5 Goal Weekend for the Ice Man
The Sheffield Steelers made the perfect start to their Motorpoint Elite League campaign with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Glasgow Clan on Sunday afternoon.
Less than 24 hours after scoring twice in Saturday night’s dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over Nottingham Panthers, Mitchell Balmas struck a hat-trick in Glasgow, taking his weekend tally to an incredible five goals.
Dominic Cormier, Ryan Tait and Sean Collins were also on target as Aaron Fox’s side collected their first two league points of the new season with a commanding performance on the road.
First Period – Clan 0, Steelers 3
The Steelers could hardly have asked for a better start.
Just 3:38 into the game, Balmas opened the scoring with an unassisted finish to settle Sheffield immediately.
And the Ice Man wasn’t finished.
At 7:05, Balmas struck again, this time with Brandon Whistle providing the assist, to give the visitors an early 2-0 advantage.
Glasgow’s problems increased when Deven Sideroff was called for high-sticking midway through the period, and although the resulting power play did not produce another goal, the Steelers continued to control proceedings.
Their third eventually arrived at 14:51.
Dominic Cormier joined the attack and finished a move involving Leevi Teissala and Brien Diffley to send Sheffield into the first intermission with a commanding three-goal lead.
Second Period – Clan 0, Steelers 5
The Steelers picked up exactly where they had left off.
Only 1:26 into the middle period, Ryan Tait made it 4-0 after good work from Cormier and Teissala.
Sheffield continued to dictate the pace of the game, combining attacking pressure with a disciplined performance at the other end.
Then came the moment Balmas completed his hat-trick.
At 28:35, the Steelers forward found the net for the third time, with Brandon Whistle and Olivier Archambault collecting the assists.
It capped another superb individual performance from Balmas, who had already scored both Sheffield goals in regulation against Nottingham the previous evening.
Five goals in two games.
And, more importantly, the Steelers were 5-0 ahead heading into the final period.
Third Period – Clan 1, Steelers 6
Sheffield continued to press and added their sixth at 45:05.
Sean Collins became the fourth different Steelers scorer of the afternoon, finishing from Evan Jasper and Macoy Erkamps to extend the advantage to 6-0.
Glasgow finally found a way onto the scoresheet four minutes later when Alex Forbes converted from Cade Neilson and Robert Lachowicz.
Following the goal, Lucas Brine replaced Matt Greenfield between the pipes for the remainder of the contest.
There was little further drama, although Balmas was assessed a delay-of-game minor late in the period.
The Steelers comfortably saw out the closing minutes to complete an impressive 6-1 road victory.
Five-Goal Weekend for Balmas
It was quite a weekend for Mitchell Balmas.
Two goals against Nottingham on Saturday.
Three more in Glasgow on Sunday.
Five goals across two games as the Steelers followed their Challenge Cup victory over the Panthers with a convincing opening win in league competition.
For Aaron Fox’s side, it was exactly the start they wanted.
Two league points. Six goals. And a statement performance on the road.
Final Score: Glasgow Clan 1-6 Sheffield Steelers