Game Summary
A shut out for Tony Morrone earned him a Man of the Match award as the Steelers came out victorious over the Cardiff Devils by four goals to nil and extend the already unassailable lead at the top of the Elite League table to 14 points.
Four different goal scorers including a powerplay and short-handed effort was more than enough as the Steelers dominated throughout the sixty minutes as the Steelers called time on home fixtures at the Utilita Arena for the 23/24 season as they now head to Ice Sheffield after a run of away fixtures for their Quarter-Final in the Play Offs.
First Period [0-0]
The first twenty minutes flying by with little to report as both teams were unable to set up any grade-A chances in their respective offensive zones, although Steelers starting netminder, Anthony Morrone was on his game early, getting his pads down to a Ryan Barrow effort within the first two minutes.
Eight and half minutes then elapsed before the first stoppage in play as the Steelers steadily started to work their way into the contest, racking up 11 shots on the goal of opposition starting netminder, Ben Bowns. The best chance of the period for the Steelers coming for Ciampini and Simpson who broke two on one but were unable to finish.
The Steelers also killing off the only penalty of the period as Watling was called to the box for a high sticking penalty as his man came across him at the blue line with the Steelers forward unable to lower his stick in time.
A pretty even period as the teams headed into the second all square.
Second Period [3-0]
Great period for the Steelers in the second as they went into the final period of regulation leading by three.
The first for the Steelers coming straight from the face-off on the first shift at (20.18). Daniel Ciampini going ping off the bar and upright with a perfect snipe top corner. Assisted Watling and Cormier.
The Steelers in full control throughout the twenty minutes, looking dangerous every time they went forward, sending in another 15 shots on the Cardiff goal.
The pressure then telling again for the Steelers at (26.36) as they went two up. Not a classic but every one counts as Josh Nicholls went to the dirty area in the blue paint to send home a puck bobbling around the goal line. Robert Dowd picking up an assist with the initial effort which Bowns was unable to send away as Brett Neumann picked up the secondary assist.
Patrick Watling looked set to make it three for the Steelers as he dangled his way around the Devils’ defence and cut across Bowns, only for the Devils’ netminder to trip the Steelers #14 as he looked for the final backhand. However, the Steelers made full use of the powerplay as Cormier, Harper and Dowd went tic-tac-toe around the zone with Dowd being the man at the back door to send home the puck with a full net on show as Bowns’ was stranded at the other side of his crease. Goal timed at (33.58).
All Steelers in the second as the visitors had an uphill battle in the third to get themselves back into the contest.
Third Period [4-0]
A shut out for Tony Morrone as the Steelers added another in the third for a four goal victory and added two more points to put the Steelers now 14 points ahead at the top of the table.
A powerplay goal in the second and a short-handed effort in the third as the Steelers put up four different goal scorers. The Steelers on the penalty kill after Robert Dowd was called for hooking his man back as they broke through on goal towards Morrone but it was that man Mark Simpson again with his fourth short-handed effort of the season. Goal timed at (48.10) after an initial shot by Brett Neumann was too hot to handle for Bowns and as the puck sit in the crease once again, Simpson was quickest to react and send home into the back of the net.
Eddy
A shut out for Tony Morrone sent him on a lap of honour and an Eddy for a Man of the Match performance and he showed off his dance skills at centre ice.
