Steelers too good for Clan

Photo: Al Goold

Sheffield Steelers cut the gap on Coventry Blaze in second place with a 7-1 thrashing of Glasgow Clan at Braehead Arena on Saturday night.

The Steelers thought they'd opened the scoring early in Scotland but Jonathan Phillips' effort was ruled out for being played with a high stick. Robert Dowd did open the scoring at 14:27 for the visitors at 14:27 off an excellent backhanded pass from Martin Látal. Steven McParland levelled for Clan 7:13 into period two - after the hosts had been unable to find a way through on a 5-on-3 advantage, the Clan forward got the final touch on the 5-on-4 powerplay to bring things level. 

That was, however, as good as things got for the home side. Matt Petgrave beat Ty Taylor high blocker side to put the Steelers back ahead at 33:20, while Látal one-time home from the slot on the rush to make it 3-1 at 38:35. Danny Kristo's powerplay goal in close when Taylor couldn't get the puck covered put the visitors 4-1 up after 40 minutes.

Sebastian Piche's shot from the point went all the way through 5:03 into period three for the Steelers fifth of the night, while Dowd and Kristo both added a second goal each to round off a comfortable win for Aaron Fox's men.