Pitbulls Take Overtime Loss Against Steeldogs

By Xanthe Boursier-Gazzard

The Drive Bristol North Pitbulls faced a challenging matchup against the Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday in the Pound as they took an overtime loss following an end-to-end sixty minutes of hockey.

In the first period, both teams battled for possession, moving the puck back and forth along the ice, but neither team was able to score early despite shots from Nathan Ripley and Walker Sommer for the visitors, and Jake Bricknell and Calum McGill for the home side. With none of these shots following through to the back of the net, it wasn’t until 16 minutes into the period when Tim Smith took a hooking penalty that the Pitbulls could take the man advantage and open the scoring as John Dunbar took the pass from Sean Morris to take the initial lead. 

Smith was able to equalise for the Steeldogs in the second period, scoring even-handed as the game reached the 30-minute mark. However, just under two minutes later, defenceman Josh Batch for the Pitbulls regained the lead, giving them once again the one-goal cushion that they initially entered the period with and were eager to not lose.

Two penalties rolled in for the Pitbulls in the third period, with both McGill and Bryceland sitting for different calls, giving the Steeldogs their first opportunities on the power play. Ivan Bjorkly-Nordstrom was able to take advantage of this second power play, bringing the puck past Tommy Nappier, once again levelling the scoreline and putting both teams under pressure in the last few minutes of regulation time. The Pitbulls had one more chance playing five-on-four as Emil Oksanen sat a two-minute tripping call; however, Sheffield were able to kill the penalty, deflecting the shots from the home team, bringing the game to overtime.

Overtime was quickly underway, and despite both teams making attempts on net, the Steeldogs managed to pick up the two points as Kyle Watson scored the game-winning goal.

Man of the Match for the visitors went to Tim Smith for his equalising goal in the second period and Reece Cochrane for your Bristol Pitbulls.