Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers put on a clinic at the Utilita Arena, dismantling the Fife Flyers 8-0 in their Pride Weekend finale. A five-goal opening period set the tone, and the Steelers maintained their dominance across all three frames, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games with a relentless performance.
The Steelers came out firing, with Patrick Watling opening the scoring at 1:41 on the powerplay, finishing a smooth tic-tac-toe play from Dominic Cormier and Mitchell Balmas. Maxim Golod doubled the lead at 11:23 with a blazing wrist shot from the left wing, assisted by Daniel Leavens and Mark Simpson.
Mikko Juusola made it 3-0 at 13:57, tipping in a perfect feed from Watling, with Balmas collecting another assist. Just 39 seconds later, Leavens pounced on a rebound for the fourth goal, with Golod and Simpson contributing assists. Veeti Vainio capped the dominant period at 18:38, firing a precise low blocker-side shot off a feed from Leavens.
The Flyers managed to keep the scoring down in the middle frame, but the Steelers added a sixth goal at 36:16. Dominic Cormier’s blast from the blue line found its way through traffic, thanks to a perfect screen by Ivan Bjorkly-Nordstrom. Daniel Ciampini and Joona Huttula were credited with the assists.
Despite Shane Owen’s heroics in net for the Flyers—facing 22 shots in the period—his team couldn’t generate momentum. Matthew Greenfield remained sharp for the Steelers, stopping a rare chance from Austin Farley to keep his shutout intact.
The Steelers didn’t ease up in the final frame, adding two more goals to complete the rout. Cormier tallied his second of the night at 51:09 with a rocket from the slot, assisted by Mark Simpson and Leavens. Mitchell Balmas sealed the 8-0 victory at 56:48, finishing a relentless forechecking effort by Patrick Watling and Mikko Juusola.
Greenfield capped off a stellar night with his second shutout of the weekend, stopping all 22 shots he faced. Shane Owen, despite conceding eight goals, faced an onslaught of 58 shots and posted a commendable 86.21 save percentage.
The Steelers now prepare for a road doubleheader, taking on the Glasgow Clan on Friday before a pivotal second-vs-third clash with the Belfast Giants on Saturday. Fans can catch the next home game on January 25th, when the Manchester Storm visit the Utilita Arena for a 7 PM face-off.
First Period [5-0] – Steelers Dominate Flyers with Five-Goal First Period Blitz
Victory over the Coventry Blaze yesterday evening put saw the Steelers push forward to a six-game winning streak, with the Fife Flyers this in town this evening giving the Steelers the opportunity to stretch that to seven. The second home game of the season in our double header Pride weekend in which we celebrate Ice Hockey being an inclusive sport for all, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. You always have and you will always be welcomed at the Sheffield Steelers. Always remember…
If you can shoot, you can shoot.
If you can coach, you can coach.
If you can cheer, you can cheer.
If you can play, you can play.
The Steelers wasted no time asserting their dominance against the Flyers, erupting for five goals in a relentless opening period. Quick transitions and clinical finishing left the Flyers reeling, as the Steelers took a commanding lead into the second.
The action began immediately, with Phelix Martineau heading to the box for high-sticking just 15 seconds after puck drop. The Steelers capitalised on the ensuing powerplay at 1:41 with a slick tic-tac-toe sequence. Dominic Cormier and Mitchell Balmas set up Patrick Watling, who rifled a one-timer from the right circle past Flyers netminder Shane Owen.
Despite killing another penalty midway through the period, the Flyers couldn’t stem the Steelers’ offensive tide. Maxim Golod doubled the lead at 11:23, blazing down the left wing before unleashing a wrist shot that snuck past Owen. Daniel Leavens and Mark Simpson provided the assists.
The floodgates truly opened just minutes later. At 13:57, Watling turned playmaker, feeding Mikko Juusola in front of the crease for a deft tip-in. Balmas earned the secondary assist.
The onslaught continued as Daniel Leavens pounced on a rebound at 14:36, netting the Steelers’ fourth after Mark Simpson’s initial effort. Golod added to his tally with a secondary assist on the play.
The period’s final blow came at 18:38, courtesy of a lightning-fast transition. Daniel Leavens teed up Veeti Vainio, who fired a precise shot low to the blocker side, pinging off the post and in.
With a 5-0 advantage after 20 minutes, the Steelers delivered an emphatic opening statement, leaving the Flyers with a mountain to climb.
Second Period [6-0] – Steelers Extend Lead in Dominant Second Period Against Flyers
The Steelers added to their commanding lead with a lone goal in the second period, continuing their dominance over the Fife Flyers in a one-sided affair at the Utilita Arena. Despite the Flyers’ goaltender Shane Owen’s valiant effort, the Steelers entered the final period up 6-0 and firmly in control.
The period began with Mikko Juusola’s speed creating two early chances—first with a backhand attempt just wide and then narrowly missing a tip-in opportunity at the crease. Owen stood tall for the Flyers, turning away wave after wave of Steelers’ attacks, facing an impressive 22 shots in the frame.
The Flyers, meanwhile, were kept to just 16 shots through the first 40 minutes, with Matthew Greenfield making a crucial save on Austin Farley, who found himself briefly unmarked. Greenfield’s poise ensured the Flyers couldn’t gain any momentum.
Luck also played a part for the Flyers, as Kevin Tansey hit the post twice in quick succession. One effort momentarily triggered the goal buzzer before the unmistakable ring of iron confirmed the miss, much to the Flyers’ relief.
However, the Steelers’ persistence paid off at 36:16 when Dominic Cormier unleashed a rocket from the blue line. The shot found its way through traffic, thanks to Ivan Bjorkly-Nordstrom’s excellent screen in front of Owen. Daniel Ciampini and Joona Huttula earned assists on the play, capping another period of Steelers domination.
As the buzzer sounded to end the second period, the Steelers prepared to start the third on the powerplay after a late tripping penalty against Tyler Heidt. With a commanding lead and relentless offensive pressure, the Sheffield looked poised to close out a comprehensive victory.
Third Period [8-0] – Steelers Seal Dominant Victory with Two more Goals in Third Period
The Sheffield Steelers capped off a commanding performance against the Fife Flyers with two final-period goals, completing an 8-0 rout and extending their unbeaten streak to seven games. Despite the game being firmly in hand, the Steelers maintained their offensive pressure, finishing the night with an astonishing 58 shots on Shane Owen’s net.
Owen, despite conceding eight times, earned credit for his resilience, making 50 saves and finishing with an 86.21 save percentage. At the opposite end, Matthew Greenfield delivered another flawless performance, stopping all 22 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the weekend.
The Steelers’ seventh goal came at 51:09, as Dominic Cormier tallied his second of the night with a rocket from the slot, finding the top corner past Owen. Mark Simpson and Daniel Leavens assisted on the play, continuing their strong offensive showing.
Mitchell Balmas sealed the win at 56:48, taking advantage of relentless forechecking from Patrick Watling and Mikko Juusola. The Flyers, unable to match the Steelers’ energy, left Balmas unmarked at the back post, and he made no mistake in finding the net.
Dominic Cormier’s two goal night earned him Man of the Match honours as he took centre stage with some pin-point skeet (…glove) shooting.
Looking ahead, the Steelers hit the road for a challenging doubleheader, facing the Glasgow Clan on Friday night before a crucial second-vs-third clash with the Belfast Giants on Saturday. Fans can catch the next home game on January 25th when the Manchester Storm visit the Utilita Arena for another thrilling Saturday night face-off at 7 PM.
