First Period
The Sheffield Steeldogs got off to a positive start on the road against the Hull Seahawks, producing a strong opening period and taking a deserved lead into the first intermission.
With both sides battling hard to gain the early advantage, the breakthrough eventually came at 16:41. Nathan Salem found the back of the net to put the Steeldogs 1–0 ahead, with Bailey Yates and Ben Morgan picking up the assists.
The goal gave Sheffield an important advantage heading into the break, with the visitors looking to build on their lead as the contest moved into the second period.
Second Period
Hull came out looking for a response after the restart, and the home side drew level at 21:29 through Jason Hewitt, who was assisted by Patrick Brown and Ethan Hehir.
The Steeldogs continued to compete and found a response of their own at 34:19. Nathan Ripley restored Sheffield’s lead with an unassisted goal, putting the visitors back in front and giving them renewed momentum.
However, the advantage was short-lived. Hull equalised again at 35:13 through Lee Bonner, with Patrick Brown and Joshua Hodgkinson providing the assists. The Seahawks then edged the second period’s scoring, leaving Sheffield trailing 2–3 overall heading into the final 20 minutes.
It was a frustrating end to the period for the Steeldogs, who had twice found a way to take the lead but were unable to prevent the hosts from getting back on level terms and moving ahead.
Third Period
The Steeldogs entered the final period looking to get back on terms, but Hull made their task more difficult as the game approached its closing stages.
Johnny Cornell extended the Seahawks’ advantage at 54:36, assisted by Jason Hewitt and Finlay Ulrick, before Jack Musil added a fourth goal at 58:16. With Sheffield now trailing by two, time was running out for the visitors to mount a comeback.
Despite the late setback, the Steeldogs continued to push forward and were rewarded at 58:53 when Michael Pelech found the net. Jonathan Phillips and Dante Salituro collected the assists, reducing the deficit to 4–3 and setting up a tense finish.
The late goal gave Sheffield a renewed opportunity to search for an equaliser, but Hull managed to see out the remaining moments and secure the victory on home ice.
The Steeldogs could take encouragement from their determination to keep fighting until the final stages, having scored in all three periods, but ultimately left Hull Arena narrowly beaten after an entertaining encounter.
Final score: Hull Seahawks 4–3 Sheffield Steeldogs.