01 Dec 2024, 17:15 | Regular season | Fife Ice Arena |
Fife Flyers | 5-3 | Sheffield Steelers |
Periods: Shots: | 1-1 (11-15) | 1-0 (8-11) | 3-2 (9-12) | Total: 28-38 |
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Referees: #43 Graham Rodger, #16 Toby Craig  |  Spectators: 1039 |
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Goals and assists
Fife Flyers got their first home win since 5 October, condemning
defending Grand Slam Champions Sheffield Steelers to a zero-point week
with a 5-3 victory in Kirkcaldy on Sunday night.
"Honestly it was a
total team win. Shane (Owen) made some huge saves, our penalty kill got
it done, and we scored goals when we needed to," said Michael Cichy on
the win.
The Steelers, who came into the game having been beaten
in Cardiff and by Nottingham already in Week 13, were ahead through
Marc-Olivier Vallerand who batted home a rebound from a Brien Diffley
shot with 12:34 played.
Fife were in the game, though, and were deservedly level 62
seconds before the end of the period – Michael Cichy netting from close
range after Phelix Martineau’s pass.
The Flyers scored the only goal of the middle period to lead.
After neat passing, Cichy finished high past Jere Huhtamaa to put the
Flyers into a lead that they would not relinquish.
"It's always
nice to score two goals, but I have to give credit to my team mates for
setting me up," added Cichy. "The first one was a nice play from Chiodo
and Martineau, and the second Foss picking out the pass."
Ryan Foss intercepted a pass in his own zone 3:51 into period
three, played a give and go with Jordy Stallard, and slotted into the
net to give his side a 3-1 lead. Mikko Juusola pulled the score back to
3-2 exactly five minutes later, but the Flyers were back two ahead when
the puck bounced off Phelix Martineau and slid across the line at 52:17.
Mark Simpson made it a nervy finish when he scored with 52
seconds remaining as the Steelers skated 6-on-5, but the Flyers rode out
the final seconds until Drake Pilon found the empty net with a second
left.