A Cracker at Ice Sheffield
A late goal from Oliver Knaggs secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory for the Sheffield Steeldogs over local rivals Leeds Knights at iceSheffield on Sunday afternoon.
Sheffield raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening ten minutes through Walker Sommer and Bailey Yates, only for Leeds to respond before the first intermission.
The game remained locked at 2-2 throughout the second period and deep into the third before Knaggs struck with just over four minutes remaining to settle the contest.
In front of 723 supporters, the two sides were separated by very little, with Sheffield edging the shots on goal 36-35.
First Period – Steeldogs Race Into Early Lead
The opening goal arrived on Sheffield’s first power play of the afternoon.
Leeds forward Samuel Cooper was called for roughing at 8:57 and the Steeldogs needed just 18 seconds to take advantage.
At 9:15, Walker Sommer found the net, with Jonathan Kirk and Dante Salituro collecting the assists, to put Sheffield 1-0 ahead.
The home side then struck again just 22 seconds later.
This time it was Bailey Yates who found the finish at 9:37, assisted by Oliver Knaggs and Jordan O’Brien, as the Steeldogs suddenly opened up a 2-0 advantage.
Leeds responded at 16:23 when Matthew Bissonnette reduced the deficit, Cullen McLean and Kieran Brown providing the assists.
The Knights then drew level late in the period.
Brady Doxey was called for high sticking at 18:02 and Leeds converted the resulting power play, Sam Dunn scoring at 18:50 from Liam Peyton and Kieran Brown.
Despite Sheffield being outshot 18-10 during the opening period, the teams went into the first intermission level.
Steeldogs 2-2 Leeds Knights
Second Period – Steeldogs Turn Up the Pressure
The middle period belonged largely to Sheffield in terms of possession and opportunities.
The Steeldogs outshot Leeds 19-7, but Knights goaltender Sam Gospel produced a strong period to keep the home side from regaining the lead.
Jonathan Phillips was called for hooking at 35:06, giving Leeds a power-play opportunity, but the Sheffield penalty kill stood firm.
The Knights then found themselves short-handed when Liam Peyton was penalised for holding at 36:24.
Again there was no breakthrough, and despite Sheffield applying sustained pressure, the teams remained tied after 40 minutes.
Steeldogs 2-2 Leeds Knights
Third Period – Knaggs Finds the Winner
With the game still finely poised, both teams knew the next goal could prove decisive.
Chances came at either end, with Shane Owen continuing to stand firm in the Sheffield net while Gospel kept Leeds level at the other end.
As the clock moved inside the final five minutes, Sheffield finally found their breakthrough.
At 55:29, Oliver Knaggs stepped forward with the decisive goal, finishing a move created by David Phillips and Michael Pelech to put the Steeldogs 3-2 ahead.
Sheffield called a timeout immediately afterwards as Slava Koulikov’s side prepared to protect their lead through the closing stages.
Leeds responded by calling their own timeout at 59:14 and withdrew Gospel for the extra attacker.
The Knights pushed for an equaliser, but Owen and the Steeldogs defence held firm to see out the final seconds and secure the victory.
Owen finished the afternoon with 33 saves from 35 shots, while Gospel also stopped 33, this time from Sheffield’s 36 attempts.
Both teams finished one-for-two on the power play, while the penalty minutes were also even at four apiece.
It was a closely fought local derby, but Knaggs’ late goal ensured it was the Steeldogs celebrating at the final buzzer.
Final Score
Sheffield Steeldogs 3-2 Leeds Knights
Steeldogs scorers:
Walker Sommer 9:15 PP
Bailey Yates 9:37
Oliver Knaggs 55:29
Leeds scorers:
Matthew Bissonnette 16:23
Sam Dunn 18:50 PP
Shots on goal: Sheffield 36-35 Leeds
Attendance: 723