EIHL Match Reports (Saturday 08/09/12)

EIHL Match Reports (Saturday 08/09/12)

Saturday, 08 September 2012

Here's the EIHL match reports from R&J Stats for Saturday 08/09/12

Elite League
Dundee Stars 2 Coventry Blaze 3 (after penalty shootout)

Having been two goals down, Coventry came back to tie the game at two apiece with two goals in the third period to take the game into a goalless overtime period, before they came out on top in the penalty shootout to take the extra point.

The home side scored the only goal of the first period as Matt Baxter found the net at 16.20. They then doubled their lead with a powerplay goal from Pat Bowen at 31.37 to end the second period two in front.

The visitors pulled one back with a strike from Greg Leeb at 52.29 and two minutes later they were back on level terms as Mike Egener netted on the powerplay.

The overtime period failed to find a winner and the game was decided by a penalty shootout. The Blaze took the extra point as Mike Schutte netted the all-important penalty shot winner.

Period Scores: 1-0, 1-0, 0-2, 0-0 (1-2) 2-3
Penalty Mins: Dun 2+5+4+0=11 – Cov 0+19+0+0=19
Powerplay: Dun 1/1 – Cov 1/3
Shots on: Nic Riopel 11+7+25+2= 45 93.3% – Peter Hirsch 11+13+11+3= 38 94.7%
Referee: Rab Cowan

Elite League
Sheffield Steelers 2 Cardiff Devils 4

Despite coming from a goal behind with two second period strikes the Steelers had no answer to the Devils in the third period as the visitors hit three without reply to take the points.

The visitors took the lead with the only goal of the first period from Max Birbraer at 7.03. The home side turned the game around with a couple of strikes in the second period, Drew Fata netted on the powerplay at 24.44 then Lee Esders put the home team in front at 34.54.

The Devils were level with a powerplay goal from Phil Hill at 47.28. They then took the lead for a second time at 53.02 as Stuart MaCrae found the net. The game was over as a contest as Ben Davis struck home the fourth at 58.32 as the Devils took the points home with them.

Period Scores: 0-1, 2-0, 0-2, 2-4
Penalty Mins: She 4+2+4= 10 – Car 4+8+0= 12
Powerplay: She 0/5 – Car 1/4
Shots on: John DeCaro 12+11+14= 37 89.2% – Phil Oaser 11+5+6= 22 90.9%
Referee: Andy Carson

Challenge Cup Group A
Braehead Clan 3 Belfast Giants 2

The home side came out on top by the odd goal in five in a pulsating game in Glasgow. The arena saw a four man system for the first time, only for it to revert back to a three man in the third period as one of the officials took ill.

The hosts were off the mark quickly as captain Ash Goldie put them in front on the powerplay at 3.27. This lead was doubled less than two minutes later with another powerplay goal from Robert Farmer at 5.15.

The visitors pulled one back inside the first minute of the second period with a powerplay of their own scored by Daymen Rycroft. The Clan restored their two goal lead as they were awarded a penalty shot at 49.31 that saw Adam Walker beat Stephen Murphy through the five hole.

The Giants made it a one goal game for a second time with yet another powerplay from Robby Sandrock at 55.28. Despite pulling their goaltender the Giants were unable to get the game tying goal.

Period Scores: 2-0, 0-1, 1-1, 3-2
Penalty Mins: Bra 10+2+6= 18 – Bel 6+6+8= 20
Powerplay: Bra 2/8 – Bel 2/7
Shots on: Garrett Zemlak 8+13+15= 33 93.9% – Stephen Murphy 9+9+5= 23 87.0%
Referees: Mike Hicks/Andy Dalton

Challenge Cup Group B
Hull Stingrays 2 Nottingham Panthers 4

Despite taking a two goal lead the Panthers allowed the home side to get back on level terms and only secured the win two goals with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

The visitors took the lead as Matt Francis netted at 9.03. This turned out to be the only goal of the first period.

Panthers doubled their lead with a strike from Bruce Graham at 29.46. But then a powerplay goal from Tomas Valecko at 33.08 cut the deficit to one. At 34.50 the game was all square as Jason Silverthorn found the net.

With the game looking to end in a draw the visitors hit two in a minute to give them the win and the points. Matt Francis was on the mark at 57.37 and then Pat Galivan at 58.24 sealed the win.

Period Scores: 0-1, 2-1, 0-2, 2-4
Penalty Mins: Hul 0+0+4= 4 – Not 8+4+6= 23
Powerplay: Hul 1/9 – Not 0/2
Shots on: Ben Bowns 14+9+21= 44 90.9% – Craig Kowalski 8+9+6= 23 91.3%
Referees: Dean Smith/James Kavanagh