Steelers Rally to Overpower Clan in Third-Period Surge – Clan 2:5 Steelers

Game Summary

The Sheffield Steelers staged a remarkable comeback on the road, overturning a two-goal deficit to secure a commanding 5-2 victory over the Glasgow Clan.

The opening period saw the Steelers start strong, but it was Glasgow who took the lead at 11:37 through a powerplay strike from Liam Finlay. Despite chances for Mitchell Balmas and Mikko Juusola, the Steelers couldn’t find any sort of reply before the intermission.

The second period began in disastrous fashion for Sheffield as Finlay struck again just 28 seconds in, doubling the Clan’s lead. The hosts controlled much of the frame, but a late Steelers surge changed the game. Within 19 seconds, Sheffield found the net twice; Dominic Cormier scoring at 38:14 before Sacha Guimond fired home at 38:33 sending the game into the final period tied 2-2.

With momentum on their side, the Steelers dominated the third. Brandon Whistle put them ahead just 1:17 into the frame, before Mark Simpson extended the lead at 49:37. A chaotic end saw Glasgow’s Mitchell Heard ejected for spearing, and Patrick Watling capitalised at 56:08 to seal the victory.

Man of the Match Simpson led the charge as the Steelers bagged two vital league points ahead of their home clash against the Cardiff Devils.

First Period [1-0] – Clan Strike First as Steelers Trail After Opening Period

The Sheffield Steelers hit the road looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Guildford, but after twenty minutes of play against the Glasgow Clan, they found themselves trailing 1-0 following a powerplay goal from the hosts.

The Steelers started the game on the front foot, generating early chances. Mitchell Balmas nearly converted a back-post feed from Mikko Juusola, while Matthew Greenfield was called into action at the other end, making a sharp left-pad save to deny Simon Després. Ivan Björkly-Nordström, returning to the lineup, was a presence in the offensive zone but saw a prime scoring chance disrupted at the last second by a well-timed defensive stick lift.

The breakthrough came at 11:37 when Joona Huttula was penalised for slashing after a post-whistle collision with Tyson McLellan. On the ensuing powerplay, Liam Finlay raced down the right wing and rifled a pinpoint shot over Greenfield’s left shoulder to give the Clan the lead, with Després providing the assist.

Sheffield had a powerplay opportunity of their own later in the period but couldn’t capitalise. Mark Simpson saw two close-range chances go begging, while Juusola drove down the right wing with purpose but was denied.

As the first intermission arrived, the Steelers trailed by one and would need a strong response in the middle frame to turn the tide.

Second Period [2-2] – Steelers Stun Clan with Late-Period Surge to Tie the Game

The Clan looked in control for much of the second period, but a stunning late surge from the Steelers flipped the momentum, sending the game into the final frame tied at 2-2.

Just 28 seconds into the period, Liam Finlay doubled the Clan’s lead with his second goal of the night. Matthew Greenfield made two initial saves, but the rebound landed perfectly for Finlay at the left circle, where he wasted no time firing it home before Greenfield could recover.

Both teams then exchanged boarding penalties; Rylan Schwartz for the Clan and Mark Simpson for the Steelers, but neither side managed to convert on the powerplay. Glasgow continued to dominate possession, pinning the Steelers in their own zone for extended stretches.

Greenfield came up big late in the period with a key stop on Deven Sideroff from the slot, and that moment of brilliance seemed to spark Sheffield into action. In a stunning turn of events, the Steelers struck twice in a 19-second span to erase the deficit.

At 38:14, Dominic Cormier found the five-hole on Landon Bow, with Mark Simpson providing the screen and picking up an assist alongside Daniel Ciampini. Moments later, after the ensuing faceoff, Sacha Guimond ripped a pinpoint shot top-shelf at 38:33, beating Bow’s glove and completing the rapid comeback.

With the game suddenly level, the Steelers entered the third period with all the momentum, setting up a thrilling final 20 minutes.

Third Period [2-5] – Steelers Dominate Third Period to Complete Stunning Comeback

After erasing a two-goal deficit in the second period, the Steelers put on a dominant display in the final frame, netting three unanswered goals to secure a commanding 5-2 victory over the Glasgow Clan.

Brandon Whistle wasted no time giving the Steelers their first lead of the night, striking just 1:17 into the period. After Landon Bow made the initial save, the puck popped into the air, and Whistle stayed with the play, circling behind the net to tuck home the rebound into an open cage. Robert Dowd picked up the assist for his relentless work in front of goal.

The Steelers’ penalty killers stepped up once again, successfully shutting down a Mark Simpson penalty before the forward repaid his team at 49:37. Simpson capitalised on another loose rebound off Bow, slotting home his own second-chance effort. Daniel Leavens provided the setup, extending Sheffield’s lead to 4-2.

Glasgow’s hopes of a late comeback faded as penalty trouble piled up. Mitchell Heard was hit with a minor penalty before receiving a major for spearing Marco Vallerand, forcing an early exit. While the Steelers couldn’t convert on a five-on-three advantage, Patrick Watling sealed the win in style at 56:08, rifling a perfect shot top shelf from the left wing.

Mark Simpson earned Man of the Match honours as the Steelers secured two crucial league points. Next up, they return to the Utilita Arena for a massive clash against the Cardiff Devils.

📸 Al Goold / Glasgow Clan