So Close for the Steelers – But we gain an incredible point in Zurich
Steelers take a valuable road point in Zurich with just one game left in the round robin stages of the competition
After the game ended 1-1 after 60 minutes (Daniel Leavens) the game went through the 5 minute overtime period and into penalty shots
Mitchell Balmas and Daniel Leavens both scored as did Messrs Balcers and Lammikko for Zurich
Into the sudden death round, Mitchell Balmas failed with his attempt and Balcers beat Greener for the game winner in the 6th round.
Steelers move onto 9 points, 11th in the CHL standings with the top 16 progressing.
The Story so far
Game 5 of the Steelers CHL campaign is in Zurich against the Lions
Steelers without the injured Marco Vallerand with Finlay Ulrick drafted in
Matt Greenfield started for Aaron Fox’s side as expected.
Story of the First Period
A tight and evenly matched opening 20 minutes with both teams creating chances and forcing saves.
Dominic Cormier had the Steelers first shot, forcing a save from the impressive Hrubec
Justin Sigrist had the Lions first quality chance with Matt Greenfield well positioned to make the save
Best chance of the first period fell to Daniel Ciampini who faced another close range save from Hrubec following the feed from Kevin Tansey
15.33 and Colton Saucerman headed to the penalty box for hooking
Early shorthanded chance for the Steelers when Daniel Ciampini broke clear but again Hrubec made the save,
The Lions took advantage of the one man advantage with Balcers scoring on a one time blast that was slightly deflected off Dominic Cormier
CHL rules are that the PP continues for the full 2 minutes, Steelers killed the remaining period and the final 3 minutes of the first period
End of the First Period: Zurich Lions 1-0 Steelers
Story of the 2nd Period
Steelers on the front foot from the first shift with Mikko Juusola going close early on.
Watling picks up a stretch pass but fails to get his shot away as Steelers press.
Mitchel Balmas thought he had cored when Hrubec failed to hold his shot but the rebounded puck bounced wide.
Off a face off Mark Simpson got ahead of his man forcing another save off Hrubec
32.01 and Mikko Juusola was once again involved with an inch perfect pass to Daniel Leavens who fired home to equalise 1-1
35.48 and Steelers had their first power-play of the night when Kinnunen sat 2 out for high sticks, try as they might the Steelers failed to score that important second goal
End of the Middle period: Zurich Lions 1-1 Steelers
Story of the 3rd Period …
Early power-play for the Steelers at 43.20 with Balcers off for a high stick on Cormier.
The Lions killed despite a couple of good looks for the Steelers
A broken play saw Matt Greenfield called into action making a couple of point blank saves.
50.18 and more power-play time for the Steelers, Marti headed to the box but again the Steelers couldn’t find the net with the one man advantage
3rd Power-Play of the period at 54.09 when Ciampini was tripped
The Lions kill tonight was outstanding and for a 4th time the Steelers came up short on the PP
Zurich crashed the net and Greenfield makes three great stops in quick succession
Two half chances for Daniel Leavens as the game came to end, a chance to become a hero but Zurich shut the door, into OT we go
The Story of OT …
Edge of your seat action with both goalies making big saves.
The Story of the Shoot Out
The round of 5 started with Balmas scoring in the 2nd round, Balcers levelled in the 4th round
Lammikko then scored with The Lions final shot, Daniel Leavens had to score to keep the game alive, he did going 5 hole for a 2-2 shoot out
Sudden death …
Balmas was denied and then Balcers scored his 2nd shoot out goal to win the game for Zurich
After 60 minutes Lions 1-1 Steelers
After the shoot out Lions 2-2 Steelers
After sudden death Lions 1-0 Steelers
Final score: Zurich Lions 2-1 Steelers