Steelers fight back and take a point against the Storm
Steelers take a point in Manchester after a 4-3 penalty shot loss.
Sheffield had trailed 2-0 after the opening period but Mitchel Heard’s brace levelled the game at the end of the middle session. Storm scored on the PP at the start of the final period but Brett Ritchie tied the game late on.
Only Cutler scored in the shoot out to give Manchester the extra point.
Joona Huttula replaces the injured Kevin Tansey in the line up with Ivan Bjorly Nordstrom coming in for Kyle Watson.
Matt Greenfield with the start for the Steelers
First Period
Matt Greenfield was called on to make some early saves as the Storm jumped on the Steelers early.
Ryan Tait and Evan Jasper had chances before the Storm took the lead through a JD Dudek penalty shot at 7.21 a nice move that had Greener beaten with a nice backhand finish
Greener was called on three more occasions in the two shifts that follows as the Storm looked to double their lead.
Mitch Heard’s line with Stephen Harper and Brett Ritchie started to create but couldn’t find a way passed Weninger.
Dowd’s shot was tipped by Jasper but again, Weninger came up with the save and covered up.
Best chance fell to Nordstrom after excellent work by Tremblay, Weninger got across his crease and made the save
17.45 and the Storm doubled their advantage on a nothing play, or so it seemed, then Hannoun crept behind the Steelers D and tipped a Welsh shot passed Green for a 2-0 scoreline
End of the first period: Manchester Storm 0-2 Steelers
Second Period
Better from the Steelers right from the start of the period, on the front foot and creating chances.
Sam Tremblay almost had the Steelers on the board early but Weninger again making the save
Big hit on the returning Joona Huttula sent him to the floor and off the ice to the team bench – he was soon back
32.55 and it was the Heard, Ritchie and Harper line that got us on the board. Ritchie’s pass was inch perfect and Heard found the top shelf for 1-2
33.00 and Johnson to the box for a punch on Watling at the face off circle – Steelers power-play created but we couldn’t find the equalising goal.
37.36 and the Steelers level, Ritchie held onto the puck and fed Heard who had the patience to round Weninger to score … tied at 2-2
Balmas with a big chance out in front, Weninger saves and then a five on five push and shove
39.56 and after a huge hit on Dowd and a following cross check the Steelers captain threw a punch which as seen him go to the box on a roughing call
Storm with the 3rd period power play
Storm 2-2 Steelers
Third Period
40.58 and the Storm lead, Cutler with a snipe for the 4-3 lead
Steelers pressed, Tremblay, Ritchie and Cormier go close
48.09 and Cains for tripping and a huge power-play for the Steelers, despite many efforts we couldn’t find a way passed Weninger.
55.42 and Ritchie turns and fires a backhand that Weninger couldn’t control and we are tied 3-3
Chances either end but it remained 3-3 and into OT we went.
Cutler close for the Storm, Dowd close for the Steelers, it was end to end
Mikko holds onto the puck and finds Balmas but his shot was saved.
into the shoot out and Cutler was the only scorer with Juusola, Balmas, Heard, Dowd and Jasper all going close
Final Score: Storm 4-3 Steelers