Game Summary
Sixty minutes of back and forth action this evening saw the Steelers come out on top in an eleven goal thriller, on the road against the Coventry Blaze.
Two short-handed goals, two apiece for Vallerand and Ciampini was added to by Robert Dowd, Scott Allen and Cole Shudra as the Steelers overcame a Blaze team who didn’t give up all night and made for a great contest.
Two more points now gives the Steelers a chance of lifting the Elite League trophy on Cardiff Devils’ ice as we makes the trip west on Wednesday night.
First Period [2-4]
Over half of the game was required last night to find the opening goal, but it was six on the board between the teams by the end of the first twenty. Luckily for the Steelers, four of those goals were in their favour giving them a two-goal advantage heading into the second.
Both teams coming out the blocks quickly with goals in only the third minute. The first coming from the Steelers at (2.27). Brilliant pass from Scott Allen to find linemate Daniel Ciampini in the slot and his one-timer was lasered into the top corner past Kozun.
The lead was only held for 15 seconds before the Blaze leveller at (2.42) on the first shift after the restart. Quality passing again, but this time Cook finding Luciani at the blue paint with a quality tip over Greenfield’s shoulder.
Straight back to business for the Steelers with the lead reinstated in the following minute at (3.20). Captain Robert Dowd with his second of the weekend, ringing one off a couple of posts, giving Kozun no chance with another laser finish. Balmas with the assist.
The game then settled slightly before it was reignited when Cole Shudra lost control of his stick at centre ice and drew blood from his opponent to give him a double minor rest in the penalty box. However, it worked in the Steelers favour with yet another short-handed goal from the penalty killers. Niklas Nevalainen banking the puck off the boards looking to clear the zone but falling nicely into the path of Mikko Juusola to break two on one with Marco Vallerand. Perfect pass across the single defencemen to find Vallerand and he fired home with the one-timer down on one knee at (10.40).
No rest for the Steelers though as the Blaze were back at it and pulled the game back to one goal at (15.22). Another odd-man rush from a broken play in the neutral zone sent Aidan Spellacy free down the left wing who then found Johnny Curran well with another good finish at the back post through Greenfield five-hole.
The offence once again relentless for the Steelers though, constantly looking for goals and going two up again at (18.22). This time through Scott Allen on a feed from Daniel Ciampini with what seemed a common theme on the night with a finish at the back post on one knee.
Roller coaster first twenty with the Steelers two to the good heading into the second period.
Second Period [3-6]
Another twenty minutes of end to end action resulting in another three goals between the two sides. The visiting Steelers getting the better of the period again with two of the three goals, taking their lead to three heading into the final period of regulation.
The Blaze however getting on the scoreboard first in the period early at (23.28). Luciani with his second of the contest as Kevin Tansey blew a tyre need the half boards and the puck landing nicely with Luciani who finished nicely past Greenfield.
Once again though, the Steelers with the quick reply at (24.35). Vallerand equalling the effort of Luciani, also picking up his second of the contest finding the gap over Kozun’s shoulder jumping onto a pass from Mikko Juusola after Juusola stole the puck off the Blaze netminder who was unable to clear the puck out of the zone.
An error from the Blaze defencemen at the half boards then gave the Steelers their sixth and a three goal cushion. A pass out from Kozun jumping over the stick of the Blaze man and was jumped on by Shudra who went back and forth with Nicholls to tap home the simplest of efforts at the netminders crease at (27.17).
A period of rest bite of the media team updating on the game as neither team added to their goal tally for the remainder of the game, despite the Blaze once again nearly conceding on a powerplay as Kozun came up big for his team to deny Ciampini.
Three goals it was for the Steelers to defend heading into the third period.
Third Period [4-7]
A goal apiece for either team in the final period saw the Steelers come out victorious by three.
Credit to the Coventry Blaze who didn’t give up at any point throughout the evening, once again pulling the game closer with a Luciani hat-trick finish at (51.12).
The Steelers just wouldn’t give the Blaze any chance of getting back into the game properly though and restored the three goal advantage once again at (53.17). Another short-handed effort from the immense penalty killers with Ciampini jumping onto a loose puck and racing down the ice to beat Kozun for the Steelers seventh and final goal of the contest.
With the damage done, the Steelers then saw out the remainder of the contest to set up a chance of lifting the Elite League title with victory in Cardiff on Wednesday night.
Up Next
We heard a rumour on X that the Steelers might have a chance at lifting silverware on Wednesday night as we head to Cardiff to take on the Devils. Another away trip is then on the cards on Saturday night before returning home on Sunday to take on the Guildford Flames. Could we be welcoming our League Champions home? Be there at 4pm to find out…!
📸 Scott Wiggins