Tait Scores Arena Opener

The Sheffield Steelers returned to home ice for the first time this season on Sunday, falling to a 3-1 exhibition defeat against the Cardiff Devils at the Utilita Arena.

Cardiff, with several games already under their belts, looked the more settled side for much of the contest and built a three-goal advantage through Panu Mieho, Kohen Olischefski and Riley Brandt.

There were still plenty of encouraging signs from Aaron Fox’s new-look Steelers, with Ryan Tait scoring the first home goal of the season during a spirited third-period fightback.

The afternoon also saw Lucas Brine make his first appearance between the pipes at the Utilita Arena, while captain Robert Dowd brought the crowd to its feet late on after going toe-to-toe with Nolan Yaremko.

First Period (0-1)

The puck dropped at the Utilita Arena for the first time this season in front of a near sell-out crowd, with the Orange Army getting their first opportunity to see Aaron Fox’s new-look side on home ice.

It was the Devils who struck first, however, when an unfortunate bounce beat Matt Greenfield, allowing Panu Mieho to score his second goal of the weekend.

The Steelers went searching for an immediate response.

Leevi Teissala, Dominic Cormier and Sean Collins all went close, with Cormier also finding the post, but there was no way past Cardiff netminder Ben Bowns.

New Steelers defenceman Macoy Erkamps certainly introduced himself to the home crowd with a huge open-ice hit, before Greenfield was called upon at the other end when Thomas Caron broke clear.

The Steelers number one stood tall to make the save and keep the deficit at one heading into the first intermission.

Second Period (0-3)

Cardiff came out strongly after the restart and Greenfield was called into action almost immediately.

The Steelers began to create chances of their own, but it was the visitors who found the second goal at 29:50, Kohen Olischefski doubling the Devils’ advantage.

Aaron Fox then made a change between the pipes at the halfway point of the contest, with Lucas Brine replacing Greenfield to make his first appearance on home ice.

Unfortunately for Brine, Cardiff struck again just 28 seconds later.

A well-worked move across the face of goal found Riley Brandt, who finished to make it 3-0.

The first penalty of the night followed when Steelers newcomer Robbie Stucker was called for high-sticking.

Sheffield killed the penalty well, with Mikko Juusola helping lead the charge, before the Steelers received a power-play opportunity of their own when Jimmy Oligny was called for interference.

There were some good looks for the home side with the extra skater, and the power play carried over into the start of the final period.

Third Period (1-3)

The Steelers began the third with renewed purpose and continued to press during the remainder of the power play.

Cardiff responded with some offensive pressure of their own, but Brine was looking increasingly comfortable in the Steelers goal and made several important stops.

Then, with 6:46 remaining, the Orange Army finally had the moment they had been waiting for.

Mitchell Balmas found Ryan Tait in front of goal and the returning forward produced a neat finish low past Bowns to score the Steelers’ first goal on home ice of the new season.

Suddenly there was renewed belief inside the Arena.

With time running down, Brine headed to the bench for the extra attacker as the Steelers went searching for another.

The closing moments then produced some fireworks.

Captain Robert Dowd delivered a huge hit in the corner which brought a response from Nolan Yaremko, and the pair eventually dropped the gloves at centre ice.

Dowd got the takedown at the end of a spirited bout, with both players receiving five-minute fighting penalties. Oligny was also assessed a game misconduct as tempers boiled over in the closing seconds.

There was to be no further scoring, leaving Cardiff with a 3-1 victory as both sides continued their preparations for the competitive season ahead.

For the Steelers, though, this was another valuable step in bringing a team featuring so many new faces together.

Ryan Tait was named Steelers Man of the Match after scoring the home side’s goal, while Kohen Olischefski collected the award for Cardiff.

Final Score: Sheffield Steelers 1-3 Cardiff Devils