Rockwood with a Brace of Shoot Out Goals
Sheffield Steelers produced another remarkable comeback against Guildford Flames on Sunday afternoon, recovering from a two-goal deficit before Adam Rockwood became the shootout hero in a dramatic 4-3 victory at the Utilita Arena.
Trailing 2-0 after forty minutes, Aaron Fox’s side looked to be heading for a second defeat in as many nights, but a sensational third period saw the Steelers fight their way back into the contest.
Tim Gettinger, Brandon Whistle and Olivier Archambault all found the net as Sheffield twice came from behind to force overtime, before Rockwood took centre stage with two superb penalty shots to secure the extra Challenge Cup point.
It was another hugely entertaining encounter between these two sides, with the Steelers once again showing the character and determination that has become such a feature of their performances this season.
And after the disappointment of Saturday night’s late defeat in Nottingham, it was just the response Fox and the Orange Army were looking for.
First Period – Physical Battle Ends Goalless (0-0)
The Steelers returned to home ice determined to bounce back from their heartbreaking 3-2 defeat against Nottingham Panthers less than 24 hours earlier.
Both teams created early opportunities, with Matt Greenfield and Guildford netminder Brad Arvanitis called upon as the visitors looked to frustrate the home side.
There was certainly no shortage of physicality.
Macoy Erkamps and Jonathan Racine exchanged words near the benches before the Steelers defenceman delivered a thunderous hit behind his own net as Sheffield looked to establish their physical presence.
The Steelers were doing a good job of keeping Guildford to the outside, while looking for opportunities to break forward themselves.
Brien Diffley produced an important defensive intervention to break up a dangerous Flames attack, while Olivier Archambault was making his presence felt on the forecheck with some big hits.
Neither side could find the breakthrough, however, and the opening twenty minutes ended goalless.
End of First Period: Steelers 0-0 Flames
Second Period – Flames Take Control (0-2)
Guildford came out strongly at the start of the middle period and were rewarded when a turnover behind the Sheffield goal presented Jack Jacome with an opportunity.
The Flames forward made no mistake, lifting the puck high above Greenfield’s glove to give the visitors the lead.
Sheffield responded with a spell of offensive-zone pressure, but despite enjoying possession, they struggled to find a way through the Guildford defence.
A Steelers power play offered the chance to respond, with several dangerous opportunities created, but Arvanitis and his defence stood firm.
At the other end, Dominic Cormier and Tim Gettinger were delivering some big hits as the physical intensity continued to rise.
But it was Guildford who struck again.
A quick break through centre ice opened up the Steelers defence and Justin Ducharme was perfectly positioned to finish the move, beating Greenfield to double the visitors’ advantage.
With forty minutes played, the Steelers had plenty of work ahead of them.
End of Second Period: Steelers 0-2 Flames
Third Period – Steelers Fight Back in Six-Goal Thriller (3-3)
Whatever was said in the Steelers dressing room during the second interval certainly had the desired effect.
Sheffield returned to the ice with renewed energy and determination, knowing that a big third period was required to rescue something from the game.
And the comeback began on the power play.
Adam Rockwood was brought down to hand the Steelers a man advantage and the home side immediately went looking for a way back into the contest.
Mitchell Balmas struck the post before the loose puck fell invitingly for Tim Gettinger, who made no mistake in firing home.
It was Gettinger’s fifth goal in just two weeks and suddenly the Steelers had renewed belief.
Then came a superb piece of play from Gettinger that brought the Steelers level.
Collecting the puck in centre ice, the big forward broke away on a two-on-one opportunity, drawing the defender towards him before testing Arvanitis with a high shot.
The Guildford goaltender made the initial save, but the rebound fell perfectly for Brandon Whistle, who connected on the volley to make it 2-2.
The arena erupted.
From two goals behind, the Steelers had hauled themselves level and looked to have all the momentum.
However, Guildford had other ideas.
Almost immediately, Cole Sanford restored the visitors’ advantage, finding space to fire high past Greenfield and silence the home crowd.
At 3-2 down, the Steelers were once again chasing the game.
The intensity continued to build, with a hit on Ryan Tait sparking a heated confrontation as Evan Jasper immediately stepped in to defend his teammate.
Jasper and Ducharme were subsequently handed roughing penalties as the temperature of the contest continued to rise.
Guildford’s Jonathan Racine was also at the centre of several physical exchanges, much to the displeasure of the home supporters.
But the Steelers refused to surrender.
And when Racine made an error, Olivier Archambault was quick to take full advantage.
The French-Canadian forward collected the loose puck, moved into a shooting position and calmly fired beneath Arvanitis to bring the Steelers level at 3-3.
For the second time in the period, Sheffield had fought back.
The Steelers were handed another power-play opportunity in the closing minutes when Jacome was penalised for illegal equipment, but despite pushing for the winner, the Flames held firm.
Six goals, plenty of physical confrontations and a remarkable Sheffield comeback had turned the final twenty minutes into a thrilling contest.
End of Third Period: Steelers 3-3 Flames
Overtime – Neither Side Can Find the Winner (3-3)
With both teams guaranteed at least a point, the contest moved into five minutes of three-on-three overtime.
Guildford were first to threaten, with Karl Boudrias skating through centre ice and getting a shot away at Greenfield.
The Flames then received a power-play opportunity after Diffley was penalised, presenting the visitors with a golden opportunity to win the game.
But Sheffield’s penalty killers were outstanding.
The Steelers defended superbly throughout the two-minute disadvantage, restricting Guildford’s opportunities and keeping their hopes of victory alive.
Rockwood then had an opportunity to win the game at the other end, but the Flames defence recovered quickly to deny him a clear shooting lane.
Neither team could find the breakthrough.
For the second time this season, a meeting between the Steelers and Flames would be decided by a penalty shootout.
Shootout – Rockwood Holds His Nerve to Win It!
What followed was a dramatic shootout in which both goaltenders and some superb individual finishes kept supporters on the edge of their seats.
Adam Rockwood stepped up first for Sheffield and confidently slid the puck beneath Arvanitis to give the Steelers the advantage.
Guildford’s Josh Waller responded immediately, beating Greenfield to level the shootout.
Next came Mikko Juusola.
The Finnish forward produced a wonderful finish, lifting the puck into the top corner to restore Sheffield’s advantage.
Greenfield continued to make important saves, but Mathieu Gosselin eventually found a way through to keep Guildford alive.
With the scores level, the shootout moved into sudden death.
Waller stepped forward again for the Flames, but this time Greenfield came out on top, producing the save that gave Sheffield their opportunity to win it.
And there was only one man for the moment.
Adam Rockwood.
Having scored with his opening attempt, the Steelers forward showed nerves of steel as he approached the Guildford goal for a second time.
Once again, Rockwood remained ice-cool, sliding the puck beneath Arvanitis to secure a dramatic victory and send the Orange Army into celebration.
STEELERS WIN 4-3 AFTER PENALTY SHOTS!
Rockwood Takes the Honours as Steelers Complete Another Comeback
After a hugely entertaining afternoon at the Utilita Arena, Rockwood was the deserved recipient of the Steelers Man of the Match award, his two penalty-shot finishes proving decisive.
Justin Ducharme collected the award for Guildford.
The Eddy
Final Score: Sheffield Steelers 4-3 Guildford Flames (After Penalty Shots)
Steelers scorers: Tim Gettinger (PP), Brandon Whistle, Olivier Archambault. Shootout winner: Adam Rockwood.
Guildford scorers: Jack Jacome, Justin Ducharme, Cole Sanford.
Man of the Match: Adam Rockwood (Steelers), Justin Ducharme (Flames).