Steelers Vs Devils 20th Sept 2009

Sheffield Steelers 6 Cardiff Devils 3

The Devils failed to produce the magic of the previous night against the Steelers, suffering a 6-3 loss in Sheffield on Sunday night.

A Jeff Legue hat-trick including 2 goals in 2 minutes helped the Steelers to an unassailable 5-1 lead with just under half the game remaining.

Legue’s superb performance of quick skating and clinical shooting was the highlight in a game that lacked intensity, physicality and excitement for the most part. 

The story of the game was Sheffield’s clinical deployment of the trap system after its first goal and the Devils inability to break it down even-handed. 

Nevertheless, the fans in attendance were treated to a fine display of how to execute a powerplay from both teams.  

Doug Sheppard’s powerplay goal at 45.13 separated goals from Mike Hartwick and free scoring defenseman Wes Jarvis (both on the powerplay) that gave a more respectable look to a game in which the Devils were never ahead. 

The Steelers enjoyed a two goal lead after the first period thanks to powerplay goals from Jeff Hutchins and the Legue. The Devils struggled to stay out of the penalty box early on and handed Sheffield the momentum. Despite Gerad Adams’ powerplay goal at 20.37 the Devils never truly managed to wrestle that momentum from the Steelers. 

Brad Cruikshank snuffed out the Devils best opportunity to get back into the game with another powerplay goal at 29.43. 

It was the powerplay that was the story of the night as the Steelers achieved a 50% success rate with 4 powerplay goals. While the Devils will be pleased with 3 powerplay of their own, they will be eager to come close to last years’ penalty killing standards earned them the number one penalty kill in the Elite League.

Devils’ stand-in captain and man of the match from Saturday, Mark Richardson left the ice with minutes remaining and fans will be hoping that this was just down to fatigue from his heroic efforts the night before.

Despite the return of Max Birbraer, Mike Hartwick and Scott Romfo to the line-up, the Devils struggled to find the battling qualities that saw them achieve one of their most memorable victories the night before.  

It’s those battling qualities at home and away that will be crucial if the team is to produce the consistency of performance needed to challenge for honours.

Game Winning Goal – Jeff Legue
Winning Goaltender – Kevin Reiter
Losing Goaltender – Stevie Lyle

Period Scores: 2-0, 3-1, 1-2
Penalty Mins: She 18 - Car 18
Powerplay: She 4/8 - Car 3/8
Shots On: Kevin Reiter 29 - Stevie Lyle 35
Referee: Michael Hicks