Seahawks Come Back Twice to Take Four Points Against Yorkshire Rivals
Hull Reckitt Seahawks v Sheffield Steeldogs – 29/12/2024
It is often said that the comeback is always stronger than the setback, an assessment that perfectly encapsulates the four-point weekend that the Hull Reckitt Seahawks enjoyed against Yorkshire rivals the Sheffield Steeldogs, as they fought back from 4-1 down not just once, but twice in both fixtures to secure back-to-back 5-4 victories.
The Seahawks needed points after defeats to the Solway Sharks (3-2) and Leeds Knights (7-3) before Christmas and wanted to round-off 2024 on a high note against the Steeldogs.
On Saturday, Hull made the short trip to south Yorkshire for the first of the double header and were cheered on by a sizeable away following.
However, it would be the Steeldogs who would seize control of the contest, scoring on the powerplay, at 03:49, through Walker Sommer; assisted by Elmeri Hallfors and Samuel Tremblay; as Jason Hewitt sat a two-minute penalty for cross checking.
Not five minutes later, Sheffield would double their lead through Nathan Ripley, assisted by Jonathan Kirk and Hallfors.
The second period was an ill-disciplined affair from both teams, with a succession of penalties called. The most consequential of these was when Steeldogs forward Brady Doxey was sat for tripping and Hull capitalised, at 28:25, with Canadian forward Johnny Corneil netting a goal to half the deficit, assisted by Hewitt and Bobby Chamberlain.
With the Seahawks on the hunt for an equaliser, the Steeldogs went in search of a cushion and scored two goals to extend their lead at 32:23, through Tremblay, and 35:16, through Ripley; with his second marker of the night; to take the game into the second period intermission at 4-1 to the home side.
What can only assume was a frank exchange of views in the Seahawks locker room saw the first of the weekend’s comebacks play out in the third period as Hull emerged back onto the ice suitably eager.
The period was barely two minutes old when quick fire goals, at 41:12 and 41:37, by Chamberlain and Spurr, respectively, brought the game back to within a single goal.
The equaliser followed five minutes later, on 47:57, through Josh Hodgkinson, assisted by Jamie Chilcott.
Not even a timeout by the Steeldogs could stop the momentum that the Seahawks had built up and the winning goal came, on 51:15, through Lee Bonner, assisted by Hewitt and Corneil, to cap an enthralling win and ensure the much-needed points came back to Hull.
If this victory wasn’t enough of a belated Christmas present for the fans, it got even better post-match when the team announced on its social media channels that defenceman Declan Balmer was returning to the club for the remainder of the season.
On Sunday, in front of another sellout crowd, the Seahawks were hoping for a less stressful night at Hull Arena, but the game would follow a similar script as the night before, but with a twist.
While the Steeldogs would go ahead, on 06:27, through Sommer, assisted by Tremblay and Jonathan Phillips, the first period would end 1-1 thanks to a Spurr equaliser on 17:46, with the forward tipping in a floated effort from the blue line from defenceman Lee Haywood.
Like the night before, the Steeldogs would endeavour to make the second period their own.
Goals from Phillips, at 21:10, Sommer, at 24:32, and a shorthanded effort from Ivan Bjorkly-Nordstrom, at 27:12, saw Sheffield take control of the game.
However, keen not to leave the comeback too late this time, the Seahawks rallied and scored two powerplay goals, firstly at 33:34, through Owen Sobchak, as the Steeldogs incurred a two-minute bench penalty for delaying the game, and then on 36:25, through Corneil, as Tremblay sat a two-minute penalty for tripping.
The sides went to the locker room with the score at 4-3 to the visitors and all to play for in the final 20 minutes.
A more solid defensive performance in the third period would lay the groundwork for the Seahawks second comeback and win in two nights.
On 48:43, Bonner tied the score up with an effort from the blue line and the winning goal came from Hewitt, on 58:46, when the veteran forward scored from an acute angle, putting his shot in off the sprawling Daniel Crowe in the Steeldogs net.
“The character we have shown in both of these games is exactly what we need right now,” said Seahawks Head Coach Matty Davies.
“While we might not have played at our best, we needed these results. I cannot praise my players enough for digging deep and getting the job done.”
Identifying the need for defensive solidity going into 2025, Davies had special praise for the returning Balmer.
“There aren’t many better Brits at this level than him. Everyone wants a ‘Dec Balmer’. He has been the backbone of this team for the past two seasons, so getting him back now, at this stage of the season, is huge for us.”
Looking ahead to the next two matches, away at the Leeds Knights and at home to the Telford Tigers, Davies believes the fans’ support will be key heading into the New Year and beyond.
“It is now downhill until the end of the season. Our fans have been fantastic all year and deserved the wins this weekend.
“Leeds is a tough rink to go too, but we’ve been there and got the win before and we will be looking to do the same again. It is then back to our place to face Telford. We need to keep packing the arena between now and the end of the season to inspire us, qualify for the playoffs and then who knows.”
By Mark Bateman
