Game Summary
Four different goal scorers for the Steelers were enough to bring the two points on offer back to Sheffield tonight as they overcame the Fife Flyers by four goals to three and add to their lead at the top of the Elite League table.
A short-handed first period goal from Scott Allen was added to by Patrick Watling, Mikko Juusola and Man of the Match, Josh Nicolls in the second to put the game out of the reach of the Fife Flyers as we now head back to the Utilita Arena to take on the Flyers once again on our Teddy Toss night.
Pre-Game
The Steelers had to settle for only one point last night as the Guildford Flames took the two points on offer after penalties as the Steelers were unable to find the back of McAdam’s net on any of their four attempts.
The Steelers will however take solace from their fight back as the Flames did lead by two goals and will hope to bring their second half form from last night into tonight’s fixture, on the road against the Fife Flyers.
The one point was still enough to see the Steelers continue to lead the pack at the top of the Elite League table as their competition tonight are at the opposite end of the table in 10th place with six wins from their 17 played.
Coach Fox named the same team which iced last night and also stuck with the same lines as Greenfield would once against lead the boys out onto the ice, backed up by Angus Laing as new signing Vinnell waits for his Steelers debut on the sidelines with Sam Jones who is out for at least six weeks on the injury reserve list.
First Period (0-1)
A period of what felt like a ‘what could have been’ for the Steelers as they racked up 23 shots on Fife netminder, Shane Owen, but were reduced to only one goal via a short-handed effort as a number of one-on-one chances were sent high or wide by the Steelers forwards.
Fife were clearly struggling from the outset with the speed of the Steelers squad, with Brett Neumann and Mikko Juusola posing particular threats, often hemming the Flyers into their own zone for prolonged periods of time.
But it was Ciampini who created the only goal of the period for the Steelers at (16.22) as Josh Nicholls was sent to the penalty box for a dubious boarding call as both players involved looked as confused when the whistle was blown. However, it worked in the Steelers favour as Ciampini used his strength to win the puck back behind the Flyers net and fed Scott Allen out in-front who buried his effort top shelf.
Another Neumann effort was then sent away with the quick pad of Owen as the Steelers took the one goal lead into the second period.
Second Period (2-4)
An all action second period saw five goals added, with three of those being scored by the Steelers to add one goal to their lead from the first period.
The Steelers adding their second early in the period at (25.15) as Watling was strong at the Flyers blue line to win the puck battle, skate in and picked his spot above Owen’s glove with a lovely snipe as Cole Shudra picked up another assist on defensive duties.
Credit to the Flyers who then fought back hard to level the game over the next six minutes with goals at (26.17) and (31.15). The first coming courtesy of Lajeunesse with a nice finish five-hole on Greenfield after taking the puck at close range from Eriksson as Osterberg picked up the secondary assist.
The first from Lajeunesse was then followed up by Humitz who got himself in behind the Steelers defence at the back-post to finish off a nice cross zone pass from Shirley. Sean Giles also with a point for the assist.
But it was then all Steelers as they dominated the rest of the period and found two further goals of their own at (36.12) and (38.12), not before some afters between Ciampini and Pouteau and a pile on behind the Steelers goal after a Flyer left their stick in on Greenfield.
Mikko Juusola adding the Steelers third goal as he got himself in at Owen’s blue paint to finish off a Watling effort from inside the blue line. There was talk of a review for potential goalie interference, but the Flyers coach thought better of it as the goal stood as a good one.
Fourth goal coming via Josh Nicholls who again finished from close range as Scott Allen’s tight angled effort deflected off the outside of the net and Nicholls was quickest to react to find the gap five-hole on Owen.
Third Period (3-4)
Nervous times for the remainder of the game for the Steelers as they were unable to add to their four goals from the first two periods. All in all, the Steelers managed 50 shots on Shane Owen’s goal and would be hoping for more efficiency in the goal column, but four goals would be enough despite the Flyers pulling it back to a one goal game at (53.02).
Vitalijs Pavlovs with the third Flyers goal as the post seemed to have kept it a two goal game for the Steelers, but they were unable to clear the crease and Pavlovs reacted well to send the loose puck into the back of Greenfield’s goal.
The Steelers were helped out later in the period by Sean Giles who took an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty after some pushing and shoving around the penalty boxes with Ciampini and the Steelers took advantage, controlling the puck to leave only a minute left to play as the Flyers pulled Owen for the extra attacker, but it was to no avail as the Steelers headed back to Sheffield with two points.
Awards & Table
Josh Nicolls and Troy Lajeunesse were awarded with the Man of the Match awards as the two points added to the Steelers lead at the top of the league table.
Up Next
It’s Teddy Bear toss night up next for the Steelers as we head back to the Utilita Arena to take on tonight’s opponents, the Fife Flyers once again. 7pm face-off – See you there with your teddies ready to hit the ice!
📸 Flyers Images