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Page last updated at 21:40 GMT, Saturday, 12 September 2009 22:40 UK

Steelers win shoot-out thriller

Jeff Legue
Legue scored 29 goals for the Steelers last season

Sheffield Steelers collected their first win of the new Elite League season beating Belfast Giants on penalty shots.

The two sides played out a scoreless overtime period after ending three periods tied at 2-2.

Jeff Legue netted the only goal of the shoot-out to win it for the Steelers.

Steelers twice took the lead in the opening 60 minutes, with the Giants replying through Pierre-Luc Faubert and Tim Cook.

Sheffield Steelers head coach Dave Matsos told BBC Radio Sheffield it was a much improved performance from his side.

Like last season we must win away from home if we want to win the title whether it takes overtime or penalty shots

Steelers head coach Dave Matsos

"It was much better tonight. We knew we had to be stronger defensively and we have worked hard on that in practice throughout the week, and tonight the guys did the job I expect of them," he said.

"You always know its going to be tough when you come to Belfast and I was really pleased with how we adapted to playing on the road.

"Like last season we must win away from home if we want to win the title whether it takes overtime or penalty shots."

The two sides will meet again at the Sheffield Arena on Sunday afternoon.

"I like playing home and home, its like a mini-series and I feel it can bring the best out of the players over the course of the six periods," Matsos added.

"The one thing we know if we're not on our game at the House of Steel the Giants will be all over us and it will be a long night."



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see also
Winless Steelers face Giants test
10 Sep 09 |  Ice Hockey
Coventry beat Steelers in opener
06 Sep 09 |  Ice Hockey
Legue agrees new deal at Steelers
28 May 09 |  Ice Hockey


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