Steelers fight back from three down in top of table clash

Photo: John Uwins

Sheffield Steelers came from 3-0 down to beat Guildford Flames 4-3 at the Spectrum and close the gap at the top of the table to six points - with three games in hand.

It was a dream start for the Flames, who led by two after the opening period. Sam Marklund's deflection in front gave the home side the lead after 6:50, while Ben O'Connor's rocket of a one-timer beat Matt Greenfield glove side to double the advantage at 13:27. 

Daniel Tedesco finished in close form Brett Ferguson's feed to make it three with 33:43 on the clock, and the Flames could have moved further ahead but for Greenfield saving two quick-fire Turner Ripplinger efforts.

The steelers were back in things when the Flames turned the puck over in the offensive zone and allowed Daniel Ciampini to skate through and score shorthanded with 1:22 left in period two.

Period three, however, belonged to the visitors. Adam Raška brought them back to within one at 42:09, a goal challenge by the Flames bench for goalie interference but not agreed with by the game officials. That put the home side on a penalty kill, and they were maid to pay when Sebastian Piché tied things up 69 seconds later. Brendan Connolly hit the game-winner from a tight angle past Eamon McAdam with 8:23 to go, although the steelers were thankful to their penalty killers for seeing off a 5-on-3 inside the final seven minutes.