Manchester Storm 5-2 Sheffield Steelers (final score)
Coach Paul Thompson's team-list for the challenge game - 24 hours before a more meaningful Challenge Cup tie at Sheffield Arena - left out Anders Franzon, Mathieu Roy, Levi Nelson, Rod Sarich and Mike Ratchuk as a "precautionary" move.
Rob Dowd, who scored Steelers' two goals against HV71 last weekend, was promoted into Roy's place on the first line.
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Hide AdDespite the changes, Steelers took the lead after two minutes, Ben O'Connor scoring, from Markus Nilsson's assist.
Ninety seconds later Matt Bissonnette, a 24 year old centre who played his last two years in France, equalised.
Steelers conceded the period with two goals in quick succession in 42 seconds, from Matt Bissonnette and Darian Dziurzynski for 3-1.
The second period saw Eric Neilson and Zack Fitzgerald trade goals within 13 seconds of each other for 4-2.
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Hide AdBut Storm were enjoying their moment in the sun and Adam Harding added a fifth at 22;10.
Second-string goalie Brad Day shut the door on a couple of other decent Manchester chances.
And now the visitors can luck forward to more important matters, at Sheffield Arena, tomorrow...with some of their absent players back.
RESULT
Saturday 3rd September
Challenge Cup Group A
Fife Flyers 5 Belfast Giants 2
Challenge Matches
Cardiff Devils 7 Coventry Blaze 6 OT
Dundee Stars 4 Edinburgh Capitals 2
Manchester Storm 5 Sheffield Steelers 2
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FIXTURES
Sunday 4th September
Challenge Cup Group A
Braehead Clan v Fife Flyers – 6.00pm
Challenge Cup Group B
Coventry Blaze v Nottingham Panthers – 5.15pm
Sheffield Steelers v Manchester Storm – 5.00pm
Challenge Match
Edinburgh Capitals v Dundee Stars – 6.00pm