Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers were unable to complete a comeback as the Dundee Stars secured a hard-fought 4-2 win at the Utilita Arena on Sunday evening. The defeat marks the Steelers’ third consecutive loss on home ice, spanning domestic and European competitions, and leaves the team searching for answers ahead of a critical week.
Despite outshooting the Stars 10-8 in the opening period, the Steelers struggled to generate high-quality chances. Dundee took the lead at 6:57 through Philippe Sanche, who capitalised on a deflected pass from Brett Gravelle. Sanche’s persistence at the top of the crease gave the visitors a 1-0 advantage.
The Steelers’ attempts to equalise fell short, with their best chances coming late in the frame as Brandon Whistle hit the side netting. Marco De Filippo made key saves to keep the Steelers within one, but a lack of sharpness in attack left the home side frustrated heading into the first intermission.
The Stars extended their lead early in the second period. Cole MacDonald’s power-play goal at 25:08 made it 2-0, with assists from Keanu Yamamoto and former Steeler Ben O’Connor.
Sheffield responded at 32:24 when Mikko Juusola’s stretch pass sent Marco Vallerand in alone. Vallerand finished clinically to cut the deficit to 2-1, igniting the home crowd.
However, Dundee struck back less than a minute later. Domenico Alberga jammed home a loose puck in front of De Filippo at 33:09, restoring the Stars’ two-goal cushion.
Refusing to back down, the Steelers made it 3-2 at 36:16. Maxim Golod, on a delayed penalty, delivered a highlight-reel backhand finish for his first home goal. With momentum on their side, the Steelers dominated the period’s closing minutes but couldn’t find an equaliser before the buzzer.
Trailing by one, the Steelers entered the third period determined to press for a tying goal. However, they couldn’t convert their possession into quality scoring chances against Dundee’s resolute defence.
The Stars landed the knockout blow at 55:08. Keanu Yamamoto finished a two-on-one rush, slamming home Philippe Sanche’s perfect feed to make it 4-2. The Steelers had a late power-play opportunity after Jarrett Fiske was penalized, but Dundee held firm to secure the victory.
Looking ahead, the Steelers will look to regroup as they travel to face the Cardiff Devils midweek before hosting the Nottingham Panthers next Saturday in a must-win clash at the Utilita Arena.
First Period [0-1] – Stars Shine Early as Steelers Struggle in Opening Frame
The Sheffield Steelers endured a frustrating opening period against the Dundee Stars, falling behind 1-0 as their offense was stifled by the visiting side’s disciplined defence. Despite generating 10 shots on goal, the Steelers found themselves lacking in quality opportunities, with Dundee’s Philippe Sanche delivering the lone goal of the frame.
Carrying momentum from their victory against the Manchester Storm the night before, the Steelers iced an unchanged lineup. However, they remained without key players Matt Greenfield, Robert Dowd, Colton Saucerman, and Veeti Vainio. Marco De Filippo retained his spot in goal, facing an early barrage from the Stars.
Dundee wasted no time testing the Steelers’ netminder. Cole MacDonald nearly broke the deadlock with a pass across the crease that narrowly missed a back-post finisher, while Keanu Yamamoto forced De Filippo into a solid save moments later.
The game’s first physical encounter came at centre ice, as Marco Vallerand and Xavier Pouliot exchanged shoves, earning matching two-minute minors for roughing.
The Stars took the lead at 6:57 with a scrappy goal from Sanche, returning to Dundee mid-season. Brett Gravelle orchestrated the play, threading a pass across the crease that deflected into the air. Sanche capitalised at the top of the crease, poking the puck past a sprawling De Filippo.
Dundee nearly doubled their advantage midway through the period when Brandon Harms found himself with a point-blank chance, only for De Filippo to make a clutch save to keep the Steelers within one.
Sheffield’s best chances came late in the period. Daniel Ciampini whiffed on a prime opportunity in front, while Brandon Whistle’s effort struck the side netting. Despite their efforts, the Steelers couldn’t solve Dundee’s netminder Jarrett Fiske, who turned away everything he faced in the opening 20 minutes.
As the buzzer sounded, the Stars headed into the second period deservedly leading 1-0, leaving the Steelers needing to regroup and find their rhythm in the upcoming frames.
Second Period [2-3] – Steelers Battle Back but Stars Maintain Edge Heading into Final Period
The Steelers and Stars found themselves in a back-and-forth second period with each team scoring twice, leaving the visitors clinging to a slim one-goal lead heading into the final frame. Despite flashes of brilliance from the Steelers, a sluggish start to the period and defensive lapses proved costly in their pursuit of a comeback.
The second began with Sheffield on the back foot, as a delayed penalty call resulted in Brandon Whistle heading to the box for hooking. The ensuing Stars power play proved decisive, as Cole MacDonald capitalised at 25:08 with a sharp-angle shot that sailed over Marco De Filippo’s shoulder. Former Steeler Ben O’Connor and Keanu Yamamoto picked up assists on the goal, which extended Dundee’s lead to 2-0.
The Steelers soon had an opportunity to respond when Xavier Pouliot was penalised for boarding Marco Vallerand in the 27th minute. While Sheffield generated pressure during the man advantage, including a near-miss from Daniel Leavens, they failed to find the back of the net.
The breakthrough finally came at 32:24, as Mikko Juusola’s pinpoint stretch pass sent Vallerand on a breakaway. The Steelers forward displayed poise under pressure, tucking the puck under Stars netminder Jarrett Fiske’s blocker to cut the deficit to 2-1.
The momentum shift was short-lived, however. Just 45 seconds later, Dundee restored their two-goal advantage at 33:09. Domenico Alberga capitalised on a loose puck at the top of the crease, jamming it past De Filippo after a feed from behind the net by Brendan Harms, with O’Connor earning his second assist of the game.
Refusing to back down, the Steelers ramped up their offensive efforts, and their persistence paid off at 36:16. Maxim Golod, fresh off a two-goal performance in Manchester, netted his first goal at the Utilita Arena with a dazzling backhand finish on a delayed penalty. Kevin Tansey, who had recorded a hat-trick the previous night, was instrumental in creating the play.
Sheffield dominated the final minutes of the period, with Dundee beginning to show signs of fatigue. Defenseman Dominic Cormier spearheaded the attack, generating multiple chances as the Stars scrambled to clear their zone.
Heading into the third period, the Steelers looked to carry the momentum from their late-period surge as they aimed to complete the comeback and secure a vital home victory.
Third Period [2-4] – Steelers Fall Short Against Stars, Suffer Third Straight Home Defeat
The Steelers’ bid for a comeback fell short as the Dundee Stars secured a 4-2 victory at the Utilita Arena, handing the home side their third consecutive loss across all competitions. Despite flashes of promise and outshooting the visitors 31-21, the Steelers struggled with inefficiency in front of goal and defensive lapses, leaving them without answers in a critical league encounter.
The Steelers came into the final frame trailing by one, but their inability to capitalise on momentum from the second period proved costly. Finishing with a 6.45% shooting efficiency, the offensive units were left frustrated, while goaltender Marco De Filippo, with an 80.95% save percentage, couldn’t stem the tide at the other end.
Dundee delivered the dagger at 55:08. With the Steelers’ power play just expired, Keanu Yamamoto extended the Stars’ lead on a two-on-one rush. Philippe Sanche, a constant threat throughout the night, delivered a pinpoint pass that evaded Kevin Tansey’s stick, setting Yamamoto up for a tap-in at the back post with a wide-open net.
Sheffield had one last glimmer of hope when Stars netminder Jarrett Fiske was penalised for delay of game after sending the puck over the glass. However, the Stars’ defensive unit stood firm, frustrating the Steelers’ attackers and seeing out the win to take the two points back to Scotland.
The Steelers, now eager to erase tonight’s result from the memory, will aim to regroup and recover key players from injury. They hit the road midweek for a showdown with the Cardiff Devils on Wednesday before returning to home ice next Saturday to face their long-time rivals, the Nottingham Panthers.
