Steelers find home comforts in win over Storm

Photo: Hayley Roberts

Sheffield Steelers returned home and to winning ways with a 5-2 victory over Manchester Storm in front of a crowd of 9,140 at the Utilita Arena.

It was the sixth Roses Clash of the season and the fourth meeting between the sides in Sheffield, with both teams coming into the game off the back of defeats. Manchester had won the previous two encounters, but it was the Steelers who responded on home ice.

“It’s what we needed,” said Steelers defenceman Brien Diffley. “Everyone in our locker room knows what we’re capable of. We had a reset this week and knew if we put some results together, we’re still right there.”

Sheffield opened the scoring at 6:39 after sustained pressure, Diffley’s low wrist shot from the point deflecting off a Storm stick and then Mikko Juusola to beat Drew DeRidder. Just 32 seconds later the lead was doubled, Evan Jasper finishing high from the hashmarks after being sprung on a partial breakaway by Reece Kelly.

After a scoreless middle portion of the game, the Steelers struck again late in the second period. More extended offensive-zone pressure saw Jasper snap home his second of the night from the low slot to make it 3-0.

“I think it was a closer game than the score showed,” said Storm’s Raid Francis. “The last 20 minutes we really picked it up, but it got away from us.”

Patrick Watling appeared to put the game beyond reach with 9:09 remaining, scoring on the spin for his first goal since rejoining the Steelers. However, Storm responded quickly as Francis shot through to pull one back 28 seconds later.

"Josh definitely tipped that," said Francis, with the goal being changed after the game to give Crawley his first professional goal. “Josh, Theo and I, and the other younger Brits, are all trying to make our way in this league and chipping away, it’s great to see these things come with a reward.”

Stephen Johnson scored off a faceoff at 55:07 to suddenly make it a two-goal game.

DeRidder was pulled for the extra skater in the closing stages, but Mitchell Balmas sealed the result with an empty-net goal with 26 seconds remaining.

“We strung together 50 good minutes tonight,” added Diffley. “Now it’s about making it 60 and building on this.”