The story was similar for the Manchester Metros who start 2014 with a loss at home. The inability to capitalise on several scoring chances found the team in a familiar spot chasing the game.
Manchester A found offense through the usual suspects of Allen Gunn (De Paioli) and Topi Jylha (unassisted), but were also joined by Callum Notman (Gunn, Valentine). The one man missing from the list? Matt Lowry. This would be his first game of the year where he didn't walk out of the rink with a goal although he did have many chances come his way. His line-mates Jylha and Gunn kept finding him in the hopes of sparking his offensive prowess, but it was not to be had on the night.
Lowry did gut out two periods of the game after falling ill on the bench after his first shift to begin the second period.
Gunn's goal came off a rebound shot from the point as he battled for the rebound to goalie's glove side. Notman's goal was scored via a 2-on-1 with Gunn who slipped the puck through the defender's legs. Notman powered home the puck past the Sheffield goalie. Jylha had a moment of singular brilliance as he danced around two defenders, losing the puck twice in the process. He found the puck in his skates before wristing it over the goalie's shoulder.
In goal, Phil Pearson kept the game close with the help of his defence who allowed him to see the puck easily. The game turned when Sheffield scored on a breakaway following a Metros power play. Sheffield would lead 4-2 following the play.
After battling the game back to 4-3 following Jylha's goal from the slot, Manchester had a full 5 minutes to bring it back level. But their fortunes soured when goalie Phil Pearson stepped out to the hash marks to make a play. The puck was lost to a Bear who easily slotted it into the empty net. The goal extended the lead to 5-3 with 2:45 left. Pearson drops to a 1-3 record on the season, his lone victory this season coming before Christmas in Solihull.
A look ahead: Letting the game slip away late leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for Metros A (2-4). The team now looks towards the final day of January hoping to close the month out with a victory against a strong Nottingham side that will test the up-and-down team. Face off is 2230 from Deeside.
