Steelers Fail to Find a Way Past Kupsky
Friday night hockey action as the Steelers travel to Belfast for a top of the table clash with the Giants.
Steelers without Sam Tremblay once again and with Matt Greenfield between the pipes.
Giants take both the first and second period 1-0 for a 2-0 advantage after 40 minutes, Steelers continue their excellent play and pull one back through Stephen Harper. Giants hit a 3rd with 1 second remaining
First Period.
Early chances for the Steelers with Jasper and Balmas busy.
Chances from the outside for both Bo Hansen and Mcfadden in an even start to the game.
Balmas went close once again and Dowd combined well with Tansey for another opportunity.
Giants with pressure as first Conway hits the post and then Greenfield makes a stunning stop to prevent Conway opening the scoring.
Ryan Tait with a breakaway but Kupsky denies, soon after Heard finds Ritchie but Kupsky again makes the stop.
Watling and Tait work well together, Kupsky makes the first save and then another, this time covering up.
Super stop by Greenfield on a chance from Piccinich, moments later he Geta another opportunity as he cuts in from the right wing shooting over Greeners should to open the scoring at 15.16
Conway had another late chance to double the lead but Greenfield made the save
Balmas looking for Juusola, he makes the pass across the crease but Mikko can’t quiet get there
End of the First Period: Giants 1-0 Steelers
Second Period.
Early chance for the Steelers with a 3 on 1 breakaway, they can’t find the final pass and no scoring chance. Diffley next to go close and then Cormier who drags the puck inside but Kupsky saves.
Dowdy drives the net but the puck runs off his stick as he is about to shoot
28.03 and the Steelers take the first penalty of the night, a slashing minor by Jasper.
Tait goes close short handed and a comfortable kill
Greenfield denies Goodwin with a pad save just after the TV time out.
Steelers tilting the ice, creating chances, Southorn the next to force a save, the Dowd and Tait combine but Kupsky has their number. Dowd with a huge hit crates a turn over and are chances.
Then … 38.17 and a delayed penalty against Ritchie, but before the Steelers can touch the puck Bast with a blast that is bar down and the Giants lead 2-0
End of the middle period. Giants 2-0 Steelers
Third period.
It wasn’t going to be for the Steelers but through no lack of effort as they continued their excellent play from the second period.
So many chances with Kupsky outstanding between the Belfast pipes.
Ritchie went close but also drew a penalty, Steelers had their first power play of the night at 46.06 when Bast headed to the box.
Southorn with the first chance and then Ritchie again, but his stick breaks on the shot.
47.45 and at last the Steelers are on the board, a shot from Cormier tipped by Harper on its way through. (2-1)
Ryan Tait makes a pass to Cormier who bursts through on a breakaway, Kupsky again …
Ritchie on a wrap around, Jasper dances the Giants D, still we can’t force the equaliser.
A rare break from Steelers pressure for the Giants, Conway shooting into Greenfield’s glove.
The minutes count down, the chances continue, a late blast from Balmas beats Kupsky but his Lake in the chest. With seconds remaining a chance at the back door for Juusola but Kupsky gets across with an incredible stop
… then with 1 second remaining, Goodwin breaks away and finds the empty net for a final score of Belfast Giants 3-1 Steelers
Steelers Back Home on Sunday vs. Cardiff Devils
Sunday 1st March
Steelers Vs. Cardiff Devils
Utilita Arena
Face Off 4.00pm
Doors Open 3.00pm
Tickets HERE
Sky’s Edge Tickets HERE
