Sheffield Steelers logged a four-point haul on retro weekend with a 4-3 win over Cardiff Devils, maintaining the stress on league leaders Belfast Giants.
For almost all of the opening ten minutes the rating remained degree. The Steelers had the perfect probability to open the scoring when a scramble in entrance of the Devils internet offered Veeti Vainio with what seemed a sure objective – just for a wonderful pad-stack save from Ben Bowns to disclaim him.
The house facet did go forward although shortly after. Colton Saucerman’s stretch go discovered Marc-Olivier Vallerand who was capable of undergo on Bowns, and whereas the British goalie made the put it aside was Saucerman who was readily available to place the rebound residence at 9:11.
Mitchell Balmas had an excellent probability to double the lead, whereas Ben Almqvist got here near tying the sport, earlier than the interval was out.
The Steelers wanted simply 27 seconds to go two up within the second. Mikko Juusola was the beneficiary on the far put up after an errand Kevin Tansey shot took a lucky bounce to finish up on Mitchell Balmas’ stick.
Zach O’Brien tipped Cody Donaghey’s shot previous Matt Greenfield at 30:55 to carry the Devils again to inside one. Nevertheless, lower than two minutes later Bowns by no means had the puck lined from Vallerand’s shot and Patrick Watling was capable of knock the free puck over the road. Cardiff challenged the play, and took a bench minor for an Incorrect Coach’s Problem.
The Steelers took two minors in a row to finish the interval, and that led to a Joey Martin shot by visitors bringing them again to inside one 92 seconds kind the buzzer.
An Evan Mosey interception prevented Vallerand having the puck with solely Bowns to beat early in interval three. The Devils started to take over the puck possession, nonetheless, though with out working Greenfield into any severe saves.
From one finish to the opposite, the sport was determined. Matt Greenfield made an enormous save because the puck broke for Cody Donaghey who might solely shoot immediately at him. The Steelers broke down the opposite finish, and had Kevin Tansey get on the top of Vallerand’s go and shoot past Bowns to place the Steelers two up with 2:45 to play.
Bowns was pulled with roughly 80 seconds to go, with Greenfield denying O’Brien on an honest probability for the guests. With 14 seconds to play, Cole Sanford acquired on a free puck across the Steelers’ goalie to make it 4-3 and arrange an thrilling ultimate play. The Devils gained the draw, however couldn’t arrange for an excellent shot on Greenfield. Daniel Ciampini acquired the puck clear to safe two factors for the hosts.
With EIHL match report
