Last weekend the Sheffield Spartans face the Kingston Jets for the second time in as many weeks. After a disappointing performance at Hull, the Spartans were keen to come away with a convincing win on home ice.

Sheffield started the game well, with fast skating, accurate passing and creating good shooting opportunities. A well worked powerplay saw an in-form Scott Morris get the opening goal. As the fast tempo continued, both teams received penalties and towards the end of the period Ryan Handisides sat for two minutes. The Spartans managed to control possession and kill the penalty, as Handisides stepped out of the box Will Barron sent him a breakaway pass and Ryan made the score 2-0 with a composed move on the Hull netminder, putting the puck high into the top corner.

The Spartans came out in the second period with the intention of killing off the game. However the Jets had other ideas as they took advantage of a powerplay situation and pulled the score back to 2-1. Sheffield continued to push for a third goal, with a number of players coming close as Mark Turner hit the crossbar with a hard snap shot from the top of the circles. Scott Morris soon found the net once more and extended the lead to 3-1 to complete the second period.

The Jets came out flying in the third period, chasing every loose puck and fighting for possession, but the Spartans quality passing and movement prevented them from creating any clear cut chances. With around seven minutes remaining Dan Hughes made it 4-1 with his fourth goal of the season (a personal best), his slapshot from point found its way through the Jets netminders legs. Matt Haywood completed the scoring with a shorthanded slapshot goal with only minutes remaining.

Final Score: Sheffield 5 – Kingston 1

The Spartans achieved exactly what they set out to do with a convincing win and another game closer to their ENIHL cup title defence.

Scott Morris 2+0, Matt Haywood 1+1, Ryan Handisides 1+0, Dan Hughes 1+0, Will Barron 0+2, Andrew Turner 0+1, Chris Turner 0+1, Shaun Ashton 0+1.

This Saturday the Spartans face Blackburn, a team they drew against 4-4 at ice Sheffield a few weeks ago. They will have to be at their best to beat an ever improving Hawks team.

Face off is 16.15pm at iceSheffield