Mitchell Balmas enjoyed quite a weekend.
Two goals against Nottingham Panthers on Saturday night followed by a hat-trick less than 24 hours later in Glasgow.
Five goals in two games as the Steelers collected a Challenge Cup victory over their biggest rivals and then opened their Motorpoint Elite League campaign with an emphatic 6-1 road win against Glasgow Clan.
Yet, typically, Balmas was more interested in the results than his own personal numbers.
“It’s always nice to be able to contribute to the team and help out,” he said.
“But at the end of the day, the individual stuff is secondary.
“Four points is what I’m most happy about and now we’re going to look to keep moving forward.”
Ready From the Start
Sunday presented a very different challenge for the Steelers.
After the emotion and intensity of Saturday night’s 3-2 overtime victory against Nottingham, the players faced an early morning, a bus journey north and another game less than 24 hours later.
There was no slow start.
Balmas scored twice inside the opening eight minutes as the Steelers raced into a 3-0 first-period lead before eventually completing a convincing 6-1 victory.
“I thought we were ready to play early on,” he said.
“Even with the quick turnaround, the early morning and the bus ride, we came out ready.
“We were able to capitalise on our chances early and from there I thought we controlled the game pretty well.”
Breaking Down the Hat-Trick
Balmas’ first goal came just 3:38 into the contest.
“Diff makes a nice play through the middle and gets the puck loose,” he explained.
“I was able to get there first and just get a quick shot away.”
His second followed little more than three minutes later.
“That one might have been a little bit lucky,” he smiled.
“It hit a broken stick in the slot and came to me, but again I just tried to get the shot away quickly and was able to beat the goalie.”
Photos: Rachel Jardine
Then came the hat-trick goal midway through the second period.
This time Brandon Whistle provided the opportunity.
“Wis makes a fantastic play,” said Balmas.
“He draws the guy in at the blue line, waits and then slides the puck across perfectly.
“I was able to pick my spot, which was nice.
“But most importantly it helped us get the two points and start the league season the right way.”
A Weekend to Remember
Balmas had already played a starring role the previous evening against Nottingham.
With the Steelers trailing 2-1, he scored his second goal of the night to force overtime before Ryan Tait eventually secured the victory.
Twenty-four hours later came three more.
But Balmas knows that early-season individual statistics mean little compared with what the team can achieve together.
The opening weekend brought two very different victories.
Against Nottingham, the Steelers had to battle and find a way through a tight rivalry contest.
In Glasgow, they took control early and never allowed the Clan back into the game.
Both, Balmas believes, are important experiences for a group still developing its identity.
Next Stop – Guildford
There is little time to reflect.
The Steelers are back on the road on Wednesday when they head to Guildford for another Motorpoint Elite League fixture.
It will be a return to the rink where Sheffield recently had to recover from three goals down before eventually winning in a shootout.
And after opening their league campaign with two points in Glasgow, Balmas knows the challenge now is to keep building.
The season is only just beginning.
There will be harder nights ahead and plenty of hockey still to play.
But five goals in one weekend isn’t a bad way for the Ice Man to get started.
Five goals. Two wins. Four points for the team.
And for Mitchell Balmas, it is that final number that matters most.