The DSM Sheffield Steeldogs were left empty-handed following a closely fought encounter against the Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday night, with the hosts claiming a 3-2 victory at Planet Ice Peterborough.
There was little to separate the two sides across the opening two periods, with Sheffield showing plenty of determination to respond whenever Peterborough took the lead. The Steeldogs found the net twice and remained firmly in contention throughout the game, but a third goal for the Phantoms ultimately proved decisive.
The hosts made an early breakthrough, opening the scoring at 2:36 through Henry Newell, with Theo Malone and Thomas Norton providing the assists.
The Steeldogs were quick to respond, however, and found their way back onto level terms at 7:08. Sommer Walker got the visitors on the scoresheet to make it 1-1, ensuring Sheffield responded well to the early setback and brought themselves back into the contest.
Both teams continued to look for opportunities as the opening period progressed, but neither could find another breakthrough before the first intermission. The sides headed into the dressing rooms level at 1-1, with everything still to play for.
The second period continued in a similar fashion, with both teams finding the net and the contest remaining finely balanced.
Peterborough regained the advantage at 26:06 when Dillon Lawrence scored to make it 2-1, with Adam Berg picking up the assist.
Once again, Sheffield showed their willingness to fight back and refused to allow the home side to build on their lead. Just three minutes later, at 29:06, the Steeldogs found their second equaliser of the evening.
Dante Salituro finished the opportunity to bring the scores level at 2-2, with Michael Pelech and David Phillips credited with the assists. It was another important response from the visitors, who had now twice recovered from going behind to give themselves every opportunity heading into the remaining period.
With the scores level at the second intermission, the final period was set up for an important finish, and both teams knew that the next goal could make all the difference.
The Steeldogs continued to compete and look for opportunities to take the lead, but it was Peterborough who found the decisive breakthrough. Luke Ferrara scored at 29:39, with Janne Laakkonen and Bradley Bowering providing the assists, restoring the Phantoms’ advantage at 3-2.
Sheffield now had another challenge in front of them as they looked to find a way back into the game for a third time. The visitors continued to work hard in search of another equaliser, but the Phantoms managed to protect their one-goal advantage through the closing stages.
Despite the result, the Steeldogs can take encouragement from the way they approached the contest and continued to battle throughout the evening. Coming from behind twice demonstrated the team’s determination, while their attacking efforts were reflected in the final shot count.
Sheffield finished the game with 43 shots on goal compared to Peterborough’s 37, outshooting the hosts over the course of the evening. The Steeldogs registered 12 shots in the opening period, 18 in the second and a further 13 in the third, continuing to test the Peterborough netminder right through to the final whistle.
Steeldogs Man of the Match – Walker Sommer