Sheffield Steelers title hopes hit for six at Fife Flyers
Sheffield ran out of gas, dropping back into third place in the league, as rivals Belfast Giants and leaders Cardiff Devils chalked up wins.
Sheffield who put 14 goals past Fife in three previous wins this season, had started well.
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Hide AdDefenceman Zack Fitzgerald put them ahead at 4;37 after a move involving another blueliner, Anders Franzon and centre John Armstrong.
The lead lasted just 10 minutes, though.
Sixth-placed Fife, who had lost their last four games, had a goal disallowed before Matthew Sisca equalised with an effort over Ervins Mustukovs’ blocker.
And then 77 seconds later Brendan Brooks put the Scots ahead on a breakaway.
The interval served only to increase Fife’s appetite and Sebastien Thinel banged the puck into Mustukovs’ post.
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Hide AdSteelers, who beat Nottingham Panthers at home on Saturday, attempted to assert themselves and had efforts from Levi Nelson and Colton Fretter.
However, at 27:20, Mathieu Roy equalised from close range- his fourth goal in five games.
Partiy did not last long though and Italian/Canadian Sisca put the home side ahead for a second time at 31;27, after a turnover. Team-mate Phillippe Paquet almost added a fourth, his shot striking the pipework.
Sheffield re-grouped. And Armstrong was waiting near the back stick to finish off a move for 4-4 at 41;16.
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Hide AdFife pressed back and Chase Schaber despatched the game’s seventh goal of the game at 46;36.
Steelers’ heads dropped again when Justin Fox exploited a line change at 50:12.
They pull the netminder with 3:36 to go but were punished further by Carlo Finucci’s empty netter.
RESULTS
Sunday 26th February
Elite League
Coventry Blaze 3 Manchester Storm 2 (PS)
Edinburgh Capitals 2 Cardiff Devils 3 (OT)
Nottingham Panthers 3 Belfast Giants 4
FIXTURES
Friday 3rd March
Elite League
Manchester Storm v Cardiff Devils – 7.30pm
Nottingham Panthers v Braehead Clan – 7.30pm
Saturday 4th March
Elite League
Belfast Giants v Manchester Storm – 7.00pm
Dundee Stars v Braehead Clan – 7.00pm
Fife Flyers v Edinburgh Capitals – 7.15pm
Sheffield Steelers v Coventry Blaze – 5.00pm
Sunday 5th March
Challenge Cup Final (Cardiff Arena)
Cardiff Devils v Sheffield Steelers – 4.00pm
Elite League
Edinburgh Capitals v Dundee Stars – 6.00pm