Sheffield Steelers go into the second leg of their Elite League playoff against Manchester Phoenix with just a single goal advantage.
Playoff finely balanced ahead of Altrincham showdown
Sheffield Steelers travel to Altrincham on Sunday with just a single goal advantage over Manchester Phoenix after a riveting bmibaby Elite League playoff first leg win.
Sheffield beat Phoenix 5-4 on Friday night in a game that saw the lead change hands five times.
Joe Talbot gave the Steelers a dream start after one minute, scoring from close range before visiting skipper Scott Basiuk latched on to an inch perfect pass from Tony Hand to power his shot past goalkeeper Lehman.
The teams proceeded to exchange goals, Phoenix edging in front thanks to Simon Mangos and Sheffield equalising courtesy of Dan Tessier.
It was now the home side's turn to take the lead Phillips scoring for the Steelers. But the visitors hit back, American Luke Stauffacher ensuring the scores stayed level.
Omar Ennaffati put Phoenix ahead after Brett Clouthiers' shot bounced off Lehman's pads straight into his path just past the 37 minute mark.
Phoenix might have stretched their lead in the final quarter thanks to Brian Passmore and Joe Tallari but were denied by superb saves from Lehman before Jason Hewitt levelled the score for Sheffield.
Sheffield scored the winner on 52 minutes, Doug Sheppard nipping in at the back post to slot the puck in.
Phoenix player-coach Tony Hand said: "Our guys battled superbly tonight. Before the game if I'd been offered a one goal deficit to take back to Altrincham on Sunday, I'd probably have taken it.
"I cannot fault the effort at all tonight, we worked our socks off and had we not been shorthanded quite so much, who knows how it might have gone.
"Everyone contributed tonight and we'll look forward now to Sunday."
