A late 2nd period major penalty put Flames on an extended penalty kill to start the 3rd and Steelers took advantage with a couple of powerplay goals to erase their single goal deficit and take a lead they would not give back before skating on to a 5-2 win over Spectrum’s tenants.
A goal by Matt Alvaro seconds before the end of the 1st sent Flames to break with a lead.
The difference was relatively short lived, as Mitchell Balmas levelled less than 3 minutes into the 2nd, but a Flames powerplay just under 4 minutes into the frame, converted by Travis Brown, put Spectrum’s men in front once again. Inside the frame’s 30 seconds, Charlie Dodero received a 5 minute penalty and game misconduct for slashing, putting Steelers to an extended powerplay, the bulk of which would take place to begin the 3rd.
67 seconds after re-start, Robert Dowd brought the game level and a couple minutes later, still enjoying the manpower differential, Brandon Whistle gave the visitors their first lead of the contest with the eventual winner. Flames had to kill another minor shortly after that, leaving them down 2 men down for the last bit of the major. They did escape that without falling further off the pace, but less than 8 minutes from time, Dowd’s 2nd of the evening extended their lead to a pair and a late empty net goal from Daniel Leavens closed out the contest.
Jake Kupsky made 57 saves on 61 shots while Matt Greenfield turned away 28 of 30.
“That is a very talented hockey club and you simply do not want to be trying to kill an unlimited goal powerplay chance for 5 minutes against them,” said Paul Dixon.
“We were in a pretty good spot there with a lead and a period go play, but unfortunately Sheffield were able to take the opportunity they got and run with it all the way to a win so you have to give them credit for turning their deficit into a result.”
“We are all very frustrated right now, but we don’t have time to wallow in it. With a game on Wednesday coming up here at Panthers, it is a good we have Sunday off this week which gives an extra day to try and re-set ourselves for what we have ahead.”
