Steelers Triumph in Dramatic Shootout to Secure CHL Round of 16 Spot – Steelers (3-2 pens) Pardubice

Game Summary

The Sheffield Steelers secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over HC Dynamo Pardubice after a tense and closely-fought contest that went all the way to a seven-round shootout. After a scoreless third period and overtime, Mitchell Balmas emerged as the hero, netting the game-winning penalty shot to send the home crowd into raptures at the Utilita Arena.

The game started as a tightly contested affair, with both teams locked at 0-0 after the first period. The Steelers found their breakthrough early in the second, with Mikko Juusola scoring a well-placed shot to give Sheffield the lead. However, Pardubice quickly responded with a goal from Daniel Rakos after capitalising on a defensive mistake. The Steelers regained the lead later in the second through Balmas, whose blistering shot beat Pardubice netminder Roman Will for a 2-1 advantage.

Despite being outshot throughout the game, Matthew Greenfield’s outstanding performance in goal kept Sheffield in control. Greenfield made 43 saves, including several critical stops in the third period, as Pardubice pressed for an equaliser. Pardubice eventually tied the game at 2-2 midway through the third period when Tomas Zohorna took advantage of a Steelers turnover at the blue line and finished cleanly.

Neither team could find a winner in the final minutes of regulation or during five minutes of sudden-death overtime, sending the game to a shootout. Pardubice’s Martin Kaut struck first, but Marco Vallerand answered for Sheffield. After more back-and-forth exchanges, Juusola tied things up once again before Balmas sealed the game with a clinical finish in the seventh round.

The victory earned the Steelers two crucial points, lifting them to a 10th-place finish in the CHL standings and setting up an exciting last-16 showdown against Eisbaren Berlin. The match also promises to be a special occasion as Sheffield’s hometown hero, Liam Kirk, will return to the Utilita Arena with Berlin.

Before their CHL playoff clash, the Steelers will shift focus back to EIHL league action, as they face the Glasgow Clan on Saturday night in what will be their first meeting under new Clan head coach Corey Neilson. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m., and fans will be eager to see if Sheffield can carry this momentum forward.

First Period [0-0] – Steelers and Pardubice Locked in a Stalemate After First Period

The opening twenty minutes saw both the Sheffield Steelers and HC Dynamo Pardubice in a tightly contested affair, with limited scoring opportunities at both ends. The visiting Pardubice held a slight edge in the shot count, outshooting the Steelers 9-7. Matej Paulovic had the first shot on goal, testing Steelers netminder Matthew Greenfield, who handled it comfortably.

The Steelers responded quickly with Mitchell Balmas creating a chance as he burst down the left wing. He found Marco Vallerand crashing the net, but Vallerand was unable to convert as Pardubice goalie Roman Will moved swiftly to cover the back post.

Kevin Tansey made his presence known physically, delivering a heavy hit on Pardubice’s #18 in the defensive zone, setting the tone for the Steelers’ physical play.

Sheffield had two opportunities to take the lead on the power play, with Pardubice’s Daniel Rakos called for slashing in the fifth minute and Robert Kousal penalised for high-sticking at the ten-minute mark. The Steelers worked the puck well around the zone but struggled to break through Pardubice’s solid penalty kill, being limited to shots from the perimeter. Colton Saucerman launched a rocket from the blue line that struck Will’s helmet, but the Dynamo goaltender stayed composed.

One of the best chances for the Steelers came from Daniel Leavens, who nearly found the back of the net with a clever deflection through the legs from close range. However, Will reacted quickly, getting his right pad down in time to deny the opening goal.

As the period wound down, Greenfield came up with a crucial save on a Tomas Dvorak slap shot, steering the rebound away with his stick to keep the game scoreless heading into the intermission.

With the score tied at 0-0, both teams were looking to find a breakthrough in the second period.

Second Period [2-1] – Steelers Edge Ahead After Action-Packed Second Period

The Sheffield Steelers found their stride in a thrilling second period, heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation with a 2-1 lead over Pardubice, thanks to clinical finishes from Mikko Juusola and Mitchell Balmas. Despite Pardubice dominating the shot count, the Steelers capitalised on their chances to pull ahead.

At 24:42, the Steelers struck first. Daniel Leavens battled to regain possession on the half-boards in the Dynamo zone, feeding Mikko Juusola in the left-wing circle. Juusola wasted no time, firing a quick shot that slipped between Roman Will’s blocker and right pad to give the Steelers a 1-0 lead.

Pardubice responded quickly, however. After killing off a penalty for holding, the Steelers’ lead was erased at 31:16. A misplay behind their own net allowed Vít Macek to steal the puck and set up Daniel Rakos in front. Rakos made no mistake, deking forehand-backhand before lifting the puck over Matthew Greenfield’s shoulder to level the game at 1-1.

The Steelers were tested again shortly after, with Marco Vallerand heading to the penalty box for holding. However, the penalty kill stood strong, and just moments later, Mitchell Balmas restored the lead at 35:45. Balmas picked off a loose puck at the Pardubice blue line, accelerated down the left wing, and unleashed a perfectly timed shot over Will’s glove, a textbook finish to make it 2-1.

Despite being outshot 25-13, the Steelers’ efficiency on the scoreboard proved crucial as they took a slim lead into the third period. The stage was set for a tense final frame (and beyond…) as Sheffield looked to hold off the relentless Pardubice attack.

Third Period, Overtime & Penalties [3-2 (pens)] – Steelers Triumph in Nail-Biting Shootout, Clinch 10th Place in CHL

The Sheffield Steelers battled through a scoreless third period, five minutes of sudden death overtime, and a dramatic seven-round shootout to secure a hard-fought victory over HC Dynamo Pardubice. Mitchell Balmas sealed the win with the game-deciding penalty shot, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Steelers netminder Matthew Greenfield was once again the hero, turning aside 43 of the 45 shots he faced, posting an impressive 95.56% save percentage. Greenfield’s stellar play throughout the CHL regular season saw him save 193 of 205 total shots for a remarkable 93.66% save percentage.

Pardubice leveled the game midway through the final period of regulation at 40:44. A miscue at the blue line by Steelers defenseman Huttula allowed Tomas Zohorna to pounce on the puck. Zohorna skated across Greenfield’s crease and calmly finished blocker side to tie the game at 2-2.

Moments later, Libor Hajek nearly gave Pardubice the lead with a blistering slapshot, but Greenfield came up with a massive blocker save and smothered the rebound off Ondrej Vala’s follow-up attempt to keep the score level.

With the game deadlocked after 60 minutes, the teams headed to overtime, but despite the extra space on the ice, neither side could generate the decisive Grade-A chance, sending the contest to a shootout.

In the shootout, Martin Kaut opened the scoring for Pardubice, but Marco Vallerand responded immediately for Sheffield. Matej Paulovic restored Pardubice’s lead, only for Mikko Juusola to bury his effort and tie things up again. After several rounds of back-and-forth misses, Mitchell Balmas finally found the net in the seventh round, securing the Steelers’ victory and sparking wild celebrations at the Utilita Arena.

The two points earned catapulted the Steelers to a remarkable 10th-place finish in the CHL standings, setting up a last-16 matchup with Germany’s Eisbaren Berlin. This highly anticipated clash will also mark the return of Sheffield’s own Liam Kirk to the Utilita Arena, a night fans won’t want to miss. Fixture dates will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

Before the CHL action resumes, the Steelers return to EIHL league play, with the Glasgow Clan visiting on Saturday night for their first meeting under new head coach Corey Neilson. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. – see you there!