Excel Hull Stingrays 0-4 Sheffield Steelers
The Excel Hull Stingrays were shut out for just the third time this season at home to league leaders the Sheffield Steelers, with Steelers netminder Jody Lehman saving all of the Stingrays 25 shots on goal.
A good start was imperative for the Stingrays however the Steelers came out buzzing and really put the Stingrays under immense pressure before Doug Sheppard slotted home what would in the end become the game winning goal.
The Stingrays tried to break down the Steelers defence throughout the game but left unrewarded as anything that did penetrate the Steelers stern defence was easily swatted away by Lehman. Nevertheless it was a good hardworking performance from the Stingrays who did their best to break down the Steelers.
Further goals from Ashley Tait at 9 minutes, Ryan Finnerty at 28 minutes and Joey Talbot with just three minutes remaining put the tie out of the Stingrays reach.
Best Moment- A Jamie Thompson hit to begin the third period (where was that in the first and second?), an average scrap between Jason Kostadine and Brad Cruikshank.
Worst Moment- The Steelers first goal through Doug Sheppard which set the Stingrays on an uphill struggle, Matt Reynolds going off with ice to his hand.
F Block MOM
Stingrays- Curtis Cruickshank (38/4)- Saved the Stingrays on a number of occasions and was faultless for the Steelers four goals.
Sheffield- Jody Lehman (25/0)- Did what he had to do, though, in truth, the Steelers defence including Munn, Basiuk and Dagenais snuffed out a large majority of the Stingrays fairly blunt threat.
Stingrays Verdict: (6/10) The Stingrays were powerless to the class of the big spending Steelers. The Stingrays defence was solid and yet the Steelers still managed to breeze around defencemen, a praise of the Steelers rather than a critique of the Stingrays. Netminder Curtis Cruickshank saved a number of 1-on-1's and 2-on-1's which saved the Stingrays an undeserved high scoring loss. The Stingrays offence was suffocated by the Steelers defence but continued to work very hard in an attempt to break the duck. Overall, a good effort but in the end there was just not enough class for the Stingrays to chose from in order to challenge the high flying Steelers.
Strachan's Verdict: "Sheffield are top for a reason. They are a good team, they don't have any weaknesses, I can't see anyone catching them. I thought we battled hard and competed well, but Sheffield were just stronger and scored on their chances. We got beat by a better hockey team, they were really good."
SOG: 25-28
PIM: 9-11
Highlights from Steelers TV
