix are at home tonight against the Guildford Flames, with a 5pm face-off in Blackpool.