The Sheffield Steeldogs were involved in a dramatic, high-scoring contest away against the Peterborough Phantoms, with momentum swinging throughout before a frantic finish in the final minutes.
First Period
Peterborough made a fast start, opening the scoring at 3:19 through Dillon Lawrence, assisted by Janne Laakkonen and Bradley Bowering. The home side doubled their lead at 7:27, with Louie Kynaston finishing a move involving Cameron Hough and Janne Laakkonen.
Peterborough continued to press and added further goals at 17:43, scored by Ralfs Circenis, and at 18:33, through Cameron Hough, giving the Phantoms a strong advantage heading into the first intermission.
Second Period
The Phantoms extended their lead early in the second period at 20:43, when Janne Laakkonen found the net, assisted by Luke Ferrara and Dillon Lawrence.
Sheffield responded and began to claw their way back into the game. At 34:06, Bair Gendunov scored for the Steeldogs, assisted by Tim Smith and Jonathan Philips. Momentum continued to build, and at 37:27, Nathan Ripley added another, with assists from Kyle Watson and Tim Smith, cutting the deficit heading into the second intermission.
Third Period
The Steeldogs carried their momentum into the final period. At 43:44, CJ Garcia scored, assisted by Bair Gendunov and Jonathan Philips, bringing Sheffield within one.
Peterborough briefly halted the comeback at 50:23, when Ralfs Circenis scored again, assisted by Morgan Clarke-Pizzo and Cameron Hough.
The closing stages were frantic. Sheffield were handed a power play at 56:33 following a too many men penalty against Peterborough, and the Steeldogs capitalised at 57:56, with Kyle Watson scoring a power-play goal, assisted by Jonathan Philips and CJ Garcia.
Peterborough sealed the result late with an empty-net goal at 59:55, scored by Cameron Hough, assisted by Janne Laakkonen and Dillon Lawrence. At the same stoppage, Sheffield made a final goalkeeper change, bringing Alex Oldale into the game.
