Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers roared back in the third period, scoring four unanswered goals to secure a 5-2 comeback victory over the Guildford Flames on the road. Despite trailing after both the first and second periods, the Steelers’ relentless attack proved too much for Guildford, as they fired an incredible 62 shots on net enroute to a crucial two points.
The night started with Sheffield dominating early but struggling to solve Flames netminder Jake Kupsky. Guildford capitalised late in the first period, with Matt Alvaro lifting a backhand shot over Matthew Greenfield at 19:00 to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at the break.
The Steelers responded quickly in the second, with Mitchell Balmas netting the equaliser just 1:04 into the period after a strong setup from Patrick Watling and Robert Dowd. However, a high-sticking penalty on Daniel Leavens opened the door for Guildford to retake the lead on the powerplay, as Travis Brown buried a one-timer at 23:38 to put the Flames back in front. Sheffield continued to pile on the pressure, but Kupsky stood firm, keeping his team ahead until the end of the frame.
The game turned in Sheffield’s favour late in the second when Charlie Dodero was handed a five-minute major penalty, giving the Steelers an extended powerplay to start the third. They wasted no time, with Dowd firing home the tying goal just 1:07 into the period. Brandon Whistle then put the Steelers ahead at 43:25 with a pinpoint shot into the top corner.
From there, Sheffield never looked back. A brilliant stretch pass from Colton Saucerman sent Dowd in alone for his second goal of the night at 52:50, before Daniel Leavens sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 58:23.
With the victory, Sheffield now turns its attention to a huge showdown against league leaders Belfast Giants tomorrow night at the Utilita Arena.
First Period [1-0] – Flames Strike Late as Steelers Trail After First in Guildford
The Sheffield Steelers entered Saturday night’s clash against the Guildford Flames with a renewed focus on league action following a frustrating week that saw them drop a point to Coventry and exit the Challenge Cup at the hands of the Cardiff Devils. With Belfast Giants holding a 10-point lead at the top of the standings, but with the Steelers having two games in hand, every game was now crucial, especially with a showdown against Belfast looming the following night.
Sheffield came out strong, dominating the opening five minutes and testing Flames netminder Jake Kupsky on multiple occasions. Patrick Watling nearly helped open the scoring after circling the net and feeding Robert Dowd, whose shot was turned away by Kupsky’s shoulder. Marco Vallerand then battled in front, with Jake Kupsky dragging a loose puck back from the goal line, leave the Steelers struggling to find a breakthrough.
Guildford slowly found their rhythm, generating sustained pressure in the Steelers’ zone later in the period. Daniel Tedesco and Daniel Catenacci had their chances but failed to hit the target. Kupsky was then called into action once more, denying Daniel Ciampini on a two-on-one break after a turnover in the Steelers zone. Ciampini elected to shoot rather than pass to Cole Shudra, but his effort struck Kupsky’s helmet and dropped harmlessly away.
With time winding down in the period, the Flames capitalised on their late momentum to grab the lead at exactly 19:00. Josh Waller did well to control the puck along the half-boards before sending a backhand pass into the slot, where Matt Alvaro was waiting. Alvaro made no mistake, shifting to his backhand and lifting the puck over an outstretched Matthew Greenfield and into the roof of the net, giving Guildford a 1-0 advantage heading into the second period.
Second Period [2-1] – Steelers Trail After Two, but Late Powerplay Offers Hope
Despite firing 40 shots on goal by the end of forty minutes, the Sheffield Steelers found themselves trailing 2-1 heading into the final period against the Guildford Flames.
Much like the opening frame, the Steelers came out strong to start the second and were rewarded with an equaliser just 1:04 into the period. Patrick Watling and Robert Dowd combined in the buildup, forcing Flames netminder Jake Kupsky out of position. With the puck loose in the crease, Mitchell Balmas reacted quickest, sliding it into the open net to bring Sheffield level at 1-1.
However, their momentum was short-lived. A high-sticking penalty on Daniel Leavens at 23:38 handed the Flames a powerplay, and they took full advantage. Brett Ferguson, positioned at Greenfield’s near post, took a feed from Daniel Catenacci before spinning and sending a pinpoint pass across the crease to Travis Brown, who hammered home a one-timer past the moving Steelers netminder to restore Guildford’s lead.
Despite a lopsided shot count in their favour, Sheffield found themselves under pressure for large stretches of the period, as the Flames dictated play and forced the Steelers onto the back foot.
The turning point may have come in the dying seconds of the period when Charlie Dodero was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for an incident involving Mitchell Balmas, sending the Steelers to an extended powerplay. Though they couldn’t capitalise before the buzzer, Sheffield entered the third with a golden opportunity to turn the game around, trailing by just one.
Third Period [2-5] – Steelers Dominate Third Period to Overpower Flames
The Steelers turned on the style in the final period, scoring four unanswered goals to secure a commanding 5-2 victory over the Guildford Flames. With two valuable points in the bag, attention now shifts to a massive home clash against the Belfast Giants tomorrow night.
Carrying over a five-minute major powerplay from the second period, the Steelers wasted no time capitalising. Just 1:07 into the frame, captain Robert Dowd struck first, firing a quick snapshot from the slot past Jake Kupsky’s right pad after a setup from Dominic Cormier.
The Steelers took the lead for the first time at 43:25, courtesy of a pinpoint snipe from Brandon Whistle. Collecting a pass from Mikko Juusola in the right-wing circle, Whistle picked his spot, ripping a shot across Kupsky’s body and into the top corner.
Guildford’s struggles deepened when Daniel Catenacci was sent to the box for holding the stick, briefly putting the Steelers on a five-on-three advantage. After being unavailable to convert, Catenacci helped test Matthew Greenfield immediately upon returning, forcing a brilliant double save from the Steelers’ netminder to preserve the lead.
Sheffield continued to press and added a fourth at 52:50, with Colton Saucerman delivering a highlight-reel assist. A perfect stretch pass from blue line to blue line split the Flames’ defence, sending Dowd through on goal, and the captain made no mistake, ripping another shot past Kupsky.
With Guildford desperate to find a way back, Kupsky was pulled for the extra attacker, but the move backfired. Daniel Leavens pounced on a loose puck at the Steelers’ blue line and fired it the length of the ice into the empty net at 58:23, sealing the victory.
A rock-solid defensive effort and an incredible assist earned Colton Saucerman Man of the Match honours. Meanwhile, Kupsky faced an astounding 62 shots in a game where the Steelers’ relentless pressure proved too much for the Flames to handle. Matthew Greenfield no slouch at the other end turning away 26 of the 28 shots faced himself.
The Steelers now turn their focus to a huge showdown against league leaders Belfast at the Utilita Arena tomorrow night.
