Sheffield Steelers 7-5 Coventry Blaze

(Photo - Ashley Tait open the Steelers account on Saturday Vs. Coventry Blaze)

In a game that could have gone either way, a hat trick from Tylor Michel paved the way for the Steelers to pick up the points and take over top spot in the standings from the Blaze.

The visitors got off to the perfect start as Dustin Cameron scored at 1.44 on the powerplay. However, two powerplay goals from the Steelers in the fourth minute gave them the advantage as Ashley Tait and then Shawn Limpright found the net.

Coventry restored equality with yet another powerplay as Mike Schutte netted at 7.06.  The hosts edged back in front with a strike from Tylor Michel at 12.48 and with 41 seconds of the period remaining Jonathan Phillips opened up a two goal lead for the Steel men.

Two goals from the visitors at 26.02 from Brad Leeb and then Shea Guthrie 30.01 made the game all square once again. However, 35 seconds later the hosts were back in front with a powerplay goal from Jim Jorgensen.

Tylor Michel with his second goal of the game at 43.05 gave the home side a two-goal lead once again. Not for the first time in the game they failed to hold onto this advantage as Guthrie with his second at 47.04 cut the deficit to one. Michel completed his hat trick at 58.11 and the two goal lead was once again opened up and that was how it remained to the final buzzer.

Period Scores: 4-2, 1-2, 2-1, 7-5
Penalty Mins: She 23+6+27=56 – Cov 9+4+4=17
Powerplay: She 3/4 – Cov 2/7
Shots on: John DeCaro 15+10+6=31 – Peter Hirsch 12+13+10=35
Referee: Mike Hicks