Sheffield Steelers 1-0 Belfast Giants

Sheffield without Simon Butterworth and Les Millie, Belfast missing Leigh Jamieson.

Sheffield beat Belfast for the first time in three attempts this season in an exciting and physical encounter. And how fitting that ex-Belfast Giant Paul Sample got the goal, a real rocket from the left wing. Prior to that both sides had spells of 5-on-3 in the middle session and Steelers' Jeff Christian hit the bar, but with both defences and goalies in such fine form this was always going to be a one goal game. For Sheffield, this was Jayme Platt's second shut-out in three home games.

Sheffield had the early momentum but struggled to test Martin Klempa in the visiting net. Belfast's Todd Kelman forced two good saves shooting from the blueline, but the save of the opening period came from Klempa as he stacked the pads to deny Mike Peron after Daryl Andrews' initial shot. As the challenges got increasing physical in the ensuing scramble, Jason Bowen took a Roughing penalty. However Giants almost nicked a short-handed opener when Tony Hand robbed Gerad Adams and skated away down the right wing, but Platt padded the shot aside.

Early in the second Jeff Christian forced a good save from the left wing, then Curtis Huppe shot wide when well placed and Sheffield released Ryan Lake but Klempa gloved the shot. With Sheffield pressing Curtis Bowen took a High Sticks penalty and as Sheffield camped round the Giants goal Mel Angelstadt took another Cross-Checking penalty for 50 seconds of 5-on-3.

Shot-shy Sheffield passed rather than shot, however, but Klempa produced two pad saves despite being prone on the ice from Erik Anderson and Christian as Bowen returned.

Diarmuid Kelly got away down the left wing but Platt pulled a good pad save, then Angelstadt again headed to the box for another Cross-Checking penalty but Sheffield were unable to test Klempa this time.

As Anglestadt returned Dion Darling took an Interference penalty and Gerad Adams followed him for the same offence to give 98 seconds of 5-on-3 advantage. This time Belfast elected to pass, pass, pass and only George Awada forced a save, shooting from the top of the slot.

After Darling returned, Curtis Bowen and Awada both forced further saves and Belfast continued the momentum as Huppe hit a wicked shot from the right that Platt got a pad to. But in the dying seconds Christian made the zone, dropped the puck inside for Anderson and Klempa padded his shot towards Christian. But the Sheffield forward skied his shot onto the bar.

Belfast started the final period the stronger, but Sheffield found the net when Sample skated out from the left and blasted home from 8 feet (45:17). Belfast took the game straight back to Sheffield, but Platt was in fine form and did well to turn aside a rocket from Huppe.

Both sides killed a penalty each relatively comfortably, before Mike Peron took an Interference penalty with 3 minutes left. Belfast called a time out but were unable to get a single shot on Platt for the remainder of the game as Sheffield claimed both points.