Continental Cup Final - Day 1 Steelers top the group David Grant Jan 16, 2010 - 6:05:18 AM

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GRENOBLE, FRANCE - Sheffield Steelers started their Continental Cup Super Final campaign with a convincing 5-2 victory against the hosts, Grenoble. In a close game, it was the Sheffield side who scored a brace of goals from Jeff Legue and Jonathan Phillips, both on the receiving end of some luck, with Legue’s goal deflected off the keepers skate, and Phillips’ was gift wrapped the puck by the Grenoble defence, and burying it past Sebastien Raibon.

Grenoble needed to get back into the game, and within 10 minutes of the second period, Grenoble pulled back with Goals from Viktor Wallin and Damien Fleury. This led to the majority of the period being dominated by Grenoble, and if it was not for some outstanding saves from Andrew Verner, Grenoble could have scored more.

Sheffield had to get back into the game, and they did through Robert Farmer’s first ever goal for the Steelers, albeit with an element of luck as the shot deflected over the netminder and into the goal. This was to prove to be the game winning goal, and further strikes from Hubbauer and Hewitt ensured that Sheffield took the three points.

Afterwards, David Matsos was happy with the result

“We stuck to our game plan, and although we had a poor second period, where we exposed ourselves, we’re glad Verner kept us in the game”

“Although It could have been Verner who won the MOM, Legue deserved it, as every time he was on the ice, whether it’s on the Powerplay, Penalty Kill, involved with the face-offs, something always happens, and its normally positive”

“I was happy with Robert Farmer getting his first goal as a Steeler tonight, even more so as he felt pretty guilty after conceding the puck to give Grenoble one of their goals, we had to remind him to forget about it, and keep focus on the game, and he did so in the best possible way”

“We know tomorrow’s (Saturday) game against Salzburg is a massive game, but we have to take it one shift at a time, and work from there. I will allow the boys to enjoy tonight, and recharge the batteries for tomorrow, but I need them to stop making the simple errors that we did today, as if we do it against Salzburg, we will lose, however I know we can perform without doing the simple mistakes”

Sheffield play Salzburg on Day 2 of the Continental Cup Super-Final, and you can catch commentary on Steel Night Live

In Friday's other game Red Bull Salzburg beat Yunost Minsk 4-2 to leave them second behind the British side.

Contact the author dave.grant@prohockeynews.com


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