Yunost take another three points

13 Jan 2018Robert Newbolt»

Steelers have played their Belarus opponents twice before, after the first time eight years ago, Yunost won the Cup.

After a valiant effort a beat up Sheffield Steelers, three players out injured, took on a strong Minsk side who came out on top.

PERIOD ONE

The main thing was not to give up an early goal and that is exactly what happened when, after 3.28 a long shot from the point by PRETNAR gave Yunost an early lead.

This was doubled when ANTONOV saw his long shot sneak past Mustukovs in the Steelers goal. For most of the period Yunost had been in control but at 13.08 top sniper ROY put Sheffield on the board after pouncing on a shot from Fretter. Five minutes later a snap shot from ROY saw him level the scores with his second, just the thing Steelers needed to boost their confidence.

( note: It is the first time Sheffield have scored more than once against this team)

PERIOD TWO

The Steelers started brightly with Yunost on the penalty kill but, against the run of play, good work behind the net by RAZVADOVSKI set up KOGALEV to put the host team in front. But a minute later smart work by Wallace allowed MATHESON to tie things up again. This was no more than the visitors deserved and but for a brief spell on the penalty.

PERIOD THREE

The third period saw the Steelers under immense pressure and it told at the end of their first penalty kill. As Aarsen returned to the ice YEFIMENKO put Yunost back in the lead. But on the 52 minute mark MATHESON combined with Wallace again to even the scores. The play was end to end but when Fitzgerald was called for a penalty late in the game Steelers had to soak up a lot of pressure. Just as the penalty was over MIKHNOV turned in a shot at the near post to put Minsk ahead.

Despite pulling their netminder Steelers could not respond again and Yunost took the points.

MVP: Matheson (Steelers)