Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers overcame a sluggish start and powered their way to a commanding 6-1 victory over the Dundee Stars, following a slow first period where they fell behind early. After honouring their captain, Robert Dowd, in a pre-game ceremony, the Steelers initially struggled, giving up a goal to Dundee’s Drydn Dow at 6:16, while managing only four shots on goal in a flat first period.
However, a spirited second period saw the Steelers explode with 18 shots and three goals in quick succession. Robert Dowd’s relentless forecheck set up the equaliser, with Sacha Guimond and Mitchell Balmas connecting for the first of three goals. Patrick Watling added another on the power play just 37 seconds later, and Mikko Juusola tipped in a third to take a 3-1 lead heading into the final period.
The Steelers kept their foot on the gas in the third, with Juusola adding his second, followed by Mitchell Balmas also scoring his second of the night before Robert Dowd completed the scoring at 58:43. With solid defensive play, including a penalty kill, the Steelers left no doubt, sealing the win with Kevin Tansey earning Man of the Match honours for his three assists.
The victory sets up a key Saturday showdown against the Cardiff Devils, as Sheffield looks to build on this momentum.
First Period [0-1] – Steelers Struggle in Slow Start as Stars Shine Early
The Sheffield Steelers honoured their Captain, Robert Dowd, in a special pre-game ceremony after he topped the EIHL points scorers’ chart at the weekend. However, following the celebration, the action on the ice took centre stage as they faced off against the Dundee Stars, who were coming off a strong weekend with back-to-back victories.
The game opened with the Steelers earning an early power play after Dundee’s Brendan Harms (#81) was sent to the box for a high-stick on Mitchell Balmas. Despite this advantage, the Steelers seemed sluggish, failing to generate much offense in the first period, managing only four shots on goal, none of which troubled Stars netminder Richard Sabol.
Dundee, though limited in shots on target of their own, controlled much of the play, firing five shots on the Steelers’ Matthew Greenfield. The breakthrough came at 6:16, when Drydn Dow found the back of the net. Domenico Alberga set up Dow, feeding him in the slot, and Dow rifled a shot over Greenfield’s glove to give the Stars a 1-0 lead.
Greenfield made a crucial stop late in the period, flashing his glove to deny Jake Elmer in close and keeping the deficit to just one. As the first period wound down, the Steelers caught a break when Dundee’s Craig Moore was called for holding, giving Sheffield a full two minutes of power play to start the second period after failing to capitalise on the delayed penalty.
It was a flat opening frame for the Steelers, who hoped the intermission would give them a chance to reset and regain momentum.
Second Period [3-1] – Steelers’ Second Period Surge Overwhelms Stars
Sheffield Steelers came out firing in the second period after a pep talk from Coach Aaron Fox, piling on 18 shots and overwhelming the Dundee Stars with relentless pressure. Although the Steelers failed to capitalize on their early power play, Dundee’s netminder Richard Sabol initially held firm, maintaining his team’s slim 1-0 lead. However, the relentless offensive onslaught finally paid off, with the Steelers netting three goals in rapid succession.
The breakthrough came at 34:08. Captain Robert Dowd’s tenacious forecheck deep in the Stars’ zone forced a turnover, allowing him to set up Sacha Guimond near the left-wing circle. Guimond patiently waited before threading a perfect pass to Mitchell Balmas, who had a wide-open net to finish past a helpless Sabol.
Just thirty seconds later, at 35:15, Dundee’s Drydn Dow was sent to the box for hooking as Patrick Watling powered his way to the net. The Steelers wasted no time, converting the power play in just 37 seconds. Watling, positioned at the left-wing hash marks, unleashed a pinpoint shot that rang off the bar and into the top corner, assisted by Juusola and Guimond, who collected his second assist of the night.
Before fans could catch their breath, the Steelers struck again at 35:37. Kevin Tansey’s blast from the blue line was tipped in by Mikko Juusola, initially appearing to be a high stick. After video review, the goal stood, much to the dismay of Dundee’s Coach Marc Lefebvre, who voiced his frustrations from the bench.
The Steelers kept the pressure on but were unable to add to their lead as they headed into the third period with a solid 3-1 advantage.
Third Period [6-1] – Steelers Dominate Third Period to Seal Victory Over Stars
The Sheffield Steelers continued their dominance in the third period, adding three more goals to complete a commanding 6-1 victory over the Dundee Stars. Matching their second-period intensity, the Steelers left no doubt about the outcome.
The scoring in the final frame started just 2:30 in, as Angelo Miceli—who was strong all game—set up Mikko Juusola. Juusola skilfully stickhandled through the Stars’ defence, found space in the slot, and buried his shot to make it 4-1.
Shortly after, the Steelers were forced onto the penalty kill when Sacha Guimond was called for boarding. However, Sheffield’s defence was impenetrable, allowing Dundee only one shot during the two-minute disadvantage.
At 49:52, Mitchell Balmas tallied his second of the night, courtesy of a well-executed play starting with Kevin Tansey. Tansey found Patrick Watling, who carried the puck into the Stars’ zone before laying it off to Balmas. With space in the slot, Balmas roofed the puck past Richard Sabol, extending the Steelers’ lead to 5-1.
Sheffield killed off another penalty when Colton Saucerman was called for slashing, and just moments after a Dundee penalty expired, the Steelers struck again. At 58:43, Mitchell Balmas, involved yet again, streaked down the left wing and sent a perfect pass across the crease to Robert Dowd, who slammed the puck into the open net for the final 6-1 scoreline.
The night ended with Kevin Tansey, who notched three assists, being named Man of the Match. His celebration included a bit of curling at centre ice for his post-game “Eddy.”
With two league points secured, the Steelers now shift their focus to Saturday’s home clash against Pete Russell’s Cardiff Devils at 7 PM. After that, the team will enjoy a well-earned rest on Sunday.
