Back to Ice Sheffield on Sunday Vs. Solway (4pm)
The DSM Sheffield Steeldogs battled hard in Telford on Saturday night but were unable to recover from a difficult opening period as the Tigers secured a 6-3 victory.
Sheffield found themselves three goals down inside the opening 15 minutes, but strikes from Jordan O’Brien, Dante Salituro and Michael Pelech ensured Slava Koulikov’s side continued to ask questions right through to the closing stages.
The Steeldogs reduced the deficit to two with just over seven minutes remaining and pushed for a late comeback before Telford finally sealed the points with an empty-net goal.
Tigers Make Fast Start
Telford made the stronger opening and took the lead at 4:49 through Eric Henderson.
Just 43 seconds later the Tigers doubled their advantage, Ronny Paragallo finding the net to leave Sheffield with an early hill to climb.
The home side then made it 3-0 on the power play at 14:36, Louie Newell converting to put Telford firmly in control.
Sheffield needed a response — and they found one before the first intermission.
At 15:45, Jordan O’Brien got the Steeldogs on the board, with Maks Maslak and goaltender Shane Owen collecting the assists.
The goal gave Sheffield something to build on as they headed into the dressing room trailing 3-1.
Salituro Strikes on the Power Play
The Steeldogs continued to work their way into the game during the second period, but Telford restored their three-goal advantage at 32:47 when Deakan Fielder made it 4-1.
Again Sheffield responded.
A power-play opportunity gave the visitors their chance and Dante Salituro made it count at 36:57, finishing from Michael Pelech and Jonathan Phillips to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
However, Sheffield’s hopes of carrying that momentum into the break were checked less than 30 seconds later.
Paragallo struck for his second of the night at 37:21, sending Telford into the second intermission with a 5-2 advantage.
Tempers also began to rise late in the period, with players from both sides heading to the penalty box following a series of roughing calls.
Pelech Gives Steeldogs Hope
Sheffield refused to let the game drift away in the final period.
The Steeldogs pushed forward in search of a way back and were rewarded at 52:59.
Michael Pelech finished to make it 5-3, with Jonathan Phillips and C.J. Garcia credited with the assists.
With more than seven minutes remaining, the Steeldogs suddenly had renewed hope.
Sheffield continued to press and eventually pulled Shane Owen for the extra attacker in an attempt to reduce the deficit further.
Telford, however, took advantage of the vacant net.
At 56:52, Jérémy Michaud scored the Tigers’ sixth, with Eric Henderson and Max Dukovac assisting, to finally put the contest beyond Sheffield.
The Steeldogs called their timeout and continued to battle until the final whistle, but there was to be no further scoring.
Quick Turnaround for the Steeldogs
It was a frustrating night for Sheffield, particularly after falling three goals behind so early, but there were positives in the way the Steeldogs continued to respond.
O’Brien, Salituro and Pelech provided the goals, while Jonathan Phillips collected two assists.
There is little time to dwell on the result.
The Steeldogs are straight back into action on Sunday afternoon, returning to iceSheffield to face Solway as they look for an immediate response on home ice.