Leeds Knights came from behind twice to beat Sheffield Steeldogs 3-2 in Saturday morning's Planet Ice NIHL play-off match at the SkyDome Arena in Coventry. Kieran Brown was at the heart of everything good about the Knights, scoring both the opener and the game-tying power-play goal in the second period, before Matthew Bissonnette sealed the victory with a third-period winner that Sheffield - for all their effort in the final minutes - could not cancel out.
Steeldogs strike inside a minute
The match started at a pace nobody could have predicted. Sheffield's Nathan Ripley converted from Joonas Larinmaa's pass just 36 seconds in to give the Steeldogs a flying start, and it seemed to take Leeds a moment to find their feet. They were back level before the end of the first period, however - Brown levelling at 6:45 with an unassisted finish to make it 1-1. A lively opening frame, with both sides showing they had come to play.
Back and forth in the second
The second period was where the match really opened up - and where the penalty box began to fill.
Sheffield restored their lead early in the frame when Liam Steele finished unassisted at 20:50 to make it 2-1. The Steeldogs then collected three penalties in quick succession - Yates for tripping at 27:52, goalkeeper Dmitri Zimozdra for tripping at 29:59 (with Tim Smith serving the time) - and Leeds made them pay. Brown converted the power play at 31:25, Sam Dunn and Bissonnette picking up the assists, to level at 2-2.
From 2-0 down in terms of individual margins, Leeds had fought back twice and the match was level going into the final period.
Bissonnette wins it - Sheffield can't respond
Matthew Bissonnette had been involved throughout, and it was he who provided the decisive moment at 47:42 - converting from Samuel Cooper and Bowdyn Neely's work to give Leeds a 3-2 lead with twelve minutes to play.
Sheffield did everything they could to find a route back. Zimozdra was pulled for an extra attacker at 57:42, and the Steeldogs called their timeout at 59:13 with time running out. But Leeds held firm and the final whistle confirmed their place in the next round.
For Kieran Brown, two goals and a winning performance on a big stage. For Sheffield, a gutting exit after a strong play-off campaign that had seen them beat Romford Raiders convincingly in the previous round.
Result: Leeds Knights 3-2 Sheffield Steeldogs Planet Ice NIHL Play-offs
Leeds Knights scorers:
6:45 - Kieran Brown (EV) | unassisted
31:25 - Kieran Brown (PPG) | A: Sam Dunn, Matthew Bissonnette
47:42 - Matthew Bissonnette (EV) | A: Samuel Cooper, Bowdyn Neely
Sheffield Steeldogs scorers:
0:36 - Nathan Ripley (EV) | A: Joonas Larinmaa
20:50 - Liam Steele (EV) | unassisted
Period scores:
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEE | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SHS | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Goalkeepers: Sam Gospel (LEE); Dmitri Zimozdra (SHS)
Penalties - Leeds Knights: Finley Bradon (Slashing, 2 min, 2:11); Finley Bradon (Roughing, 2 min, 22:58); Bowdyn Neely (Hooking, 2 min, 32:57) Penalties - Sheffield Steeldogs: Nathan Ripley (Roughing, 2 min, 22:58); Bailey Yates (Tripping, 2 min, 27:52); Dmitri Zimozdra (Tripping, 2 min, 29:59, served by Tim Smith); Bair Gendunov (Goaltender Interference, 2 min, 35:26)