Steeldogs 4-3 Raiders
It was a tightly contested game as the Sheffield Steeldogs faced the Romford Raiders in an action-packed encounter.
The first period saw limited scoring chances, with the only notable moment a penalty against David Phillips at 7:33 for unsportsmanlike conduct, as both sides battled for control.
Before the second period got underway, the Steeldogs were forced into a change in goal, with Brady Parker unable to continue. Dmitri Zimozdra stepped in to take over netminding duties for the remainder of the game.
Early in the second period, Romford were penalised twice, first for hooking at 23:16 and then for cross checking at 31:59. The Steeldogs made them pay on the latter advantage, with Jonathan Phillips scoring a power-play goal at 32:53, assisted by CJ Garcia and Walker Sommer.
Shortly after, Brady Doxey was penalised for interference at 33:24, but Sheffield continued to push. Kyle Watson extended the lead at 38:33, assisted by Ivan Björkly-Nordström and Nathan Ripley, before Bair Gendunov added another at 39:33, assisted by Sommer and Philips, giving the Steeldogs a strong advantage heading into the final period.
Before the third period, the Steeldogs were dealt another setback as Brady Doxey was also forced to sit out the remainder of the game.
Romford mounted a comeback in the third. Goals from Andrew Coxhead at 48:53, Jarrett Baker at 50:42, and Jake Sylvester at 52:43 brought the game level and shifted momentum in favour of the visitors.
However, the Steeldogs responded at 55:02, with Jonathan Phi;lips netting his second of the night, assisted by Gendunov and Sommer, to restore Sheffield’s lead.
Despite late pressure from Romford, including a timeout at 59:43, the Steeldogs held firm to secure an important victory.
The Puck Stop Sheffield Steeldogs will be in Coventry next weekend for the Final Four weekend. The team now awaits confirmation of their opponent, with Group B results this weekend set to determine who they will face.
Stay tuned as the playoff picture becomes clearer ahead of a huge weekend of hockey.