Sheffield Steelers 2-0 Newcastle Vipers

Sheffield missing Shawn Maltby (hernia op), Phil Hill (broken foot), Newcastle missing Peter Aubry (knee).

4597 saw young stand-in goalie Mark Lee have another great game, beaten just once by Shane Johnson (52:29) from the right, Jonathan Phillips' empty net goal from close in (59:54) rounding off the scoring. But at the other end Jody Lehman recorded his 6th shutout to ensure Sheffield took the points. No surprise that both goalies got the Man of the Match awards.

The game began slowly, Lee showing his form with an early stop from Paul Moran. Ryan Finnerty and Jonathan Weaver both had shots turned aside with Mark Thomas trying a wrap-around at Lee's left post.

Nearly 7 minutes in, Dan Tessier chased a puck past Jeremy Cornish, and Cornish dished out a trade-mark challenge which left Tessier on the floor and saw Regan Darby trading punches with Cornish. Both combatants got fighting majors with Cornish an extra roughing penalty and Darby 2+10 for instigation.

Halfway through the period Tessier found Moran in acres of space but he failed to control the puck and the chance went begging.

With Andre Payette serving an interference penalty, only Finnerty tested Lee. Back at full strength, Scott Ricci found the blocker from the left and Vipers went up the other end with Lehman gloving Cory Morgan's shot at full stretch.

Two minutes later Weaver's fierce screened shot from the right found Lehman's shoulder with Lee turning aside shots from Shaun Sutter and Phillips before the first interval.

Sheffield took control in the middle session, but couldn't find a goal. Tessier set the tone blasting wide when well-placed early on, Finnerty's backhander from close-in was blocked by the keeper 2 minutes later. Phillips also forced a save and Lee made further saves from Rod Sarich and Tessier whilst ex-Steeler Jason Robinson was sitting a cross-checking penalty.

Back at full strength Finnerty found Jason Hewitt 6 feet in front of the net and somehow Lee made the block, the puck rebounding kindly for the young keeper.

Payette's hooking penalty brought saves from Tessier and Ian Manzano, but that Hewitt chance aside, Sheffield hadn't really looked like finding a way past Lee.

Tessier and Finnerty had further shots saved, then on 30 minutes Hewitt had an identical chance. The shot came off Lee's pad onto his left post but stayed out.

Paul Ferone fired Vipers first shot of the period 70 seconds later, but Lehman's first save arrived in the 35th minute from Morgan's right wing shot.

David Longstaff and Payette forced further saves and with Vipers having the greater momentum, there was an almighty scramble following Weaver's slapshot. Sheffield broke away and Phillips' left wing shot was padded to Finnerty but he couldn't connect and another chance went begging.

Lee ended the period by gloving another close-in shot from Finnerty and the crowd were beginning to wonder if anyone would score.

Seconds into the final period Ferone arrived on the doorstep only to deflect the pass wide. Vipers then went on the powerplay with Darby sitting a tripping penalty, Lehman denying Wilson's backhanded shot from low on the right and Morgan's left wing blast.

Three times Payette tested the home keeper but Phillips kept Lee sharp at the other end. Vipers' shooting was looking more incisive and two efforts from Rod Hinks pulled fine saves from Lehman.

Finnerty took a tripping penalty with 10 minutes remaining, but Vipers could only force one save when Rob Wilson's right wing shot cannoned up into Lehman's face-mask after the initial save.

Just 20 seconds after Finnerty returned Sheffield broke up the right, Sutter passing inside for Shane Johnson to rifle home, somewhat against the run of play.

Vipers kept plugging away and 3 minutes later Shaun Johnson forced a great save from 8 feet out. then Hinks was blanked from the right soon after.

Paul Ferone intelligently shipped the puck up to Lehman to gain a face-off. Vipers won the draw, but Darby got clean away up the left and went to the net, only for Lee to make the save of the night as the puck stayed out.

Vipers continued to press but Sheffield weren't giving up any more chances and when Lee belatedly was pulled with 25 seconds remaining, Shane Johnson intercepted just inside his own zone and released Phillips who skated away from the halfway line for a simple empty net goal.