Steelers go top with road win
Photo: Scott Wiggins
Sheffield Steelers went top of the Elite League with a four-goal road win over Coventry Blaze at the Skydome.
Sheffield and Coventry traded early penalties in a stop–start opening period, beginning less than two minutes in when Colton Saucerman was called for holding. The Steelers generated the first clear chance at 5:49 on a 2 on 1 rush, but Mat Robson stood firm to keep the game scoreless.
“I thought we were very good tonight,” said Steelers captain Robert Dowd. “I think we started well, it was a very even first period and we were happy to come in a goal up, especially on the road.”
Coventry’s best look of the period came during a slashing minor to Joona Huttula, where sustained pressure on the powerplay forced several saves from Eamon McAdam, but no breakthrough. With three minutes left, Ivan Chukarov picked out Mike Pelech at the back post only for the Blaze forward to fan on the chance.
The deadlock was broken with 41 seconds remaining in the period. Matthew Gleason was sent to the box for slashing and, just six seconds into the powerplay, Mikko Juusola snapped home from close range to give the Steelers a 1–0 lead.
“I think we came out pretty good, but we need to be more effective with our scoring chances. We’re not putting the puck in the net right now and that’s making it tough for us,” admitted Blaze captain Kim Tallberg. “We’re struggling at the moment, but I still have a strong belief in this group. Sheffield took their chances today, we have to execute better.”
Sheffield wasted no time doubling their advantage in the middle frame. Only 16 seconds into the period, Dominic Cormier drifted into space in front of Robson and buried a clean finish for 2–0. Grant Mismash struck iron moments later, but the Steelers extended their lead at 24:45 when Mitch Heard cut across the crease and lifted the puck over Robson, a goal confirmed after a brief review.
“The quick goal in the second settled us and we played really well from there,” added Dowd. “They got one at the end of that period to bring them back into the game, but I thought we played a solid third period.”
Coventry pushed back midway through the period, with Elijah Barriga denied on a breakaway and Matthew Gleason unable to convert the rebound. The Blaze finally struck with 1:26 left when Robert Dowd was called for hooking. Jere Vertanen made the powerplay count, hammering a shot from the blue line to get Coventry on the board and spark Air the Bear 2025 inside the Skydome with less than 30 seconds remaining in the middle period.
Just under ten minutes into the final period, Sam Tremblay pounced to score shorthanded and put the Steelers up by three.
He later hit the empty net to complete a 5–1 win for the visitors.
“We needed to put one in to get some energy. It was a big goal for us to pull it back to 3–1 before the third period, but we didn’t take our chances and gave up a stupid play the other way,” said Tallberg.
