Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers battled to a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Glasgow Clan on Sunday night, holding their nerve in a tense third period to claim a crucial two points in the Elite League standings.
Sheffield fell behind early in the first period as Glasgow capitalised on an early powerplay, with Keaton Jameson finding the net at 4:38. However, the Steelers responded in style, with Marco Vallerand marking his 300th Elite League appearance by blasting home a powerplay goal at 11:58. Less than two minutes later, Mikko Juusola converted a penalty shot in emphatic fashion, putting Sheffield ahead 2-1 after an entertaining opening period.
The second period saw the Steelers extend their lead at 26:03, with Vallerand striking again from the slot off a slick passing play from Robert Dowd and Sacha Guimond. Glasgow refused to go away and pulled one back in stunning fashion as Simon Després fired home a shorthanded rocket at 35:39, cutting Sheffield’s lead to 3-2 heading into the final frame.
The Steelers looked to put the game beyond reach when Daniel Ciampini struck on the rebound at 51:49, a goal that stood after a failed Clan coach’s challenge. However, Glasgow kept fighting, with Cole Ully pouncing on a loose puck at 55:29 to make it a one-goal game again. A controversial charging call on Sam Tremblay in the dying minutes gave Glasgow a powerplay opportunity, but despite pulling their goalie for the extra attacker, the Clan couldn’t break through Sheffield’s resolute defence.
With this win, the Steelers keep their momentum alive in the league title race. Next up, they prepare for a home doubleheader against the Guildford Flames and Cardiff Devils in a special Retro Weekend celebration featuring club legend Scott Allison.
First Period [2-1] – Steelers Edge Clan in High-Tempo Opening Period
The Sheffield Steelers returned to home ice on Sunday night, looking to build on their road point against the Nottingham Panthers on the previous evening. In their way stood the Glasgow Clan. In the first, despite falling behind early, the Steelers responded in style, scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Sheffield came out aggressive, testing Clan netminder Landon Bow within the opening minute through a sharp Mitchell Balmas effort. At the other end, Matthew Greenfield was also called into action, denying Darien Kielb from the slot.
Momentum shifted Glasgow’s way in the third minute when Alex Forbes drove past Reece Kelly, drawing a holding penalty. The Clan made the most of their early powerplay, opening the scoring at 4:38 as Keaton Jameson buried a low blocker-side finish, assisted by Simon Després and Logan Neilson.
The Steelers pushed for a response, with Daniel Leavens twice denied from the slot after strong setup play from Daniel Ciampini. Their persistence paid off at 11:58 when Matt Berry was penalised for hooking Kevin Tansey, giving Sheffield a powerplay opportunity. On his 300th Elite League appearance, Marco Vallerand made it count, rifling a top-shelf snipe over Bow’s glove off a feed from captain Robert Dowd.
Less than two minutes later, Sheffield struck again in dramatic fashion. Mikko Juusola turned on the jets for a breakaway but was slashed by Kielb, leading to a penalty shot. With confidence from the previous night’s success, Juusola executed perfectly, cutting across the crease before firing back across Bow’s glove to put the Steelers ahead at 13:17.
Sheffield continued to press, with Leavens and Dominic Cormier both forcing key saves from Bow, but the period ended with the Steelers on the penalty kill as Veeti Vainio was sent to the box for slashing. Despite finishing shorthanded, Sheffield carried a 2-1 lead into the second period, with the momentum firmly in their favour.
Second Period [3-2] – Steelers Hold Narrow Lead in Hard-Fought Second Period
The Steelers maintained their one-goal advantage after a tightly contested second period against the Clan, with both teams trading momentum but Sheffield holding on to a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame.
Glasgow came out determined, and it was Matt Berry who had the first opportunity of the period, forcing Matthew Greenfield into an early stop with a backhand effort after slipping behind the Steelers’ defence. Sheffield responded moments later through Joona Huttula, who stepped over the Clan blue line and fired a rocket into the shoulder of Landon Bow.
Greenfield continued to be a key figure for the Steelers, making a crucial save on Felix Paré from point-blank range, tracking the puck well through a chaotic crease. But it was Sheffield who struck next to extend their lead to two at 26:03. Robert Dowd and Sacha Guimond combined to set up Marco Vallerand in the slot, and the Steelers’ forward made no mistake, picking his spot with another pinpoint snipe for his second goal of the night.
The Clan refused to back down, with Darien Kielb and Liam Finlay using their speed to generate sustained offensive pressure. That persistence paid off in unlikely fashion when Chris Martenet’s slashing penalty in the 35th minute gave Sheffield a powerplay opportunity, only for Glasgow to turn the tables. At 35:39, Simon Després unleashed a rocket past a screened Greenfield, finding the net on a shorthanded effort to cut the deficit to one.
Sheffield pushed to restore their cushion, but Bow produced a highlight-reel glove save while lying on his back to deny a late Steelers opportunity. With just one goal separating the teams heading into the final period, the game remained wide open, setting up a dramatic conclusion in the third.
Third Period [4-3] – Steelers Grind Out Hard-Fought Win in Tight Third Period
The Steelers held firm in a tense final period to secure a hard-earned victory over the Glasgow Clan, preserving the one-goal lead they carried from the opening frame.
Sheffield appeared to take full control at 51:49 when Sam Tremblay and Daniel Ciampini broke in on a two-on-one rush. Tremblay’s feed found Ciampini, whose initial effort was stopped by Landon Bow. However, as Ciampini went to the ice, he reacted quickly, sending a backhand effort through Bow’s five-hole. Glasgow head coach Corey Neilson immediately challenged for goaltender interference, but after review, the goal stood, and the Clan were handed a delay of game penalty for the failed challenge. Despite being down a man, the visitors successfully killed off the penalty, regaining momentum in the process.
That energy paid off at 55:29 when Cole Ully capitalised on a loose puck in the crease after Greenfield made the initial save. The Clan forward reacted quickest to poke the puck home, cutting the Steelers’ lead back to one.
Controversy struck late when Sam Tremblay was called for charging in the 57th minute by the official furthest from the play, much to the frustration of Steelers head coach Aaron Fox. With the Clan on the powerplay, Bow was pulled for the extra attacker, but Glasgow added further frustration when they were granted a timeout; one that should have resulted in a delay of game penalty due to their earlier failed coach’s challenge.
Despite the chaotic finish, the Steelers dug deep in the final moments, shutting down Glasgow’s late push to claim a crucial two points.
With the league title race still wide open, Sheffield now turns their focus to a home doubleheader next weekend against the Guildford Flames on Saturday and the Cardiff Devils on Sunday, as part of Retro Weekend featuring Steelers legend Scott Allison.
