Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers wrapped up a decisive 4-1 victory over the Guildford Flames in their first home game of 2025, extending their unbeaten streak to five games. A composed third-period effort, capped by Maxim Golod’s empty-net goal, ensured the Steelers continued their climb up the standings.
The final frame saw both teams exchange penalties early, but strong defensive play from the Steelers kept the Flames at bay. Matthew Greenfield, stellar in net all night, turned away 31 of 32 shots for an impressive 96.88% save percentage.
Golod, who played a hand in all four of Sheffield’s goals, delivered the exclamation point with 29 seconds left. After the Flames pulled netminder Jake Kupsky for the extra skater during a shorthanded situation, Golod intercepted the puck at centre ice and calmly secured the empty-net tally. The forward finished with two goals and two assists, earning well-deserved Man of the Match honours.
With this victory, the Steelers move to 34 points from 26 games, sitting just two points behind the Belfast Giants and four off the Cardiff Devils. A week-long break now gives Sheffield time to prepare for a crucial home doubleheader against the Coventry Blaze and Fife Flyers at the Utilita Arena.
Momentum is firmly on their side as the Steelers look to continue their impressive form in the push for league supremacy.
First Period [2-1] – Steelers Edge Flames in Eventful Opening Period
The Sheffield Steelers continued their winning momentum in their first home game of 2025, taking a narrow 2-1 lead over the Guildford Flames after an action-packed opening period at the Utilita Arena. The Steelers, fresh off a comeback road win against the Belfast Giants, looked confident and in control despite the Flames leading the shot count after 20 minutes.
The period began with Patrick Watling testing Flames netminder Jake Kupsky just seconds into the game. A delay of game penalty against Guildford’s Dominic Cormier gave the Steelers an early powerplay opportunity, but the Flames’ penalty killers held firm, limiting dangerous chances from Ethan Strang and Daniel Tedesco.
Sheffield capitalised shortly after killing off the penalty. At 3:37, Maxim Golod stunned Kupsky and the crowd with a quick shot off an offensive-zone faceoff win. Mark Simpson earned the assist on the perfectly executed play, putting the Steelers ahead early.
A blocker save from Kupsky on Marco Vallerand sparked a brief surge for the Flames, with Strang, Tedesco, and Ryan Tait generating pressure in the Steelers’ zone. However, the momentum swung back in favor of Sheffield at 12:58. Defenseman Brien Diffley’s point shot created a rebound opportunity, and Mark Simpson pounced, firing the puck past Kupsky for his second point of the period. Golod was credited with a secondary assist, rounding out a strong first-period performance for the duo.
The Flames clawed one back late in the period after a series of Steelers penalties. Kevin Tansey was called for slashing, and Joona Huttula joined him in the box shortly after for hooking, giving Guildford a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage. Ethan Strang, who had been a threat all period, delivered with a pinpoint shot from the high slot at 16:12, assisted by Ryan Tait and Matt Alvaro.
The Steelers had a chance to extend their lead before the buzzer when the Flames were penalized for too many men, but they couldn’t convert, leaving the score 2-1 as the teams headed to the intermission.
With momentum up for grabs, the second period promised to be just as thrilling as the first in this high-stakes Elite League clash.
Second Period [3-1] – Leavens’ Blast Extends Steelers’ Lead in Second Period
The Steelers doubled their advantage in a hard-fought second period, taking a 3-1 lead into the final frame against the Guildford Flames. Despite being outshot 21-19, the Steelers capitalised on key opportunities, including a Daniel Leavens rocket late in the period, to maintain control of the contest.
The period began with the Flames killing off a carryover penalty from the first, quickly shifting back to an aggressive attack. Guildford’s Travis Brown was sent to the box early in the frame for holding Mikko Juusola in a prolonged battle in the corner. However, the Flames’ penalty killers stood firm, keeping the Steelers’ powerplay at bay.
Tensions boiled over midway through the period when Brett Ferguson slashed Leavens behind the play, sparking a heated exchange of shoves and words near the players’ benches. The officials opted not to call a penalty, leaving the teams to refocus on the game.
Guildford’s Dominic Cormier was whistled for holding later in the period, a call that the Steelers fans may have found questionable upon review. Nonetheless, the Steelers’ persistence paid off at 36:43. Mark Simpson delivered a pinpoint pass to Leavens, who unleashed a blistering one-timer from the slot that flew past Jake Kupsky, restoring Sheffield’s two-goal cushion.
As the horn sounded to end the second, the Steelers headed into the third with a crucial buffer, looking to close out their fifth consecutive victory and solidify their position in the standings.
Third Period [4-1] – Steelers Extend Unbeaten Streak with Solid Third-Period Finish
The Steelers capped off a commanding performance with a composed third period, sealing a 4-1 victory over the Flames and extending their unbeaten streak to five games. A Maxim Golod empty-net goal in the final minute put the exclamation point on a disciplined effort, earning the Steelers two crucial points as they climb the standings.
The period began with both teams trading minor penalties but failing to capitalise on their respective powerplays. The Steelers’ penalty kill remained impenetrable, while their defensive structure kept the Flames to the perimeter, limiting quality scoring chances.
As the clock wound down, the Flames pulled netminder Jake Kupsky for the extra attacker, despite being shorthanded following a Charlie Dodero elbowing penalty on Mikko Juusola. The gamble didn’t pay off, as Golod pounced on a loose puck at centre ice and calmly skated it into the empty net at 59:31. Golod, who tallied two goals and two assists on the night, was involved in all four Steelers’ goals and earned well-deserved Man of the Match honours.
Matthew Greenfield was once again a fortress between the pipes, stopping 31 of 32 shots for a stellar 96.88% save percentage. His consistency, paired with the Steelers’ efficient 15.38% shooting on 26 shots, provided the perfect recipe for victory.
The win pushes the Steelers to 34 points from 26 games, narrowing the gap to just two points behind the Belfast Giants and four points behind league-leading Cardiff Devils.
With a week off to rest and regroup, the Steelers will look to continue their hot streak in a home doubleheader next week as they host the Coventry Blaze and Fife Flyers at the Utilita Arena. See you there!
