Sheffield Steeldogs 5 - 5 Hull Stingrays
The Excel Hull Stingrays received a thorough test in their third warm-up match of the season, resulting in an incident-packed 5-5 tie against the Sheffield Steeldogs.
The Excel Hull Stingrays received a thorough test in their third warm-up match of the season, resulting in an incident-packed 5-5 tie against the Sheffield Steeldogs.
The Stingrays, missing the injured Jack Watkins, began the scoring at iceSheffield with an unassisted goal from Jason Silverthorn.
Early on in the first period, Stingrays starting netminder Christian Boucher left the ice after needing stitches to a facial injury, with backup Andy Brummitt taking his place for the remainder of the game.
At 09.09, Stingrays forward Derek Campbell was given a match penalty for spearing, with Steeldogs Brit Greg Wood receiving a ten minute misconduct penalty at the same time.
The Steeldogs equalized at 11.30 through talented Latvian Janis Ozolins, and then fellow countryman Edgars Bebris gave the home side the lead at 16.31, with former Stingray Pavel Gomenyuk picking up an assist.
The Stingrays tied the game at 2-2 early on in the second period, with Dominic Osman firing home at 21.27.
This appeared to unsettle the home side, and the Stingrays punished them with 2 powerplay goals at 23.09 and 33.05, both from reprieved forward Matty Davies.
An immediate response from the Steeldogs came at 34.41 when Chris Sykes scored to make it 3-4, showing that Andre Payette’s EPL side will be no pushovers this season.
The Stingrays swiftly restored their two goal lead however, with Sam McCluskey’s shot from the point finding a way past Ben Bowns in the Steeldogs net at 35.38.
A goal from Greg Wood at 38.08 pulled the Steeldogs right back into the game, setting up the third period nicely.
After just fourteen seconds of the final period the Steeldogs drew level, with Ozolins rounding off the night’s scoring to make it 5-5 at the final buzzer.
