Sheffield Steelers 3-2 Basingstoke Bison

Bison missing Dominic Hopkins and Duncan Dalmao, Steelers missing Ryan Lake and once again ice Mark Florence.

Rob Stewart gets his first win as Steelers coach as the the herd ran out of steam. And the hero of the hour was Gerad Adams, playing defence last night and up front tonight as he bagged a pair of goals on his way to Man of the Match.

Owen Walter took 25 seconds to find his way into the penalty box, but Jeff Ewasko buried his own rebound close-in for a short-handed opener (0.40). Steelers applied the pressure over the next five minutes and Vogel was the busier keeper, but was looking solid.

However there was little he could do when Adams redirected a left wing shot from youngster Gavin Farrand (9.27). Two minutes later Erik Anderson broke away up the right wing and Adams arrived on the doorstep to roof the puck (11.32).

Ron Shudra and Jeff Corey dropped the gloves 4 minutes later, double roughing penalties to each with Shudra earning an extra two minutes for slashing. Platt didn't have a shot to save on the powerplay though Steelers Mike Peron broke away from his own end to force a pad save from Vogel.

Bison started the second the stronger and profited from a loss of concentration from Steelers goalie Platt. Overpowered behind his net by Mike Ford, young Brit Lewis Buckman was on hand out front to find the unguarded net (23.34).

Sheffield then outchanced their visitors until the second interval, by which time Mike Peron had put them back in front. With Brent Bobyck sitting a high sticks penalty, Ron Shudra's left wing shot was turned aside and Peron nipped in to squeeze the puck home (35.12).

Steelers started the final session strongly but were more intent on shutting up shop. Twice Platt went walkabout behind his net, twice he was caught, but he need his left post to save him from Jeff Corey's wraparound.

Bison coach Mark Bernard lifted his goalie for an extra skater with over a minute remaining but Steelers held out for a welcome first win of the campaign.