Sheffield 2-0 Manchester

Sheffield without youngsters Stevie Duncombe and Gavin Farrand.

Sheffield recorded their first regulation time win over Manchester Phoenix as both sides worked hard at closing down space and as a result the game was end-to-end without creating many clear chances.

A Roses crowd of 4091 saw Sheffield apply the early pressure with Platt giving early warning of his fine form when he blanked Irving arriving at the back door after 4 minutes. Phoenix worked hard and started to create chances, the best of which arrived just before 10 minutes with Awada pouncing at the back post and Dopson a shade fortunate to blank the shot.

Sheffield weres oon in front aftre the break, a pass from low on the left findinbg Peron 8 feet out and his shot was deflected home by Gerard Adams (21:31). Just three penalties were called all night, all arriving in the middle session starting when Shudra and Awada both took penalties for 2 minutes of 4-on-4 play. Skovira tested Dopson from the left then with the sides back at full strength Ellis raced away up the middle for Sheffield,went left but Platt pulled a big save.

Manchester had a spell of pressure around 30 minutes and Adams took a penalty for elbows. But Dopson only had one shot to save and when Adams returned he helped set up the final goal, Peron digging the puck out front for Anderson to fire home from close range (33:13).

Manchester never stopped trying to get back into the game but Sheffield showed they had learnt how to close out a game as the visitors struggled to get any quality shots on Dopson from then on.

At the other end Platt kept Sheffield at bay during the final period.

Sheffield iced the puck with 97 seconds left giving Phoenix a chance to call a timeout and lift Platt for an extra skater, but Dopson had just one shot to save as Steelers held on comfortably.