Posted on Sunday, September 13th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Sheffield Steelers 2 - LBM Belfast Giants 4
With just under 4 minutes left in Sunday nights clash with Sheffield the LBM Belfast Giants trailed the Steelers 2-1. Four minutes later and a scrap between Pat Bateman and Scott Basiuk had gave the Giants the momentum to seal both points as goals from Evan Cheverie, Craig Peacock and an empty netter from Colin Shields gave the team from Northern Ireland a gritty win on the road.
Spured on by victory Saturday night the Steelers carried the momentum into Sunday’s clash, dominating much of the play in the first. Opening the game with a lot of pressure it was the Steelers who had the first chance of the night as Scott Basiuk was denied with a great diving save from Nathan Craze.
As the period went on the Giants stepped up the pace and were nearly rewarded as a shot from the point by Colin Shields made its way through on goal only to be pushed to safety by Kevin Reiter.
A struggling Giants powerplay was the headline of the opening weekend and this weekend has been no different with the Giants failing to break down the Steelers with the extra man. As Jeff Hutchins & Joey Talbot took penalties for hooking and tripping respectively the Giants failed to set-up in the offensive zone allowing Sheffield to kill both penalties with few problems.
Moments later it was the Giants turn to go on the defensive as Jonathon Phillips broke down the wing forcing Tom Walsh to outreach his stick and pull Phillips back, earning himself two minutes but ultimately breaking up a dangerous play. High pressure from the Steelers once again saw the Giants on the back foot as speedy British forward Robert Dowd rounded Sean McMorrow, drawing a penalty for hooking in the process. With the Steelers unable to capitalise the buzzer sounded to end the period with the scores tied at 0-0.
As the teams took to the ice for the second period it was the visiting team who came storming out of the blocks. First Brandon Benedict was denied on the backhand then Tom Walsh had a slapshot from the point narrowly miss the goal.
It seemed like this early momentum was to be wasted as the Giants gave up another penalty being called for too many men for the third time in two nights. A high hit on George Awada by Jeff Legue however ensured the Steelers advantage didn’t last long as he received a 2+10 for checking to the head.
With both teams skating with 4 men the game opened up and the first goal of the game was created as Tim Cook’s slapshot from the point caught Kevin Reiter off guard giving the man from Arlington, Massachusetts his 2nd goal in as many games. Evan Cheverie and Michael Jacobsen with the assists. Craig Peacock then had a chance to increase the Giants lead to 2 as he sent a wicked wrister to the top right corner of the Steelers goal, Reiter flashing the glove to deny him.
If the Belfast powerplay was to be dismayed at, their penalty kill was something to be proud of as Giants killed Brandon Benedict’s slashing penalty in style. George Awada’s strong forechecking preventing the Steelers from setting up and creating a number of chances at the other end.
After a few choice words from Dave Matsos in the 2nd intermission, the Steelers came out for the third with all guns blazing. With the Giants defence getting trapped behind their own goal, the Steelers levelled the game as Joey Talbot found himself alone in the slot, netting his second goal of the weekend.
At the midpoint of the third the Steelers found themselves in the lead as Rod Sarich reacted to a delayed penalty, picking up the rebound of Doug Sheppard’s shot at the edge of the crease and bundling it into the net.
With the Giants needing a goal to tie the game, Pat Bateman took exception to Scott Basiuk and the pair dropped the gloves with Bateman getting the win. Bateman leading by example got the Giants benched riled up and with 2.13 left in the game Evan Cheverie scored a clutch goal on the wraparound to tie the game.
Thirty seconds later and Cheverie was involved once again, this time turning provider, dishing the puck to Michael Jacobsen who found Craig Peacock alone in the slot backhanding the puck past Reiter for his first goal as a Giant and the eventual game winner.
With 50 seconds left Matsos made the decision to pull Kevin Reiter for the extra man but his efforts were in vain as the puck was turned over and Colin Shields made his way up the rink to seal the game with an empty net goal.
Steve Thornton’s men will be returning home pleased at taking 3 points out of a possible 4 from a double header against last years champions but will now have to focus their attentions on another tough weekend.
Don’t miss the action as the LBM Belfast Giants face of against fellow title hopefuls the Coventry Blaze at the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night. Tickets are available at the Odyssey Arena Box Office or from ticketmaster.ie
Period Scores: 0-0, 0-1, 2-3
Penalty Mins: She 25 – Bel 13
Powerplay: She 0/4 – Bel 0/5
Shots On: Kevin Reiter 36 – Nathan Craze 20
Referee: Moray Hanson
© 2008 Belfast Giants Limited, unless otherwise stated. Imagery © Michael Cooper Photography.
