Game Summary

Sheffield Steelers made it a perfect four-point weekend, and six on the week with a dramatic shootout victory over the Guildford Flames at The Spectrum, edging the home side 4–3 (SO) after a relentless, high-tempo encounter that demanded their best beyond 65 minutes. Less than 24 hours removed from a grinding one-goal win over Fife, the Steelers entered Surrey knowing the Flames would be hungry to avenge Wednesday night’s overtime defeat in Sheffield where Guildford came back from two goals down in the third period. This time, it was the Steelers who were forced to weather the early storm before responding with composure and resilience.

Guildford came flying out of the gates, out-shooting Sheffield heavily in the opening period and building a 2–0 lead as defensive miscues and tired legs showed. But from the second period onward the Steelers clawed back into the contest, with Cliff Pu and Stephen Harper capitalising on key moments to erase the deficit. Matthew Greenfield, returning to the crease after Eamon McAdam’s strong showing the previous night, grew stronger as the game went on, turning aside 41 shots with several highlight-reel stops.

Evan Jasper’s brilliant wraparound early in the third looked set to complete a huge turnaround, only for a late Guildford powerplay to force overtime with under three minutes remaining. Overtime belonged largely to Sheffield, who created the clearer chances, but Jake Kupsky stood tall. A tense shootout followed, where Mitchell Balmas’ cool finishing twice proved decisive; the “Ice Man” burying both of his attempts to seal the win.

The victory strengthens Sheffield’s momentum heading into a rare full week of rest and preparation before a big weekend double-header against Nottingham and Manchester.

First Period – Flames Strike Twice as Steelers Weather Early Pressure (2-0)

The opening minutes made it clear the Flames intended to push pace early. Inside 90 seconds, Guildford generated danger in front of Greenfield’s crease as Jacome forced a scramble, before Cliff Pu created Sheffield’s first look at the other end, though the puck bobbled as he released. Moments later, Ryan Tait showed his speed down the right but Kupsky knocked aside the snap-shot with his blocker.

The Steelers’ early penalty at 3:22 put them immediately under pressure, and Greenfield was called upon repeatedly, turning aside Cole Ully on a broken play and then smothering a loose puck during a chaotic crease sequence where the net briefly came off its moorings. Even back at five-on-five, Guildford carried most of the momentum, with Greenfield making strong saves on Busch, Talbot, and later Waller as the Flames’ forecheck forced rushed exits from the Steelers zone.

Physical battles escalated midway through the period as Gravelle and Harper tangled by the Steelers bench, then Heard and Ully exchanged words after the whistle. Sheffield managed a couple of encouraging forays; Jasper forcing a turnover and Tremblay testing Kupsky, and Juusola nearly lifting a dangerous backhand attempt into the roof of the net, but opportunities were few and far between.

Guildford’s pressure finally told late in the frame. At 18:24, an odd-man rush allowed Travis Brown to slide a feed to Josh Nixon, who lifted the puck over Greenfield’s pad to make it 1–0. Less than two minutes later, Ethan Strang doubled the lead after Waller muscled two Steelers off the puck at the half boards, leaving Strang free to wire a shot into the top of the net. The Steelers skated into the intermission down 2–0 and being out-shot 19–7, knowing they needed a major reset.

Second Period – Steelers Dig In, Pu Sparks the Comeback (2-2)

Sheffield began the second period with renewed intensity. Jasper delivered a heavy hit on Curti straight from the faceoff, and though Greenfield had to turn away an early Alvaro chance, the Steelers looked sharper and stronger on the puck. Their breakthrough came at 20:57: Stephen Harper worked the puck into the slot, where Cliff Pu stepped in and hammered a pinpoint shot into the top corner, pulling the Steelers within one and reigniting the bench.

The goal energised Sheffield further, and after sustained pressure in the Flames zone, a trip by Gravelle on Ryan Tait handed the Steelers their first powerplay. While Kupsky denied Tait on a jam-attempt and Flames bodies blocked a series of blasts from Tansey, the man advantage laid down a marker that Sheffield were now dictating more of the play. At five-on-five, the game briefly turned chaotic when the puck took a wild bounce off the backboards behind Greenfield, fortunately landing on a Steelers stick rather than a waiting Flames forward.

The period’s major flashpoint came at 27:30. Josh Waller once again used his speed to create a chance, crashing into Greenfield after the initial save before Travis Brown fired the puck in. After a lengthy review triggered by Paul Dixon’s challenge, the officials ruled no goal due to goaltender interference, sending the Steelers to a crucial powerplay.

Sheffield made the Flames pay. With the penalty expiring at 29:33, Harper redirected a puck low through Kupsky’s legs, drawing the Steelers level at 2–2 and flipping the game’s momentum. Greenfield followed with several composed stops, including a sharp push across to deny Busch, while the Steelers generated further chances through Dowd, Gentile, and the hardworking Juusola.

By period’s end, the Steelers had fought their way back into the contest, out-battling Guildford in key moments even as the Flames retained a slight edge in overall shots (27–21). With thirty minutes played, it was all square and everything to play for.

Third Period – Jasper Puts Steelers Ahead but Flames Force OT Late (3-3)

The Steelers started the third exactly how they ended the second, on the front foot. Just 26 seconds in, Evan Jasper produced a moment of individual brilliance, attacking around the back of the net and tucking the wraparound inside the far post past Kupsky’s right pad. In a game where Sheffield needed leaders to step up, Jasper delivered emphatically, giving the visitors their first lead of the night at 3–2.

The Flames responded with urgency. Greenfield turned aside a sharp chance from Busch and another passing sequence from Ully and Strang that ended with a high shot. At the other end, the Steelers continued carving out opportunities; Shudra buzzing near the crease, Tremblay firing a quick snapshot, and strong puck protection from Balmas and Pu helping Sheffield sustain pressure in the offensive zone.

As the clock ticked under ten minutes, Sheffield’s defensive structure tightened further. Tait, Dowd, and Tansey were instrumental in disrupting Flames entries, and the Steelers forced an icing call through sustained forechecking at 51:55. Guildford still found one golden opportunity when Jacome broke free at the back post at 53:50, but the puck rolled agonisingly away as he tried to settle it.

Late tension escalated when Harper was called for boarding Tyler Busch with 2:16 remaining, despite Travis Brown also having earlier initiated contact himself. With the Flames pulling out all the stops on the powerplay, Greenfield made two massive saves on Alvaro, but the rebound fell to Josh Waller, who roofed the tying goal at 58:27. For the second meeting in just four days, these teams required overtime.

Overtime & Penalties – Steelers Dominate OT Before Balmas Seals It in the Shootout

The 3-on-3 overtime was almost entirely played on Guildford ice as Sheffield created multiple glorious chances. Robert Dowd nearly won it on the backhand at 62:10, followed by Balmas cutting into the slot for a low effort at 63:00. Moments later Balmas had the chance of the night, breaking in alone but lifting the puck just over the crossbar. At the death, Mitchell Heard tried to sneak a five-hole attempt through Kupsky, but again the Flames netminder stood firm.

After a scoreless overtime, the shootout awaited. The opening rounds brought nerves as Juusola, Gentile, Pu, and Heard were denied and several Flames shooters were turned away by a composed, confident Greenfield. With the pressure rising, Mitchell Balmas delivered, burying his first attempt with a calm forehand finish.

Guildford briefly extended the contest when Gosselin scored, but Balmas stepped up once more and beat Kupsky again, clinching a 4–3 shootout victory and sparking celebrations from the travelling Steelers contingent.

A gritty, character-filled performance secured both points, backed by Greenfield’s 41 saves and big-game composure. Evan Jasper took home Steelers Man of the Match honours after his go-ahead goal and relentless work rate.

Man of the Match

Sheffield Steelers: Evan Jasper

Guildford Flames: Josh Nixon

Next Up

The Steelers now enjoy a rare midweek break, allowing five days of practice and recovery before a big weekend double-header. Sheffield travel to Nottingham on Saturday night to renew hostilities with the Panthers before returning home Sunday to host the Manchester Storm at the Utilita Arena.

📸 Guildford Flames / Josh Uwins