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Weakened Phoenix lose to Champs elect

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Table-topping Sheffield earned two more valuable points in their quest for the inaugural Elite League championship with a shut-out win in the MEN Arena on Sunday night.

Against a Phoenix team missing influential captain George Awada and defenceman Mike Lankshear, Joel Irving gave the Steelers a first period lead in the 14th minute escaping the Phoenix defenceman to score from close range and Erik Anderson backhanded the second goal in the 49th minute.

In a game which saw plenty of physical contact including Stockport prospect Mark Thomas getting the better of Steelers Gavin Farrand in a centre ice dust-up, Steelers had captain Dion Darling ejected from the game in the 45tm minute for a serious crosscheck on Mark Bultje that saw the Phoenix forward need stitches in a head wound.

A major talking point in the second period was a shot by Rick Brebant that appeared to hit a post but which subsequent video evidence clearly showed had indeed crossed the line. An equalising goal at that point could have altered the outcome of the game. Phoenix though failed to capitalise on their powerplay opportunities in the third period when the Steelers fell foul of several refereeing decisions.

Phoenix coach Paul Heavey commented, “we’ve been preaching defence, but it’s frustrating when you don’t score on your offensive opportunities. The first period tonight was not good, the second was better and our powerplay didn’t work well tonight after scoring six powerplay goals in out previous three games. We play in London on Tuesday and that now takes on huge proportions in our bid for a playoff place.”