Game Summary
After defeat in their first pre-season action to the hands of the Manchester Storm on Saturday night, the Steelers looked to kick start their season against local rivals, the Nottingham Panthers at Ice Sheffield this evening.
And kick start their season they did with a resounding win by five goals to one. New boy Daniel Leavens picking up the Man of the Match award for his new club with two goals and an assist to his name as Marco Vallerand, Mark Simpson and Patrick Watling also added their names to the scoresheet.
Bot offense and defence looking solid for Coach Fox’s new look side with returning and new squad members looking to have gelled well in a short space of time.
First Period [3-0]
A brilliant first period of exhibition hockey from the Steelers back on ‘home’ ice as they came out all guns blazing to outshoot the Panthers by eighteen to five after twenty minutes.
Marco Vallerand quickly back to finding the back of the net, giving the Steelers an early lead with only (1.33) on the clock as Matt Alfaro lined up the Steelers number #88 for big check, but Vallerand cut inside just in the nick of time to fire into the top corner of Bednard’s net.
Five minutes later and the Steelers doubled their lead with a first Steelers goal for Daniel Leavens. Initially credited to Patrick Watling with a look of a final tip on the play, the goal was re-credited to Leavens who put the final touch beyond Bednard with the clock showing (6.42). Assists given to “C” on the night, Kevin Tansey and Mitchell Balmas.
The Steelers were in full control throughout, pressuring the Panther defence from both wings. Mikko Juusola with quality chances as they went searching for the third.
Minor penalties were then exchanged between the two teams as Whistle was called for hooking his man before Sam Herr was sent to the box for boarding.
Despite chances around the squad, it took until the 17th minute for the Steelers to get their third. Mark Simpson with unassisted effort as he split the Panthers defence at their blue line and looked to go low on Bednard who got his pad down quickly, but Simpson’s shot had just enough to make it under and trickle over the line.
Second Period [5-1]
Forty minutes gone at the second period buzzer as the Steelers continued to dominate the contest and adding another to their lead despite the shot counter reading as a much closer contest in the second at ten to nine in favour of the Steelers.
The home team adding their fourth at (23.47). No re-crediting needed on this one as Daniel Leavens picked up his second of the night with a ripper of a snipe into the back of Bednard’s goal as he started to put on a show for his new fans. Second assist of the night for Balmas as netminder Matt Greenfield also got himself a point with the secondary.
The Steelers then unable to capitalise on their second powerplay of the night with Nieminen shown to the box for hooking. Slick passing from the Steelers, but unable to find that final effort.
After a short interlude for the official to leave the ice with injury after a collision with Kevin Tansey the play was back underway. All the best to Danny Beresford for a quick recovery.
It was then the Panthers turn for a bit of offensive action which resulted in the visitors first goal of the contest at (33.39). The returning Sam Herr with the quality finish across the body of Greenfield and over the blocker, assisted Niskala and Alfaro.
It was short-lived for the Panthers however as the Steelers reinstated their four-goal lead shortly afterwards at (35.06). Patrick Watling battling hard to get himself to the back post to be in the right place to send home a great feed from Leavens who moved to 2+1 on the night.
Third Period [5-1]
A much more even period in the third with the Panthers getting the better of the shot counter at eight to six giving the Steelers defence a good work out who looked solid throughout the contest.
Matthew Greenfield with a couple of stunning saves, one in particular where he looked all but beat at the far post only to out-stretch the pad and get it down just in the nick of time to deny the Panthers their second. Nineteen saves out of the twenty faced tonight giving him a stunning 95% save percentage to start his third Steelers campaign.
And that was all she wrote for the action as the Steelers moved to one and one in pre-season as they bounce back from defeat against the Manchester Storm. Daniel Leavens picking up his first Man of the Match award for the club and being sent on the first Eddy of the season after a consultation with Marco Vallerand. And a good effort it was!
Next up for the Steelers is back-to-back against the Cardiff Devils as we are on the road on Saturday night before returning to Ice Sheffield for the second encounter on Sunday. See you there!
