Coventry Blaze were beaten 4-1 by Sheffield Steelers in an Elite League game at the Sky Dome tonight.
In a match, described by coach Paul Thomson as a must win game which was shown live on Sky Sports 2, something which had an affect on the attendance, Coventry had the early pressure after surviving a powerplay.
On 5.47, Luke Fulghum, who moved to The Steelers four weeks ago, flicked past Hirsh to put Sheffield ahead, with an unassisted goal.
Sheffield, who have not lost their last five matches against the Blaze, broke with a two on one and Mike Ramsey made it 2-0 on 8.47, assisted by Jeff Legue and then a pass on 10.05 from the halfway line was seized upon by Jonathan Phillips who scored Sheffield's third.
Paul Thompson immediately called a time out before Shea Guthrie fired wide and Hirsh saved from Leque as the period ended with Sheffield 3-0 up.
The Blaze came out a bit more fired up for the second period. With the sides four on four, Hirsh made a great save before Guthrie had two good chances.
On the powerplay, Mike Ramsey latched on to a pass from the wing and he lashed a shot into the net to put Sheffield 4-0 upon 30.45.
The handbags were out when Robert Farmer and Park got into the Steelers but it was Jason Hewitt who ended up serving a two minute penalty.
On 33.30, Coventry pulled one back when a Mike McLean shot was saved by Decaro and Bryan Jurynec followed up with a low drive into the net.
Into the third and with eight minutes to go, Mike McLean hit the post but there were no more goals and the Blaze went down to a 4-1 defeat.
The Blaze travel to Dundee on Sunday.