This really was a must win game for the Coventry Blaze if they are to have any hope of retaining the Elite League title and at the Sky Dome, they got off to a bad start when Sheffield took the lead on 4.56 when Jeff Basiak scored a power play goal from an Ashley Tait assist.
In a first period that was more like a boxing match, the Steelers went further ahead on 7.16 through Jeff Legue. This was a goal which should not have been allowed as it went under the side netting and saw Blaze coach Paul Thompson go mental at referee Hicks for allowing the goal but delighting the 350 travelling Steelers supporters in a 90% full Sky Dome.
Paul Thompson's were on the score-sheet just over a minute later when Sylvain Deschatelets, who scored against Manchester last night, scored on a power play, assisted by Erik Hjalmarsson and Jon Weaver.
On 9.54, a big fight saw the Blaze's Carlyle Lewis and Leigh Jamieson as well as Scott Basiuk and Randy Dagenais all get five minutes in the sin bin for fighting. Lewis also got an extra two minutes for roughing with Ben O'Connor getting two minutes for cross checking.
Things calmed down for the rest of the period and the second with no goals or any major incidents.
In to the third period and Sheffield went 3-1 up through Finnerty on 54.43. Paul Thompson was so disgusted with this goal that he threw six hockey sticks and a drinks bottle on to the ice and was sent off.
Danny Stewart played well for the Blaze but they did not want to lose this game and the defeat will hit hard.
Tonight, Newcastle beat Cardiff 2-1 after over-time and penalties. Hull beat Nottingham 6-4 and Edinburgh beat Belfast 4-2.
On Saturday, Blaze travel to Basingstoke Bisons then on Sunday, they face Hull Stingrays at the Sky Dome. Face off is at 6pm.
Coventry Blaze are holding a race night at the Jaguar Social Club on Thursday 12th March 2009. Admission will be £2.00 for Adult Non Season Ticket Holders, £1 00 for Adult Season Ticket Holders and all children under 16 will be free but will need to have a ticket.