Elite League round-up December 10
7:57am Sunday 11th December 2011 in Sport
Elite League round-up December 10
ELITE LEAGUE ICE HOCKEY: Round up of Saturday's games in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Braehead Clan 4 Hull Stingrays 2
Having missed the last seven games through injury Jordan Krestanovich netted a brace at the start of the third period to open up daylight between the teams after there was no separating them after two periods. This was enough for the home team to record the win.
Both teams had a couple of powerplay chances in the first session. However, neither team were able to make them count and the period ended goalless.
After 40 minutes of hockey, there was still nothing to separate the teams. With only 26 seconds played in the second period, the visitors took the lead with a strike from Jereme Tendler. The Clan got back on level terms with a strike from Brock McPherson at 36.53.
The hosts got off to a flyer in the third period as Jordan Krestanovich found the net with 16 seconds on the clock to put his team in front. He then got a second goal at 42.37 for the Clan to open up a two-goal lead. At 52.30, Mike Bayrack made the game save as he scored the home sides’ fourth goal of the night.
Despite Tendler getting a second goal on the powerplay at 58.48 for the visitors, this didn’t deter the home fans, as they continued their traditional singing and clapping in the final two minutes, as they cheered the Clan to their 10th win on home ice this season.
Cardiff Devils 6 Dundee Stars 2
Three goals in the third period from the Devils saw them run out easy winners in the end. However, for 40 minutes of this game it could have gone either way.
Despite dominating most of the first period, the Devils only had a solitary goal to show for their efforts. Scott Matzka was the man on target for the Welsh team at 2.50.
The Stars shocked the home team at 26.19 as Jeff Hutchins levelled the game up at one apiece. Then two goals in just over a minute suddenly gave the Devils a two-goal lead. The first of these came at 30.31 from Sam Smith with his first goal in eleven games. Then at 31.58 Matzka shorthanded got his second goal of the game.
However, that man Hutchins was on target once again as he netted his and his team’s second goal at 36.05 to reduce the leeway to one.
Devils increased their lead at 48.17 with a strike from Scott Dobben and then they put the final nail in the coffin with two goals 29 seconds apart. Max Bibraer netted on the powerplay at 57.27 followed by a strike from Josh Batch at 57.56.
Fife Flyers 1 Belfast Giants 3
The three previous games between these two teams had saw Belfast with the dominance with wins of 9-1 and 6-3 at home and the last time they were in Fife they went away with a 7-1 win.
This time however, it was a different story as the Flyers gave the Giants a run for their money.
The host went in front with a powerplay goal from Steve McAlpine at 4.49. The table toppers had to wait until 10.22 before they got back on level terms with a Jeff Mason strike.
The visitors went in front at 25.09 with the only goal of the second period from the stick of Tom Dignard.
Despite Ryan Crane netting with a powerplay goal at 41.53 to give the Giants a two goal lead the game was always on a balance. The visitors did manage to hold on and collected the points.
Challenge Cup Group B
Coventry Blaze 1 Sheffield Steelers 3
The Steelers had to wait until the last five minutes of the game before they secured the win as they netted twice. Because of this, the game on the 23rd December between Cardiff and Sheffield will determine the last remaining semi-final spot. A draw would be enough for Cardiff but Sheffield need the win.
After a goalless first period, the visitors got off the mark first as ex-Blaze player Luke Fulghum netted on the powerplay at 25.25. The home side were level less than two minutes later as Shea Guthrie scored at 27.11.
With the game heading to end in a draw, Mike Ramsay netted with a shorthanded goal at 55.37 and then Jonathan Phillips sealed the win for the Steelers at 58.53.
