At Sheffield on Saturday night, 39 saves by Eamon McAdam plus 4 for 4 during the tiebreaking finale helped the visitors overcome a sizeable shot differential to return with a 3-2 penalty win over Steelers.
The only goal of the opening frame went the way of the visitors when Peter Crinella had them holding a lead just over 5 minutes in.
In the 2nd, Steven McParland doubled their advantage at 24:18 when he converted a powerplay, but Brett Neumann replied for Steelers near the game’s midway point to pull his side within a single which is how it stayed through 40 minutes.
At 47:21, during a Steelers powerplay, Daniel Ciampini pulled the home team level ahead of the tiebreaking measures.
In overtime, Steelers added 4 more shots including what initially looked like a buzzer beating winner, but on review time had expired and penalty goals by Crinella and McParland fronted McAdam’s show to steal the win.
McAdam made 38 saves on 40 shots while Matt Greenfield had 19 saves on 21 his way.
“We don’t win that game without the performance we got from Eamon,” explained Paul Dixon.
“In the 3rd period and overtime especially, they definitely had the bulk of the puck and the play, and Eamon made a bundle of good saves to keep us in it and force a point. Eventually we went to penalties where Peter and Steven were able to stake us to a lead that Eamon made sure would be enough.”
“You need that sometimes, especially on the road, and we will take points any way we can get them.”
“Now we have a short break to get ready for the 2nd Cup quarter final leg against Fife and on Wednesday night and we will do what we can to be ready to advance in that competition.”
