Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers wrapped up their Retro Weekend in style, securing a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Cardiff Devils at the Utilita Arena to claim a crucial four-point weekend.
Sheffield took early control in the first period, outshooting Cardiff 12-4 in the opening 10 minutes. Colton Saucerman opened the scoring at 9:11, rifling a shot past Ben Bowns for his first home goal of the season. The Devils responded with late pressure, but Matthew Greenfield stood tall, ensuring the Steelers took a 1-0 lead into the break.
The second period saw both teams trade goals in an end-to-end battle. Sheffield doubled their advantage just 27 seconds into the frame, with Mikko Juusola finishing off a slick passing play. Cardiff hit back at 30:55 through Zach O’Brien, but the Steelers responded instantly, with Patrick Watling restoring the two-goal cushion at 32:53. The Devils refused to go away, cutting the deficit again on a powerplay strike from Joey Martin at 38:28, making it 3-2 heading into the final period.
The third period remained tense, with limited scoring chances as both teams battled for control. The breakthrough came late when Kevin Tansey delivered a moment of brilliance, breaking in behind the Devils’ defence and, while falling to the ice, firing top corner at 57:15 to make it 4-2. Cardiff pushed back, pulling Bowns for the extra skater and finding a lifeline with just 14 seconds left through Cole Sanford. However, the Steelers held firm in the dying moments to close out a thrilling victory.
Patrick Watling was named the Steelers’ Man of the Match, while Joey Martin earned the honours for Cardiff. With back-to-back wins over the weekend, Sheffield now sets their sights on Friday’s road clash against the Glasgow Clan before returning home to face the Manchester Storm on Saturday night
First Period [1-0] – Steelers Strike First in Fast-Paced Opening Period Against Devils
The Sheffield Steelers carried their momentum from Saturday’s dramatic overtime win into the second game of their Retro Weekend doubleheader, taking an early lead against the Cardiff Devils in front of a lively crowd at the Utilita Arena.
Wearing their classic black and teal jerseys and welcoming back ex-Steeler and fan favourite, Jonas Westerling, the Steelers started brightly, dominating the first 10 minutes and outshooting the Devils 12-4 at the halfway stage. Brandon Whistle was a constant threat, forcing Cardiff netminder Ben Bowns into back-to-back saves from close range. Bowns produced a highlight-reel stop moments later, kicking up his left pad while lying on his back to deny another Steelers effort.
The breakthrough finally came at 9:11 when Colton Saucerman found the net for the first time at home this season. Pouncing on a loose puck in the Devils’ zone, Saucerman fired a quick shot from the left-wing circle, beating Bowns at the near post. Marco Vallerand and Patrick Watling provided the assists as the home crowd erupted.
Cardiff had a chance to respond two minutes later when Sacha Guimond was called for hooking at 11:03, but the Steelers’ penalty kill held firm, with Matthew Greenfield making a key pad save to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
The Devils grew into the game in the latter half of the period, applying more pressure on Greenfield’s net, but the Steelers held their ground. The period ended with a final chance for Sheffield as Daniel Leavens led an odd-man rush, only for Bowns to slide across and make another crucial stop at the back post.
With Sheffield holding a 1-0 lead after an action-packed first period, the stage was set for an intense battle in the remainder of the game.
Second Period [3-2] – Steelers and Devils Trade Blows in Action-Packed Second Period
The Steelers and Devils went back and forth in a thrilling second period, with both teams finding the net twice in a fast-paced, hard-fought 20 minutes.
The Steelers wasted no time adding to their lead, striking just 27 seconds into the period. Kevin Tansey worked the puck behind the Devils’ net to Mitchell Balmas, who teed up Mikko Juusola out front. Juusola made no mistake, firing past Ben Bowns to give Sheffield a 2-0 advantage.
The game then settled into a seven-minute stalemate before Cardiff nearly cut the deficit. Ryan Barrow rang a shot off the inside of Matthew Greenfield’s post, but the puck stayed out, keeping the Steelers’ two-goal cushion intact. Moments later, Daniel Leavens had a golden chance at the other end but was denied five-hole by Bowns.
The Devils eventually found a way through at 30:55. Andrew MacWilliam was given space at the blue line and fired a shot that ricocheted around the crease before Zach O’Brien got the final touch to deflect it past Greenfield. Cody Donaghey picked up the lone assist as Cardiff cut the Steelers’ lead to 2-1.
Sheffield responded swiftly, regaining their two-goal advantage just under two minutes later. Marco Vallerand carried the puck over the blue line and set up Robert Dowd, whose shot was initially stopped by Bowns. A chaotic scramble ensued, with Vallerand battling for the loose puck before Patrick Watling pounced to tuck it home at 32:53. Cardiff challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but after review, it stood, putting the Steelers on the powerplay for delay of game. Despite two dangerous efforts from Balmas, Bowns held firm.
The Steelers’ man advantage was cut short at 34:57 when Sam Tremblay was called for boarding, giving the Devils their second powerplay of the night. Cardiff’s Cole Sanford blasted a shot from the point, but Greenfield stood tall, and Sheffield successfully killed off the penalty.
However, the Devils got another chance on the powerplay at 37:35 when Daniel Leavens was penalised for holding the stick. This time, Cardiff capitalised. Off the face-off, Joey Martin collected the puck at the right-wing circle and fired through traffic, beating an unsighted Greenfield to make it 3-2 at 38:28. Evan Mosey provided the assist as the Devils pulled within one.
After an end-to-end period with momentum swinging both ways, the Steelers carried a narrow 3-2 lead into the final frame, setting the stage for an intense finish.
Third Period & Overtime [] – Tansey’s Spectacular Goal Seals Four-Point Weekend for Steelers
The Steelers capped off a perfect Retro Weekend with a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Devils, with Kevin Tansey’s stunning late goal proving the difference in a tense third period.
The period started with an early two-on-one break for the Steelers, but Evan Mosey made a crucial sliding interception to deny the pass and break up the opportunity. Moments later, Robert Dowd and Marco Vallerand both had close-range chances denied by Ben Bowns. Dowd driving from behind the net and Vallerand firing from the low slot.
The first half of the period saw little offensive action, with both teams clogging the neutral zone and making it difficult to generate sustained pressure. Tensions on the Steelers’ bench began to rise after a series of questionable officiating decisions, including an offside and icing call they disputed, as well as two non-calls, one on a Robert Dowd trip and another when Sam Tremblay was boarded in the Devils’ zone.
At 54:35, Sheffield finally got their first powerplay of the period when Patrick Watling was tripped by Ben Almquist in the slot. Mitchell Balmas came closest to capitalising, ringing a shot off the underside of the crossbar, but the Steelers struggled to create high-quality chances and were largely kept to the perimeter.
Then, with just under three minutes left, the moment of the night arrived. Kevin Tansey battled his way behind the Devils’ defence, and as he was falling to the ice, somehow managed to fire the puck top corner past Bowns for a spectacular goal at 57:15. The Utilita Arena erupted as Tansey’s effort, assisted by Marco Vallerand and Daniel Ciampini put the Steelers on the brink of victory.
Cardiff pulled Bowns for the extra skater with around 90 seconds to play, and their pressure paid off. With just 14 seconds left on the clock, Cole Sanford poked home a loose puck in the crease, sending tensions soaring in the dying moments.
Despite the late setback, the Steelers held firm in the final seconds to secure the win and complete a four-point weekend.
Joey Martin was named Man of the Match for the Devils, while Patrick Watling took the honours for the Steelers, capping off his night with a penalty-shot goal against Kevin Tansey in the celebratory “Eddy,” complete with a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired celebration.
With momentum on their side, the Steelers now turn their attention to a road trip against the Glasgow Clan on Friday night before returning home to face the Manchester Storm next Saturday.
