Ben O'Brien and Dan Hartshorn were the respective MVPs for the Steelkings and Mayhem on Sunday (Photo by Paul Breeze)
Sunday
7th June 2026 – BPIHL Match #4: Mayhem 0 - Sheffield Steelkings 3
The Mayhem sledge
team put in a battling performance against defending champions Sheffield
Steelkings but ultimately succumbed to a 0-3 defeat at Planet Ice Widnes on Sunday.
It was a very
closely-contested, high octane encounter - and a great advert for Para Ice
Hockey - which could have gone either way for much of its duration.
After
a tense opening, with chances for both sides, Sheffield eventually took the
lead in the 12th minute with a goal from summer signing Gary Farmer
and the score remained 0-1 at the first period break.
The
second period was just as close until the Steelkings doubled their lead with
just 39 seconds left on the clock to put daylight between the two teams at the
second break.
The
third period followed a very similar pattern – with the Mayhem enjoying plenty
of puck possession but not being able to convert that into scoring
opportunities.
It
was quite a physical game although this was not reflected in the penalty count –
8 for the Mayhem and 4 for Sheffield – as, for the most part, the match
officials let the play flow rather than repeatedly blowing the whistle for constant
stoppages.
Just
as it looked as if the third period would play out goal-less, Sheffield struck another
late goal – this time with just 24 seconds left in the game – and secured a 0-3
victory.
The
MVP (Most Valuable Player) awards were presented by Mayhem sponsor Alex Graham of
Swisspine Galston and went to Ben O’Brien for Sheffield and netminder Dan Hartshorn
for the Mayhem.
Sunday’s
result means that an incredible FOUR teams are now level on points at this
early stage of the league competition, all having one win each.
Sheffield
Steelstings remain top of the league table on goal difference courtesy of their
8-1 win over Peterborough the previous weekend while their rink-mates the
Steelkings now move into second place.
Manchester
Mayhem are third – just above Cardiff Huskies, over whom they have a marginally
superior playing record from the two matches between the two teams - and
Peterborough Phantoms occupy bottom spot with “null points” after their loss to
the Stings in their only game to date.
There is just one game this weekend when Cardiff Huskies take on
Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday 13th June down in the Welsh
capital, 6.25pm face off.
The Mayhem are next in action the following Saturday - 20th
June – when they entertain the Phantoms at Planet Ice Widnes, 5.25pm face off.
