Växjö Lakers 2-3 Steelers in OT
The Sheffield Steelers recorded the greatest win in the clubs history when beating CHL Växjö Lakers 3-2 in overtime.
Who else than Marco Vallerand to score the game winning goal, assisted by club captain Robert Dowd at 64.43 (just 17 seconds remaining in 3 on 3 overtime play)
It was a well deserved victory for Aaron Fox’s side, this wasn’t a hit and run victory, this was a controlled, professional and structured performance with the better side on the night winning.
Steelers once again led early through Daniel Leavens and held that lead to the first period break.
Växjö levelled on the power-play but the Steelers hit right back through Daniel Ciampini to take a 2-1 advantage into the final period.
The hosts levelled early in the third but the Steelers stayed strong led by the outstanding Kevin Tansey and saw the game through to overtime
The deadly duo of Dowd and Vallerand then struck in the final seconds to record the finest ever victory by a Steelers side against SHL opponents as Marco found the back of the net to send fans here in Sweden and back home in Sheffield wild
Steelers have 2 Champions Hockey League points
Tickets for Friday’s game against Sparta Prague on sale “HERE“
How the CHL saw the game …
A historic win for the Sheffield Steelers came against one of the biggest names in European hockey in the Växjö Lakers as Marc-Olivier Vallerand registered the game-winner on the powerplay in OT to lift his team 3-2 over the Swedes and secure just their second Champions Hockey League victory in the club’s history in the pan-European competition.
Just over a minute in, it was Sheffield gaining the lead with a deflection off the stick of Daniel Leavens who now has two goals in two games to begin this year’s CHL campaign. The play began with some cycling along the far boards before the puck found its way to Mitchell Balmas who slid it to Leavens who redirected it into the net to put the British on top.
With under two minutes to go in the first, the ice opened up when both sides were called for matching minors. Some quality scoring chances were had, but neither club was able to capitalise on the opportunity as they returned to their respective locker rooms with Sheffield leading in shots 11-8.
On only their second shot of the second period, Växjö finally got the better of Sheffield netminder Matthew Greenfield when they found the equaliser on their second powerplay with a deflection from Dennis Rasmussen. The 34-year-old centre parked himself at the top of the crease where he redirected a shot pass by Joel Persson to make it 1-1.
Not long after, though, it was Daniel Ciampini, who caused the penalty that gave the Swedes their powerplay tally, helping his club regain the lead when he let go a wrister that beat Emil Larmi. Joel Janatuinen corralled the puck by the near wall before floating it back to Ciampini who was trailing behind the play as the forward picked his target and wired it top shelf for his second marker in as many games.
Late in the period, Colton Saucerman was called for high-sticking, awarding Växjö their third powerplay, but Sheffield continued their excellent play on the PK to maintain their one-goal lead heading into the final stanza.
Just as the period began and their powerplay expired, it was the Swedish side evening things up again when Filip Eriksson tipped home a shot from the point at 40:19. The play would be challenged for offsides but would be upheld.
Still level at 2-2 after 60 minutes, extra time was needed to decide the winner and with less than 20 seconds remaining in OT, it was Vallerand firing it from the slot past Larmi to earn his club their historic win and those all-important points.
