UK Round Up 23rd September

Elite League

It was an evening of close games and comebacks in the Elite League. The days early game in Sheffield saw last seasons first and second place teams face off against each other. It was the Steelers took the early initiative and momentum from their previous night’s win in Nottingham as they lead into the third.  It was goals from Clarke and Roberts that levelled the match up and sent the game to penalties. The Steelers won the shootout but they may rue giving the Giants a point come the end of the season.

Penalties were also on the cards in Murrayfield where the Edinburgh Capitals picked up their first points of the season. Despite two early goals for the visitors from Janis Ozolins the Stingrays couldn’t keep the pressure on and with the teams tied from the second period sudden death penalties were need and Dobron netted as Osman missed to give the Capitals their first win of the season.

Across the Forth in Fife the Coventry Blaze had a Brad Leeb double to thank as they levelled the scores and also headed for penalties. But the Flyers have only lost game this season and that record remained in tact as they took the extra point on penalties.

Penalties were not quite needed in Cardiff as the Devils hosted the Panthers but overtime was. Nottingham got off to another slow start as the Devils lead from inside the first minute but a forth-period rally from Werner, Lachowicz, Meyers and David Ling tied the teams at 5. The comeback dreams were shattered though as Blight hit the net to give the Devils a much-needed victory.

Those four results meant that the only side in the EIHL with out a point tonight were the Braehead Clan who went down to the Dundee Stars.

 

English Premier League

In the EPL there was no doubt the Bracknell Bees were the team of the weekend. After beating the Steeldogs in Sheffield they completed a 4 point weekend with a home victory over the much fancied Basingstoke Bison. That victory meant that the Guildford Flames are the only side left with a 100% record as they demolished the MK Lightning.

The Manchester Phoenix also picked up a moral boosting victory as they hosted the Telford Tigers whilst the Peterborough Phantoms got the win against the Swindon Wildcats.

 

Results

Elite League

Sheffield Steelers 5 Belfast Giants 4 APS

Fife Flyers 3 Coventry Blaze 2 APS

Dundee Stars 2 Braehead Clan 1

Edinburgh Capitals  4 Hull Stingrays 3 APS

Cardiff Devils 6 Nottingham Panthers 5 AOT

English Premier League

Manchester Phoenix 3 Telford Tigers 1

Peterborough Phantoms 2 Swindon Wildcats 1

Bracknell Bees 3 Basingstoke Bison 2

Guildford Flames 5 MK Lightning 3