The Sheffield Steelers overcame a decent first two intervals to ship a commanding 5-1 victory over the Dundee Stars, scoring 4 unanswered targets within the third to maintain their Elite League title hopes alive.
The Steelers opened the scoring within the first interval by means of Mikko Juusola, who pounced on a lucky rebound to fit residence at 8:55. Regardless of Dundee edging the shot depend, Matthew Greenfield stood robust to keep up Sheffield’s 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Dundee discovered their equaliser within the second interval when Ben O’Connor fired a blue-line rocket previous Greenfield at 24:27, tying the sport 1-1. The Steelers responded with a wave of offensive stress, however Stars netminder Jarrett Fiske produced key stops, together with a superb two-on-one save towards Brandon Whistle and a one-on-one denial towards Daniel Ciampini, sending the sport into the ultimate interval deadlocked.
The third interval belonged to the Steelers. Daniel Leavens struck at 45:48, his tried cross deflecting off a Dundee defender and previous Fiske to revive Sheffield’s lead. The floodgates opened late, as Marco Vallerand (56:04), Mikko Juusola (56:33), and Leavens once more (59:05) all discovered the web, sealing a press release 5-1 win.
With Belfast Giants additionally profitable, the Steelers stay three factors behind with simply three video games left to play. Daniel Leavens was named Man of the Match, celebrating with a wheelbarrow race “Eddy” at centre ice.
The Steelers now head to Fife to face the Flyers tomorrow night time, earlier than a vital residence conflict with Cardiff Devils subsequent Saturday as they proceed their title pursuit.
First Interval [1-0] – Steelers Strike First in Tight Opening Interval Towards Stars
The Sheffield Steelers took a slender 1-0 lead into the primary intermission towards the Dundee Stars, with Mikko Juusola’s aim proving the distinction in a carefully contested interval on the Utilita Enviornment.
Earlier than puckdrop, these in attendance have been handled to the return of Grand Slammer and fan-favourite Tony Morrone who stopped over on his journey from Berlin again to North America.
With 4 video games remaining within the Elite League season, the Steelers proceed to chase down the Belfast Giants, who maintain a three-point benefit on the prime of the standings. The sport noticed the return of Brien Diffley from damage, slotting again into Sheffield’s defensive core, whereas Kevin Tansey shifted from defence to fourth-line ahead alongside Cole Shudra.
The visiting Dundee Stars edged the shot depend 10-9, however the Steelers discovered the one breakthrough. Kyle Pouncy had the primary actual check of Matthew Greenfield, firing from distance, however the Sheffield netminder handled it comfortably. On the different finish, Daniel Leavens got here shut from the left wing earlier than Greenfield was pressured into motion once more, overlaying a bouncing puck round his crease.
The primary penalty of the night time got here when Xavier Pouliot was referred to as for boarding after a heavy hit on Kevin Tansey close to the Stars’ bench. The Steelers’ powerplay struggled to generate high-quality probabilities, with Juusola’s long-range effort blocked in site visitors.
At 8:55, the Steelers discovered the breakthrough. Juusola’s preliminary shot from the low slot was saved by Jarrett Fiske, however the rebound deflected off Brandon Whistle and landed completely for Juusola to fit residence on the again publish. Mitchell Balmas added the secondary help. The aim was confirmed after a fast dialogue by the officers to verify for a hand-pass through the Whistle deflection.
Greenfield was the busier netminder because the interval progressed, making key saves on Kameron Kielly and Ben O’Connor to protect Sheffield’s lead. Regardless of Dundee main the shot depend, the Steelers carried a 1-0 benefit into the second interval.
Second Interval [1-1] – Steelers and Stars Locked at 1-1 After Second Interval BattleTop of Type
The Steelers and Stars headed into the ultimate interval tied at 1-1, after a hard-fought second interval that noticed each groups commerce momentum.
The Steelers edged forward in shot depend (26-19) by the tip of the body, nevertheless it was Dundee who discovered the one aim of the interval. The Stars had the higher begin, whereas Sheffield grew into the sport within the latter half, producing high quality probabilities however unable to discover a well past Jarrett Fiske.
Dundee obtained their breakthrough at 24:27, as Ben O’Connor fired a blue-line rocket previous Matthew Greenfield blocker facet. Craig Garrigan arrange the one-time blast after receiving a cross from Xavier Pouliot, with heavy site visitors in entrance leaving Greenfield with little likelihood to react.
The Steelers pushed again within the second half of the interval, with their greatest probabilities coming from Mikko Juusola’s velocity and Dominic Cormier’s playmaking from the again finish, however Fiske stood tall.
The Dundee netminder’s greatest save got here on a two-on-one break, the place Juusola fed Brandon Whistle on the again publish, just for Fiske to slip throughout and deny him with the blocker. Moments later, Daniel Ciampini broke free on a one-on-one after a stretch cross, however once more, Fiske had the reply.
Regardless of the Steelers’ late push, the sport remained deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the ultimate interval, organising an exhilarating conclusion in Sheffield.
Third Interval [5-1] – Steelers Dominate Third Interval to Overpower Stars 5-1
The Steelers turned a tense 1-1 sport right into a commanding 5-1 victory with a relentless third-period efficiency, scoring 4 unanswered targets to safe a vital two factors within the Elite League title race.
Daniel Leavens led the cost with two targets within the closing body, whereas Mikko Juusola added his second of the night time and Marco Vallerand delivered a rocket of a one-timer to seal the win.
The breakthrough got here at 45:48, as Daniel Leavens appeared to ship a cross throughout the crease however obtained a fortunate bounce off a Stars defenceman, wrongfooting Fiske and sending the puck into the highest of the web. Sam Tremblay and Joona Huttula offered the assists on what proved to be the game-winning aim.
The Stars had a short power-play likelihood at 47:03, with Jonathan McBean referred to as for slashing, however the Steelers couldn’t capitalise. Likewise, a too-many-men penalty towards Sheffield at 52:41 gave Dundee a possibility, however they failed to interrupt by means of Greenfield’s defences.
Then, the floodgates opened.
At 56:04, Marco Vallerand ripped a blistering one-timer from the slot, too highly effective for Fiske to deal with, placing the Steelers up 3-1. Robert Dowd and Patrick Watling offered the setup.
Simply 29 seconds later (56:33), Mikko Juusola struck once more, netting his second of the night time to make it 4-1.
The ultimate blow got here at 59:05, when Daniel Leavens bagged his second aim, firing residence from the suitable wing after a setup from Josh Saucerman and goaltender Matthew Greenfield.
With the 5-1 win, the Steelers preserve tempo with the Belfast Giants, who additionally gained, sustaining a three-point hole on the prime with simply three video games remaining. In the meantime, Nottingham Panthers misplaced, falling additional behind in third place and formally out of the title race. Protecting the Panthers engaged was essential for Sheffield, as they face Belfast twice within the closing two video games of the season.
niel Leavens earned Man of the Match honours, celebrating with a wheelbarrow race “Eddy” at centre ice.
Subsequent up, the Steelers hit the highway to face the Fife Flyers tomorrow night time, earlier than returning residence subsequent Saturday to tackle the Cardiff Devils in one other must-win matchup.
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