Sheffield Steelers 4-0 Manchester Phoenix

Phoenix missing ex-Steeler Rick Brebant.

Ex-Sheffield coach Alex Dampier received a presentation before the game from the Sheffield Steelers Supporters Club after his recent announcement that he is returning to Canda permanently.

With both these sides already qualified for the Play-Off Finals next weekend, this game was about who finished top of the group. Sheffield won the game and the group as Manchester were visibly tired after the game in Belfast last night. And although they did their best to give the home side a game, they enjoyed no luck and in the end they simply ran out of gas.

4010 saw Skytta lead the way for the visitors forcing three fine stops in the opening session. But three powerplays gave the home side the advantage and Darling converted the third when his shot deflected in off goalie Platt's skate (17:57).

Early in the middle session LeFebvre went for holding, followed by DeWaele for cross-checking for 99 seconds of 5-on-3 for Phoenix. But, typically of their luck tonight, as they created the space for defender Lankshear to shoot, he broke his stick and the effort went harmlessly wide.

Back at full strength, Peron got away down the right and forced in the rebound to his own shot, only to have it disallowed as the ref had his arm raised for a roughing penalty on team-mate Gerad Adams. Lotila and Davies forced saves on the powerplay.

When Lotila took a hooking penalty, Irving's pass across the goal was slammed home high by Peron (32:38).

Dutiaume was next into the penalty box for slashing but Peron broke away again and his shot was forced home by Bobyck (34:32) for a short-handed goal. Captain Awada had a glorious chance to open the scoring when he arrived on the blindside but miscued his effort.

A one-sided final session saw Platt pull 8 saves until coach Heavey gave Dave Clancy a run-out in goal with 9 minutes remaining. He was beaten only once, when DeWaele's shot hit Bobyck and took a wicked deflection (54:18).

So Sheffield face Cardiff next Saturday afternoon whilst Nottingham play Manchester in the evening in the Elite League Play-Off Semi-Finals.