The DSM Sheffield Steeldogs were unable to make home advantage count as they fell to a 5-2 defeat against the Hull Seahawks at iceSheffield on Saturday evening.
In front of 851 supporters, the Steeldogs found themselves two goals behind during the opening period but showed good character to fight their way back into the contest. Two goals brought Sheffield level at 2-2, giving them a platform to push for a positive result, but Hull proved clinical in the final period to take all three points.
The visitors made a quick start and opened the scoring at 8:15 through Emil Svec. Hull continued to apply pressure and doubled their advantage at 14:35, with Lee Bonner finding the net to put the Seahawks firmly in control of the early exchanges.
Sheffield needed a response and began working their way back into the game. Their efforts were rewarded just before the first intermission when Jonathan Phillips got the Steeldogs on the scoreboard at 18:01, cutting the deficit to a single goal and giving the home side something to build on heading into the second period.
The Steeldogs came out looking to build on that late first-period goal and continued to push for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off at 36:04 when Walker Sommer found the back of the net to bring the scores level at 2-2.
Sommer’s goal was assisted by Dante Salituro and Jonathan Phillips, with the Steeldogs completing an impressive response after falling two goals behind. Having worked their way back into the contest, Sheffield had given themselves every opportunity heading into the final 20 minutes.
With the scores level, the third period was always going to be important, and both sides knew the next goal could make a significant difference.
Unfortunately for the Steeldogs, it was Hull who found the breakthrough. Bonner scored his second of the evening at 53:05 to restore the visitors’ lead and put Sheffield back on the back foot.
The Seahawks then extended their advantage through Johnny Corneil at 55:46, leaving the Steeldogs with little time to find another response. Sheffield continued to battle, but Hull added a fifth goal in the closing seconds, with Corneli scoring his second of the night at 59:24 to complete the scoring.
