Jasper’s 4 Points Can’t Help the Steelers in Fife
Steelers in Fife on Saturday night after defeat in Glasgow on Friday.
Another disappointing night for the Steelers with back to back losses in Scotland.
Despite scoring first through Reece Kelly’s effort the Flyers hit back with three unanswered first period goals to lead 3-1.
Steelers again scored first in the middle period, Joona Huttula, but again the Flyers hit back late in the period to lead 5-2 at the break
Hope for the Steelers in the final period with goals from Heard and Jasper to narrow the gap to 5-4 but the Flyers hit back with a late power-play goal and an empty netter for a 7-4 victory
The Line Up
Eamon McAdam takes over in between the pipes with the Steelers still without Dougherty, Tremblay and with Brett Ritchie still without clearance to play.
First Period.
Early chances for the Steelers, the best of which fell to Mitchell Heard on a two on one breakaway
05.31 – and Steelers lead, a great Finish by Reece Kelly, his first as a Steeler, as he went top shelf to give Sheffield the lead.
Flyers right back at the Steelers and McAdam pulls off two great saves, the first with his pad and the second with the blocker as Fife look to equalise.
Tansey sets up Mikko but his shot flys wide.
Ducharme off for hooking at 10.29 and the Steelers look to double their advantage on the first PP of the night, a few half chances followed but Fife killed and returned to full strength.
12.43 and Flyers tie it 1-1
The shot from the Flyers was tipped just in front of McAdam by Lucic for the goal
Steelers almost caught when a shot rebounded nastily off the back boards but McAdam was there to quickly react and cover up
Tansey blocking shots, Lucic steps in from the wing after making a nice move, Tansey quickly to take the shot in his chest
15.05 and Ducharme has the Flyers ahead 2-1, a pass from the left wing finds the Flyers forward along in front of McAdam, he goes top shelf for the lead
18.11 and it went from bad to worse for the Steelers, a clean face off win finds Somoza who takes a quick shot that McAdam couldn’t get to
Lots of work to be done in the next two periods if the Steelers are to get anything from this game
End of the first period: Fife Flyers 2-1 Steelers
Second Period
First chance fell to Booth in the opening shift of the period, McAdam awake and make a fine save to keep it at 3-1
Balmas with his first chance of the period but his shot deflected over the glass.
Lucic reacts to a Reece Kelly hit and chases Reece throwing punches, he sits 2 for roughing and the Steelers on the PP (24.44)
The best chance of the PP fell to the Flyers with Somoza going close short handed
28.55 and Evan Jasper makes a nice move and drops a pass to Joona Huttula who fires home in front of the Steelers fans for a 3-2 scoreline
30.29 and Lucic chases down Kyle Watson, throws a punch and then a fight develops, both sent to the box for 5 minute fighting penalties.
Dowdy fed Juusola but his shot gets blocked
34.23 and the Steelers can’t clear a loose puck in front of McAdam, Karlsson got his stick to it first and the Flyers double their advantage to 4-2
Southorn stick handles through but Purboo makes the save
39.39 and the Flyers score a 5th, again failing to clear the trouble in front of McAdam with Porsberger pouncing first this time to hit the net and give Fife a 3 goal advantage as the period ends.
Third Period.
Steelers needed a strong start the final period, and they got it
41.37 and Juusola with great work forcing a save, this time it was the Steelers who got to the loose puck first, Mitchell Heard scoring for 5-3
45.30 and with 3 assists to his name Evan Jasper added a goal, and what a goal as he went end to end with a lovely finish, Steelers back to 5-4 with ample time remaining
At the other end McAdam was still being called on to make the big saves, one off David Booth outstanding.
Heard fed Stephen Harper but his shot was deflected as the Steelers went looking for the equalising goal.
54.09 and the wind was taken out of the sails when Jasper was called for tripping, the Flyers going on the power play for the first time.
55.52 and the impressive David Booth fired home through Eamon McAdams five hole on the PP for 6-4
Steelers pulled McAdam searching for a 5th but the Flyers intercepted and Somoza scored his second hitting the empty net for a 7-4 scoreline
Final score: Fife Flyers 7-4 Steelers
Steelers man of the match Evan Jasper.
Steelers complete their Scottish triple header on Sunday when visiting Dundee Stars 5pm face off