Ice Hockey: Steelers are inspired

The Sheffield Steelers coach Mike Blaisdell paid a compliment to one of his unsung heroes after his team retained the Superleague Play-off trophy at Nottingham's National Ice Centre on Sunday.

The Steelers had to come from 3-1 down to force overtime and a penalty shoot-out against the first-time finalists, Manchester Storm. The Steelers netminder, Ryan Bach, saved all five of the Storm penalties, with Brad Lauer sealing a second successive post-season triumph for Sheffield by scoring from the only successful attempt.

Blaisdell singled out Mark Dutiaume, who moved to Sheffield just before deadline day from Fife Flyers, for special praise. Blaisdell said: "He came in out of Fife and everyone said 'Duta-who?'. But he gave our third line stability and strength and changed our whole make-up."