Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers opened their 25/26 campaign in emphatic fashion on home ice, recording a 5–2 victory over the Guildford Flames in front of a raucous crowd of more than 7,500 at the Utilita Arena. It was a night that marked the beginning of a new season and a 5th campaign under head coach Aaron Fox, with his side showing both resilience and attacking flair to kick things off in style.
The opening two periods were tense and hard-fought, with neither side willing to give much away. Sheffield struck first through Brien Diffley in a scrappy opener, but the Flames responded early in the second through Cole Ully to level the contest. With the game finely poised at 1–1 heading into the final frame, it was all to play for.
The third period, however, belonged to the Steelers. Two quick-fire strikes from Derek Gentile swung the momentum firmly in Sheffield’s favour, and although Guildford hit back with a shorthanded effort, the hosts showed their class with further goals from Jordon Southorn and Cliff Pu to seal a deserved win. It was a performance that underlined Sheffield’s attacking depth and defensive commitment, with Gentile’s man-of-the-match heroics the highlight of an electric opening night.
The Steelers now move on with confidence, facing a trip to Cardiff on Sunday in Challenge Cup action before back-to-back road games against Nottingham and then returning home against Manchester Storm.
First Period – Steelers Set the Tone (1–0)
The new season began with intensity from the first drop of the puck. Ryan Tait, one of the summer signings from Guildford, immediately made his presence felt with a thunderous hit that set the tone for the evening and delighted the home supporters. The Steelers quickly established dominance, generating several chances in the opening five minutes. Dominic Cormier and Mitchell Balmas combined neatly at the blue line, only to be denied by Flames netminder Justin Fazio’s shoulder, while Robert Dowd and Kevin Tansey both tested the Guildford defence with dangerous efforts.
The crowd thought they had their breakthrough when Evan Jasper ripped a shot from the left wing that rippled the side netting, prompting a premature roar from the stands. Soon after, Tait turned provider, threading a clever pass to captain Dowd in the slot, but the effort was fired too high. The Steelers’ speed and puck movement were clear, putting Guildford under sustained pressure, but Fazio remained firm between the pipes.
At the other end, Guildford began to grow into the period. Jamal Watson forced Matthew Greenfield into his first real save of the night with a deflection from close range, before Mathieu Gosselin and Marcus Tesink tested the Steelers’ resolve with efforts that Greenfield dealt with calmly. The Flames began to settle, but Sheffield’s relentless pressure finally told.
At 15:50, a goalmouth scramble saw the puck bundled over the line with Brien Diffley credited for the opener. Though a Flames defenceman appeared to get the final touch, it was the Steelers’ aggressive forecheck and willingness to crash the crease that created the breakthrough. Fazio had no chance to recover, and Sheffield deservedly had the lead. Guildford pushed back late, with Tyler Prezisuo testing Greenfield on the backhand, but the Steelers carried a 1–0 advantage into the first intermission, outshooting their opponents 24–14 and showing clear signs of their attacking intent.
Second Period – Flames Hit Back (1–1)
Sheffield came out of the intermission still brimming with energy, as Mikko Juusola forced Fazio into an early save with a low effort from the right. Evan Jasper then voiced his frustration after taking what looked like a high hit in front of goal, as the physical edge of the game began to increase.
It was the Flames, however, who struck next. Just shy of the 23rd minute, Sheffield failed to clear their lines at the blue line, and Guildford capitalised. Jake Coughler fed Cole Ully in space, and the Flames forward unleashed a laser above Greenfield’s glove to level the contest at 1–1. It was a clinical finish, punishing one of Sheffield’s rare defensive lapses on the night.
The Steelers had their chances to respond, including a shortened powerplay on Curti before Stephen Harper was called for a face-off violation. Cole Shudra went close from a tight angle, while Derek Gentile fired just over after being set up by Stephen Harper.
Tempers flared late in the period. A tripping call on Sam Tremblay sparked afters, with the Flames taking exception to Robert Dowd firing the puck after the whistle. Dowd and Jake Gravelle wrestled to the ice, both handed minor penalties as emotions boiled over. With the sides even and time winding down, Greenfield stood tall again to deny Mathieu Gosselin at the net front. The period ended with the score tied 1–1, setting up a decisive final frame.
Third Period – Steelers Take Control (5–2)
The third period began with a scare as Guildford almost took the lead through Ully at the back post, but Greenfield and the iron combined to keep the puck out. That moment proved pivotal, as seconds later Sheffield seized control.
At 41:44, Derek Gentile opened his competitive Steelers account, working a neat give-and-go with Juusola before snapping a shot past Fazio at the near post to restore the lead. Just three minutes later, Gentile struck again, this time dancing around his man in the slot before rifling a pinpoint finish above Fazio’s blocker. In the blink of an eye, Sheffield had turned a tense contest into a 3–1 advantage, and the crowd erupted.
Greenfield then showcased why he is one of the league’s top netminders, producing four saves in rapid succession to deny the Flames a way back into the contest. It was a critical spell of resilience that gave the Steelers the platform to push on.
Although Guildford briefly reignited hopes through a shorthanded goal from Jake Coughler, who broke down the wing and finished neatly past Greenfield at 51:05, Sheffield’s response was immediate. Just 53 seconds later, Jordon Southorn unleashed a rocket from the slot that gave Fazio no chance. A minute on, Cliff Pu rounded off the scoring by burying the rebound from Ryan Tait’s initial effort, hammering home Sheffield’s fifth of the night.
From there, the Steelers managed the game superbly, shutting down Guildford’s advances and seeing out the final minutes with composure. The final horn confirmed a 5–2 victory, sending the home fans into raptures and underlining the Steelers’ intent for the season ahead.
Post-Game Notes
Derek Gentile deservedly claimed the Man of the Match honours for his two-goal performance, celebrating with his first “Eddy” skate in Steelers colours to the delight of the Sheffield faithful. The result not only maintained Sheffield’s strong recent home record against Guildford but also laid down a marker for the season ahead.
Next up is a quick turnaround as the Steelers head to Cardiff for Challenge Cup action tomorrow evening. With early momentum now secured, Aaron Fox’s men will look to carry this confidence onto the road before returning to home ice against the Manchester Storm on Sunday 21st.
