Balmas Hat Trick as Steelers hit 6 Against the Blaze
Steelers were back to winning ways on Saturday night with a convincing 6-1 road win in Coventry
Mitchell Balmas led the way with 3 goals, Robert Dowd, Cliff Pu and Stephen Harper also scored.
Nick Seitz returned to the line up with Jack Dougherty the man missing, Cole Shudra (illness) was a late withdrawal.
Matt Greenfield with the start …
Period 1.
Great start for the Steelers as Mitch Balmas opens the scoring after 3.38 – he goes to the dirty area to claim the goal, Diff with the assist
Micth Head to the penalty box for holding the stick at 5.20 but the Steelers killed well and we were soon back 5 on 5
Captain Robert Dowd doubled the advantage at 8.35 after a nice feed from Stephen Harper
Balmas for 3-0 at 12.18 as he breakaway from Colton Saucerman and goes short side
13.41 and David Clements takes 2 for cross checking and 2 for roughing with Sam Tremblay sitting out 2 for roughing – power play Steelers, but we couldn’t extend the lead further
Balmas to the penalty box at 16.44 for slashing, but the Steelers did extend their lead this time, short handed, Cliff Pu breaking away and scoring at 17.36
Blaze 0-4 Steelers
Period 2
Even opening start to the period as the game opened up with chances either end.
Stewart had replaced Robson between the pipes for the Blaze and he made some stunning saves to keep the score respectable.
27.31 and Jasper to the box for some retaliation after receiving some punishment that went uncalled
Blaze couldn’t make the PP count, in fact Balmas went closest, shorthanded, Stewart again with the save.
Russell with a late hit on Nick Seitz, headed to the box, Stewart though made the saves, especially with a great glove off a blast from Dominic Cormier.
37.44 and Russell back in the box for slashing, this time the Steelers made the Blaze pay as Balmas scored him hat trick goal at 38.51 for a 5-0 lead
End of the second period.
Blaze 0-5 Steelers
Period 3
Early power play for the Steelers just 40 seconds in when overtaken went for high sticks.
Blaze killed after the Steelers had carved open a few chances only to be denied by Stewart
42.45 and Stephen Harper added a 6th with Gentile and Heard assisting
Diffley sat 2 for delaying the game but the Steelers penalty kill was once again outstanding and the Blaze remained scoreless.
Coventry did get onto the board at 53.02, Constable joining the play late and firing home to deny Matt Greenfield’s shut-out
Steelers saw the game out with a final score of Blaze 1-6 Steelers
man of the match “The Ice Man” Mitchell Balmas.