Sheffield Steeldogs delighted the home crowd with an entertaining 8-5 victory over Solway Sharks, pulling away late in a fast-paced, penalty-heavy contest at iceSheffield.
The Steeldogs made the perfect start, opening the scoring just 48 seconds into the game. Kyle Watson converted on the power play, assisted by Liam Steele and Jonathan Kirk, to give Sheffield an early lead. Solway responded with a power-play goal of their own through Jonathan Yantsis at 1:53, but the hosts quickly regained control.
Another power-play opportunity allowed Bair Gendunov to restore Sheffield’s advantage at 9:06, with CJ Garcia and Walker Sommer providing the assists. Sheffield continued to press, and Emil Oksanen extended the lead at 14:32 after good work from Bailey Yates and Brady Doxey. Solway struck again before the break, Yantsis grabbing his second of the night to send the teams into the first intermission with Sheffield leading 3-2.
The Sharks turned the game on its head early in the second period with two quick power-play goals from Jake Bolton and Liam Stenton, briefly putting the visitors ahead. Sheffield responded well, and Ben Morgan levelled the scores at 34:04, finishing a flowing move with assists from Sommer and Gendunov.
Late in the period, the Steeldogs took control. Jonathan Philips fired home a power-play goal at 37:38, before Sheffield struck twice in quick succession early in the third. Goals from Walker Sommer and Kyle Watson inside the opening minute of the final period opened up a commanding 7-4 lead.
Solway reduced the deficit late on through Bolton’s second power-play goal of the night, but the Steeldogs managed the closing stages well. With the Sharks opting to pull their netminder after a late timeout, Gendunov sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 59:54, assisted by Sommer and Philips.
A strong special teams performance and relentless offensive pressure ensured Sheffield sent the home supporters away satisfied after an action-packed night of hockey.
Final score: Sheffield Steeldogs 8-5 Solway Sharks
Bailey Yates was awarded Man of the Match this evening. Join us in just a matter of days as we take to the ice on New Years Eve against the Leeds Knights! It’s a 1pm faceoff. Start your New Years celebrations with the Steeldogs. Get your TICKETS HERE.
