Line Up.
Steelers lined up against Cardiff on Sunday with the same line up that beat the Devils last night in Sheffield.
Matt Greenfield once again started for the Steelers whilst Callum Booth took over from Ben Bowns in goal for the Devils.
In Brief …
What a night in Cardiff – Steelers lead after the first period.
Tansey kicked out and Devils hit 3 straight in the second to lead 3-1
Never say die Steelers score two unanswered goals in the final period to take the game to OT
Juusola magic sets up Scott Allen winner
First Period
End to end action in the opening 20 minutes with both sides having the chance to take the lead
Matt Greenfield was the busier goalie as the Devils tried to impress at home after last night’s defeat.
It was however the Steelers who took the advantage after the Devils turned the puck over in the neutral zone with Daniel Ciampini finding Patrick Watling for the one timer to open the scoring
Before then Scott Allen had the best chance for the Steelers firing over the cross bar from close range.
At the other end Greenfield had denied Sanford as he went closest for the hosts
Second Period
Even start to the middle period with Martin going close at one end and Josh Nicholls having a super chance at the other.
24.14 Brett Neumann 2 minute penalty and power-play time for the Devils.
Sanford came closest with Greenfield making the big save. Nicholls then went close short handed. Steelers kill the Cardiff one man advantage.
Devils then thought they had scored when River Rymish blasted home, the video reply though showed that Ben Davies had made contact with Greenfield and the goal was wiped off.
Moments later the Devils were back on the power-play when Colton Saucerman took 2 for holding the stick at 27.26
Devils equalised and this time it stood with Martin getting the final touch from close range.
TURNING POINT at 29.15 when Kevin Tansey was thrown out of the game for charging. A fight broker out afterwards but Steelers ended up killing a five minute penalty.
Steelers had killed the majority of the penalty when Sanford finally got one past Greenfield at 31.35 to give the Devils the 2-1 advantage.
The 5 minute penalty ended and both teams returned to full strength.
Brett Neumann had a breakaway but was caught at the vital moment by Evan Mosey.
With just a minute remaining in the period a Steelers error with Matt Greenfield in two minds gave an easy scoring chance to Jamie Arneil to double the Devils advantage to 3-1 after 40 minutes
Third Period
Steelers came out for the final period on the front foot and had the momentum from the start.
With Scott Allen tripped the Steelers thought they would go on their first power-play of the night but to the surprise of all no penalty was called
Mark Simpson went close to narrowing the advantage, his wrap around effort was denied by Booth between the Devils pipes.
Trevor Cox to the penalty box for tripping and the Steelers first PP at 47.39 – Vallerand the first to go close firing just over the cross bar.
48.56 and end to end Patrick Watling scores a highlight real goal (1 for 1 on the PP) to bring the score back to 2-3
Steelers went looking for the equaliser, the Devils were on the back foot and on a rare venture forward tried to keep the puck behind Matt Greenfield’s goal. Steelers finally took possession and a long stretch pass found Juusola whose wrap around attempt set up a tap in for Kameron Kielly to make it 3-3 at 52.05
Neumann shot just wide for the Steelers, at the other end Cox just wide for the Devils as we headed towards OT
With 20 seconds on the clock Mark Simpson had a chance to win it but his shot blocked.
Overtime
Devils had the first chances of OT before Juusola went for a skate around and around the offensive zone, with the building dizzy he laid a pass off to Scott Allen who fired home for the OT winner
Patrick Watling our man of the match
Final score: Cardiff Devils 3-4 Sheffield Steelers
Next Home Game
Saturday 23rd September
Steelers Vs. Coventry Blaze
Elite League Opener – Game 1 on the Season Ticket
Doors and Shop Open 5.30pm
Face Off 7.00pm