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Elite League
8th December 2004
 Referee: A Carson 
Sheffield Steelers

2

Match complete
(AOT)
London Racers

2

   
1 : 0 : 1 : 0 = 2Goals1 : 1 : 0 : 0 = 2
12 : 10 : 14 : 2 = 38Shots7 : 8 : 8 : 4 = 27
2 : 14 : 2 : 0 = 18Penalties in Minutes4 : 6 : 2 : 0 = 12
 
Game Report

Sheffield Steelers 2-2 London Racers

2759 Sheffield fans gave a warm welcome to Mark Dutiaume on his first home game since his return from Italy last week. Sheffield's top goal-scorer from last season had to play on defence though, after defencemen Daryl Andrews and Gerad Andrews pulled out in warm-up.

London kept it simple, playing the body all night long, and with the help of a sparkling display from 'keeper Sylvain Daigle, might have snatched both points from this game despite Sheffield creating most of the chances. Sheffield though extended their unbeaten home run to 10 games.

Sheffield dominated the opening period but in the end had to be thankful for a flukey goal to separate the sides at the first interval. The puck was winged up the boards and Jeff Christian stood 10 feet inside the London half and with his back to goal flicked the puck towards the net for a dolly-dropper. Sylvain Daigle caught the puck and released it, but dropped his stick. He went for the stick and Joe Ciccarello nipped in to fire into the unguarded net (9.00).

Racers levelled with Dutiaume serving a holding minor. NHL start Eric Cairns fired in from the right and loanee Matt Foord deflected the puck home (23.19). Racers then survived two penalties to coach Dennis Maxwell, before stealing the lead when Jon Cotton's right wing shot was padded towards Jason Robinson who fired home from 12 feet (31.45).

Jeff Christian eventually tied the game ending a crisp passing move (50.07) and had a glorious chance to bag a winner 3 minutes later when he stepped out of the penalty box to receive a long pass but Daigle got a glove to deflect his wrist shot over the bar.

Another 3 minutes saw Mike Peron snatch his shot wide at the right post but it was London who finished the stronger, with Steve Moria making Jayme Platt work hard.

In overtime Eric Cairns skated through the right and found Jason Hewitt arriving on the far side but Platt made the save. Then right at the death Jeff Christian got away but ignored the option of passing to Dion Darling and Daigle deflected the puck wide once again.


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