First Defeat of the Season for the Steelers
Two goals in 80 seconds from Chase Gresock proved decisive as the Sheffield Steelers suffered their first league defeat of the season, going down 7-4 against the Guildford Flames at the Spectrum on Wednesday night.
The Steelers led three times during an entertaining opening 40 minutes before the sides entered the final period tied at 3-3.
Brien Diffley then made it 4-4 early in the third, but Guildford struck three unanswered goals — including Gresock’s quick-fire double — to take the two league points.
Steelers Strike First
Sheffield made a positive start and were rewarded at 5:57 when Sean Collins opened the scoring.
Evan Jasper and Macoy Erkamps combined in the build-up before Collins finished to give Aaron Fox’s side an early 1-0 advantage.
Guildford responded quickly, Jake Willets levelling at 7:28, but the Steelers continued to look dangerous going forward.
Jasper restored the advantage at 15:26, finishing from Brandon Whistle’s pass to make it 2-1.
Once again, however, the Flames found an immediate response.
Just 91 seconds later Karl Boudrias beat Matt Greenfield to send the teams into the first intermission level at 2-2.
Whistle Puts Steelers Back Ahead
The pattern continued during the second period.
Guildford had an early power-play opportunity following a Robert Dowd tripping penalty, but the Steelers killed the minor before regaining the lead for a third time.
At 27:31, Whistle found the back of the net from Olivier Archambault to make it 3-2 Sheffield.
The advantage lasted less than two minutes.
Matt Alvaro equalised at 29:27, with Jack Jacome and Jordan Power involved, and again there was nothing to separate the sides.
Sheffield received a power-play opportunity of their own late in the period when Jonathan Racine was called for cross-checking, but no further goals followed.
After 40 minutes it remained Guildford 3-3 Steelers.
Third-Period Swing Decides It
Guildford moved ahead for the first time at 44:29 when Cole Sanford made it 4-3.
Sheffield’s response was almost immediate.
Just 94 seconds later, Diffley joined the attack and fired home the equaliser, with Ivan Björkly-Nordström and Mitchell Balmas assisting.
At 4-4, the game was delicately poised.
Then came the decisive spell.
Gresock restored Guildford’s advantage at 46:45, finishing from Joshua Waller to make it 5-4.
The Steelers were then called for delay of game, sending Guildford onto the power play.
And Gresock struck again.
His second goal arrived at 48:05, only 80 seconds after his first, extending the Flames’ lead to 6-4 and changing the complexion of the night.
Fox called his timeout as Sheffield searched for a route back into the contest, but further penalties made the comeback increasingly difficult.
With time running out, Greenfield was pulled for the extra attacker at 57:38.
The Steelers pushed for the two goals they required, but it was former Steeler Brett Neumann who completed the scoring, finding the empty net at 59:40 to seal a 7-4 Guildford victory.
Whistle Takes Man of the Match
Brandon Whistle, with a goal and an assist, was named the Steelers’ Man of the Match, while two-goal Gresock collected the award for Guildford.
It was a frustrating finish for Sheffield after an evenly contested opening 40 minutes and a game in which they had led on three separate occasions.
The Steelers now turn their attention back to home ice, with Cardiff Devils visiting the Utilita Arena on Saturday night.
Face-off is at 7.00pm.