Flyers Take the Additional Point
The Sheffield Steelers were left frustrated at the Utilita Arena on Saturday night as Fife Flyers claimed a 2-1 overtime victory, with the winning goal coming just 18 seconds into the extra period following a lengthy video review.
With the game tied at 1-1 after 60 minutes, Xander Lamppa struck almost immediately in overtime, but the celebrations were delayed as Matt Greenfield and the Steelers bench protested the goal.
Sheffield believed Greenfield had been interfered with in the crease during the play and also argued that the net had become displaced. A Coach’s Challenge was made for goaltender interference, but after the officials reviewed the play the goal was confirmed, handing Fife the extra league point. The official game sheet records Lamppa’s winner at 60:18, assisted by Victor Björkung and Michael Drábek. EIHL
It was a frustrating conclusion to a tight contest in front of 7,292 supporters at the Utilita Arena.
First Period – Steelers Respond to Power Opener
Following the unveiling of the Steelers’ new intro video for the first time this season, the game itself took a little while to find its rhythm.
Both sides exchanged chances without either taking early control, before the Flyers broke the deadlock at 11:37.
A wrap-around move eventually saw Zachary Power beat Greenfield to put the visitors ahead, with Joona Vainio and Mike Petizian collecting the assists.
Sheffield’s response came just under four minutes later.
Ryan Tait helped create the opportunity before Aatu Aarnio stepped into a shot from the blue line and fired a bullet through traffic and beyond Dominik Groh.
The big frame of Tim Gettinger provided the screen in front and the puck flew high past the Flyers netminder at 15:34 to level the game at 1-1. Gettinger and Tait were both credited with assists.
Former Steeler Reece Kelly was then sent to the penalty box for holding at 16:47, giving the Steelers their first power play.
Olivier Archambault and Dominic Cormier both threatened, but Fife’s penalty kill held firm.
There was frustration on the Steelers bench later in the period when Cormier and Flyers captain Garet Hunt became tangled, with the Sheffield defenceman eventually dragging Hunt towards centre ice as he attempted to regain possession of his stick.
After 20 minutes, though, nothing separated the sides.
Steelers 1-1 Flyers
Second Period – Chances at Both Ends
The second period followed much the same pattern, with clear opportunities difficult to come by.
Greenfield was the busier of the two goaltenders during the opening stages and produced a series of stops to prevent Fife from regaining the lead.
At the other end, the returning Adam Rockwood produced one of Sheffield’s best pieces of individual play of the period, creating an opening that the home side were unable to turn into a goal.
Aarnio was called for holding midway through the period, but the Steelers penalty kill ensured the score remained level. EIHL
Then, late in the period, captain Robert Dowd was caught with a high stick and was forced down the tunnel for attention.
Michael Drábek was assessed a double minor at 38:02, giving Sheffield a four-minute power play, although the Steelers were unable to capitalise before the second intermission. EIHL
There was also concern for Cormier, who left the ice after landing awkwardly, although both he and Dowd would return for the third period.
Steelers 1-1 Flyers
Third Period – Groh Keeps Steelers Out
Sheffield began the final period still with power-play time remaining, but again the Flyers survived.
There was an increased physical edge to the game, Brandon Whistle marking his return to the line-up with a huge centre-ice hit that was greeted enthusiastically by the home crowd.
The Steelers also began to create some of their best opportunities of the night.
Both Leevi Teissala and Olivier Archambault found themselves with chances to break clear, but neither could find a way past Groh.
Sheffield were handed another power play when Power was called for delay of game at 47:24, but once again the visitors’ penalty kill stood firm. EIHL
Teissala was then involved in another incident deep inside the Flyers zone after taking a heavy hit that the Finn took exception to, but no penalty followed.
Greenfield also found himself involved physically when Hunt made contact with the Steelers goaltender in his crease.
Neither side could find the breakthrough, however, and after 60 minutes the game remained tied at 1-1.
The Steelers had put 22 shots on goal on Groh, with the Fife goaltender stopping 21 of them, while Greenfield had faced 20 shots. Sheffield also finished 0-for-4 on the power play. EIHL
Overtime – Controversial Winner Decides It
The extra period had barely begun when the decisive moment arrived.
Just 18 seconds into overtime, Lamppa found the net for Fife.
Greenfield immediately protested, believing he had been interfered with during the play, while the Steelers also felt the goal frame had been displaced.
Sheffield challenged the play for goaltender interference and the officials went to video review.
After a lengthy delay, however, the decision was goal, confirming Fife’s 2-1 overtime victory. EIHL
It meant one league point for the Steelers and two for the Flyers from a contest in which there had been little between the sides throughout.
Evan Jasper was named the Steelers Man of the Match, with first-period goalscorer Zachary Power collecting the award for Fife.
There is little time for either team to dwell on Saturday’s contest, with the two sides meeting again on Sunday evening in Kirkcaldy, face-off 5.00pm. EIHL
Final Score
Sheffield Steelers 1-2 Fife Flyers (OT)
Steelers: Aarnio (15:34)
Flyers: Power (11:37), Lamppa (60:18 OT) EIHL