“What a feeling” says Tait
Ryan Tait described the emotion of scoring an overtime winner against Nottingham Panthers as one of the best feelings in hockey after his goal secured a dramatic 3-2 victory for Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night.
With 8,722 supporters inside the Utilita Arena, Tait struck in overtime to settle the first meeting of the season between British hockey’s biggest rivals and keep Sheffield unbeaten in Challenge Cup competition.
“There isn’t a better feeling, especially with that crowd,” said Tait.
“We have the best fans in the UK and I felt it the second the puck went in.
“I couldn’t be happier, but I’m even happier with the team effort.
“Mitchell [Balmas] led the way for us, Greener made big saves and there were contributions right through the line-up.
“It’s amazing to score the goal, but I’m really proud of the way we came back and found a way to win.”
Sheffield had trailed 2-1 going into the third period before Balmas scored his second of the evening to force overtime.
Balmas later had the opportunity to win the game from a penalty shot but was denied by Nottingham netminder Mat Robson.
The decisive moment eventually came when Adam Rockwood helped create the opening for Tait.
“It was a great stick by Rosie and then Rockwood showed some patience,” Tait explained.
“I knew he was cutting towards the middle.
“The ice wasn’t great at that stage, so I was thinking that if I could get myself into a good area I was just going to let the shot go.
“I practise that shot a lot, so it was good to see it go in.”
What followed was an explosion of emotion from both Tait and the 8,722 inside the Arena.
“I’m a pretty emotional guy, so I just started screaming,” he said.
“Then you see your teammates coming towards you and how happy they are for you.
“That’s the most important thing.
“I’m just happy to help the team in any way I can, and when it comes through scoring a goal like that, there’s nothing better.”
The victory maintained Sheffield’s unbeaten start to their Challenge Cup campaign and Tait believes the way the Steelers responded after falling behind could prove important as the season develops.
“These Cup games are important,” he said.
“It’s about putting results together, building our identity every game and executing the way we want to play.
“To come from behind and show that determination is huge because later in the season we’re going to be involved in a lot of hard games.
“Especially against Nottingham. They’re our rivals, they’re a good hockey team and those games are always going to be tough.
“You have to stick together and find a way to get it done.”
Tait was also quick to acknowledge the influence of Sheffield’s established players.
“Our identity is growing,” he said.
“We have guys who put it on the line every night and everybody feeds off that.
“When you score a big goal like that against your biggest rivals, you feel it throughout the entire Arena.
“It feels really good.
“I think I’ll sleep pretty well tonight.”