Game Summary
The Steelers backed up last nights victory over the Cardiff Devils with another convincing win back on ‘home’ ice this evening.
Double efforts by Dominic Cormier and Daniel Ciampini were backed up by goals from Patrick Watling, Mikko Juusola and Mark Simpson as the Steelers ran away with the contest in the third; much the same story as yesterday’s encounter.
The Steelers will now head to the Champions Hockey League to take on some of Europe’s best before returning to the Utilita Arena in CHL action Friday 13th September.
First Period [1-1]
All square after a shortened first period as time was called with 19 seconds still showing on the clock when Daniel Leavens was forced to the dressing room clutching his face after taking a stick up high.
However, a much more positive start to the contest when the Steelers took the early lead with only (3.45) on the clock. Gorgeous feed from Brien Diffley at the left-wing hash marks to find Mark Simpson crashing the net at the back post with a fine finish. Angelo Miceli picking up the secondary assist. The line of Ciampini, Simpson and Miceli racking up some big minutes in the first period.
After taking several big hits last night, it was Joel Janatuinen’s turn to lay a big hit on a Devil at their own bench, much to the dismay of Joey Martin who held on to Janatuinen and was sent to the box by the officials for roughing.
The powerplay was short-lived however as fellow Finn, Mikko Juusola joined him at the penalty boxes only 30 seconds later for a slashing call of his own.
A bit of four-on-four action, and extra space on the ice was taken advantage of by the visitors with Andrew MacWilliam this time crashing the net to finish off a feed from O’Brien past tonight’s Steelers starter Marco De Filippo. Shinkaruk with the Devils secondary assist.
Patrick Watling was then given the perfect opportunity to put the Steelers back ahead with a one-on-one chance against Devils starter Tyler de la Bertouche, but the young netminder was up to the task to keep the game all square.
The period ending with frustration for the Steelers with the no-call on the ice on Leavens with the Steelers wanting a call for a high-sticking call with the officials seemingly arguing that Leavens was already on his way down to the ice.
Second Period [3-2]
A one goal advantage for the Steelers heading into the final period of regulation as they found the back of the Devils net on two separate occasions before the visitors hit back late with less than two minutes remaining.
Not much to report on through the first seven minutes before Joona Huttula tripped his man at the Steelers goal line and sent the Devils on a powerplay. However, it was the Steelers that made the most of it as Juusola stripped his man of the puck at the Steelers blue line and the last person you want to be chasing is the flying Finn who skated the two blue lines and rocketed one top corner past de la Bertouche at (28.34).
The Steelers then throwing away another powerplay opportunity when Reid Duke was sent to the box for high-sticking on Kevin Tansey but was cancelled out with a too many men on the ice call one minute later. Both teams returning to full-strength without any damage.
A two-goal lead for the Steelers at (34.50) thanks to a Dominic Cormier blue line effort which was sent through traffic and all the way into the back of the Devils goal via the five-hole of de la Bertouche who was screened well by Janatuinen. Kevin Tansey with the assist.
Before the period came to an end, the game was back to within one as Hunter Shinkaruk continued his good form at the start of the Devils season as he picked up another goal from a tight angle at close range via a big deflection off the skate of Sacha Guimond. Zach O’Brien with the assist on this one.
Third Period [7-2]
As with the game last night, it was all the Steelers in the final period as they ran away with the contest adding four unanswered goals.
It was however bitter-sweet for the Steelers as Ivan Bjorkly-Nordstrom had to be stretchered off the ice after what looks to be a dislocated shoulder during a fight with Devils forward, Jarrod Gourley.
The Steelers seem to be making an early season habit of picking up goals within the first couple of minutes of the period and this one was no different with only thirty-four seconds of the period elapsing at (40.34). Patrick Watling getting himself on the scoresheet with another lovely finish over the blocker after cutting towards the left-wing face-off circle.
Not long to wait for the fifth either with only (43.19) on the clock. First of the night for Daniel Ciampini on the powerplay after the Devils were called for having too many men on the ice. A scrappy goal but one Ciampini will always take getting to the dirty areas around the blue paint and getting the final touch. Playing under CHL rules meant the powerplay continued but the Steelers were unable to capitalise further.
Make mine a double said both Dominic Cormier and Daniel Ciampini as they added the Steelers sixth and seventh of the evening at (50.15) and (57.16) respectively.
Dominic Cormier with a very similar effort to that of Watling earlier in the period, puck-handling his way towards the left-wing circle to fire home over the blocker of de la Bertouche. Daniel Ciampini then sending home a puck at the back post with ease to give the Steelers a convincing double over the Cardiff Devils in pre-season back-to-back action.
The double for Dominic Cormier doing awarding him with the Man of the Match award and sending him off on his first Eddy of the season.
