Leeds Knights tame Sheffield Steeldogs to secure final showdown against Peterborough Phantoms

By Phil Harrison
Published 27th Jan 2023, 22:28 BST
Updated 28th Jan 2023, 09:56 BST
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IN the end it was a comfortable margin of victory but, for 18 minutes or so, Leeds Knights will have been worried.

Trailing 5-2 from last week’s first leg of this NIHL National Cup final, Sheffield Steeldogs had a mountain to climb when they arrived at Elland Road for the return encounter.

It looked like they were going to pull it off, too, when they found themselves 2-0 ahead with just over 18 minutes gone.

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But, as they have done on so many occasions this season, the Knights responded in typical free-scoring fashion, scoring twice in a minute to tie the game up on the night and restore their three-goal overall lead.

FINAL-BOUND: Cole Shudra and Kieran Brown (right) celebrate Zach Brooks's goal in the second leg of the NIHL National Cup semi-final last night. Picture Bruce RollinsonFINAL-BOUND: Cole Shudra and Kieran Brown (right) celebrate Zach Brooks's goal in the second leg of the NIHL National Cup semi-final last night. Picture Bruce Rollinson
FINAL-BOUND: Cole Shudra and Kieran Brown (right) celebrate Zach Brooks's goal in the second leg of the NIHL National Cup semi-final last night. Picture Bruce Rollinson

When they went 4-2 up in the second it was effectively game over. And even though the Steeldogs pulled one back in the 40th minute, they offered little threat in the third, allowing their Yorkshire rivals comfortable passage through to a final against Peterborough Phantoms.