Steelers crowned champions

Sheffield Steelers crowned 2008/09 champions - pic Rik Rayner

Elite League results:
Steelers 4-1 Vipers
Blaze 1-4 Stingrays
Bison 2-7 Panthers
Devils 3-4 Capitals
Challenge Cup final first-leg:
Phoenix 4-3 Giants

Sheffield Steelers were crowned Elite League champions for the second time in the club's history after a 4-1 road success at Newcastle Vipers on Sunday night.

The title was confirmed after Hull Stingrays produced one of the shock results of the season to defeat second-placed Coventry Blaze 4-1.

The results ensured that it is now mathematically impossible for Blaze to catch Steelers - queue a wild night of celebrations in South Yorkshire.

Dave Matsos' charges came from one goal behind at the Metro Arena before a final period blitz saw Steelers snatch the spoils in the north east.

Derek Campbell's 20th goal of the season sent the home fans into raptures at 3.43, however that was to be as good as it got for play-off chasing Vipers.

Robert Dowd got the visitors back on level terms at 38.33 before Joey Talbot, Ashley Tait and then Jeff Legue sealed the win, and then the title.

News of the title success was confirmed after Hull put in an inspired display at the Coventry SkyDome to reignite their hopes of edging out Edinburgh Capitals for the final play-off place.

Blaze started the better and took the lead at 3.22 with a strike by Sylvain Deschatelets, but the visitors fought back and levelled at 8.47 through Lee Esders.

Stingrays, and more specifically Jeff Glowa, stunned the home supporters by finding the net at 31.26 on the powerplay, giving them that slender edge going into the vital third period.

The turning point of the match came when the prolific Adam Calder missed a penalty shot at 48.14 and then at 50.05 the visitors took full advantage of a 5 on 3 powerplay opportunity when Pavel Gomenyuk gave Stingrays a 3-1 lead.

Blaze toiled throughout the final period, and, after Blaze boss Paul Thompson had dragged goaltender J F Perras off for the extra skater, Jason Konstadine sealed a sensational win with 27 seconds remaining.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Nottingham Panthers completed a weekend to remember by following up their derby win over new champions Sheffield on Saturday by hammering Basingstoke Bison 7-2.

The defeat for rock-bottom Bison extended their losing run to an EIHL record worst ever of 23 games.

The visitors were always in control of this game and took a 2-0- lead after the opening period thanks to goals from Marc Levers and player/coach Corey Neilson.

Mark Richardson and a second of the game for Levers at 31.50 put Panthers 4-0 ahead before Bison broke their duck and Corey LeClair opened their account at 34.46.

Panthers went 5-1 ahead at 45.18 thanks to Bruce Richardson before Brent Hughes gave the home fans another brief cheer moments later.

However Nottingham finished strongly and further counters by Brendon Cook at 53.22 and Mark Richardson at 58.32 completed the rout.

Edinburgh Capitals remain three points ahead of Hull in the race for the final play-off place with an impressive 4-3 road win over Cardiff Devils.

Sean Perkins' late strike proved the difference for the Caps as the race to finish in the top eight moves into the final stages.

The final game on Sunday evening saw Manchester Phoenix edge out Belfast Giants 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at the Altrincham Ice Arena.

The match, the first leg of the Challenge Cup final, was played at a frenetic pace throughout as Manchester claimed a slender advantage heading into the second leg on March 17.

George Awada, Colin Shields and Andrew Martin all found the back of the net for Giants, however goals from Luke Fulgham, Bruce Mulherin, Brett Clouthier and David Beauregard saw Manchester edge ahead after the first 60.