The Sheffield Steeldogs secured an important home victory over the Basingstoke Bison in a dramatic and hard-fought contest that saw special teams and late-game composure prove decisive.
First Period
The game opened with early intensity, and at 5:06, Basingstoke’s #8 William Stead was sent to the box for roughing, giving the Steeldogs an early power-play opportunity.
Sheffield capitalised on their momentum at 9:17, when #11 Bair Gendunov opened the scoring, assisted by #8 Walker Sommer and #20 Jonathan Philips, putting the Steeldogs 1–0 ahead.
Tempers flared at 13:10, with Michael Danečko (#23) for Sheffield and William Stead (#8) for Basingstoke both receiving five-minute fighting penalties. Later in the period, the Bison were penalised again at 16:34, with #22 Brendan Sellan called for high sticking, but Sheffield were unable to add to their lead before the first intermission.
Second Period
Basingstoke struck back early in the second period. At 24:25, #91 Oliver Hemmings-Maher levelled the game, assisted by #24 Zack Milton and #15 Tyton Cathcart.
The period continued with a series of penalties. Sheffield’s #46 Bailey Yates was called for slashing at 28:46, followed by #91 Joonas Larinmaa receiving a tripping penalty at 30:10.
At 32:48, Sheffield’s #96 CJ Garcia was assessed a slashing penalty, which resulted in a penalty shot for the visitors. Brendan Sellan converted to give Basingstoke the lead.
Shortly after, at 33:18, the Bison were penalised for delay of game against #89 Thomas Relf, and the Steeldogs responded immediately. At 33:48, #11 Bair Gendunov scored a power-play goal, assisted by #8 Walker Sommer and #27 Cole Shudra, sending the teams into the second intermission level.
Third Period
The Steeldogs regained control early in the third period. At 42:53, Basingstoke’s #8 William Stead was called for slashing, and Sheffield made the advantage count. At 43:50, #37 Kyle Watson fired home a power-play goal, assisted by #90 Jonathan Kirk and #72 Ivan Björkly-Nordström, restoring the Steeldogs’ lead.
The closing minutes saw increased pressure from the visitors, and at 58:36, Sheffield called a timeout. Moments later, Basingstoke’s #24 Zack Milton was penalised for tripping, giving the Steeldogs a late power play.
Sheffield sealed the result at 59:39, when #72 Ivan Björkly-Nordström scored a power-play empty-net goal, assisted by #91 Joonas Larinmaa and #3 Liam Steele.