Defending champions Sheffield Steelkings opened their 2026 British Para Ice Hockey League campaign with a hard-fought 0-3 win away at Manchester Mayhem 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 Ben O Brien doubled the Steelkings’ lead
with just 39 seconds left on the clock to put daylight between the two teams at
the second break and a further strike late in the third – from Daniel Clarke, with
24 seconds left in the game - handed Sheffield a 0-3 victory.
The
netminders at both ends were in fine form – although the Mayhem’s Daniel
Hartshorn was the busiest – and Jonathan Gill and Damien Barker shared a shut-out
in the Sheffield goal.
The
result means that an incredible FOUR teams are 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 as we see Cardiff Huskies take on
Peterborough Phantoms on Saturday 13th June in the Welsh capital,
6.25pm face off.
The following Saturday - 20th June - sees Manchester Mayhem
entertain the Phantoms in Widnes (5.25pm face off) and the Sheffield Steelkings
take on Cardiff at iceSheffield, 6.20pm start.
For more information about the British Para Ice Hockey League, check out the official website HERE
and follow the latest news on their Fabebook page HERE
