Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers triumphed in a thrilling shootout victory over the Coventry Blaze in EIHL Challenge Cup action, winning 5-4 after a fiercely contested match. The Steelers dominated early, racing to a 3-1 lead in the first period with goals from Daniel Leavens, Patrick Watling, and Daniel Ciampini. The Blaze fought back, with David Clements and Jakob Stridsberg helping narrow the gap before Grayson Constable’s controversial late goal tied the game 4-4.
Despite a major powerplay for the Blaze following Mark Simpson’s ejection, Sheffield’s defense, led by Matt Greenfield, held strong in overtime. The match went to a shootout, where Mitchell Balmas and Daniel Ciampini secured the Steelers’ first road win of the season.
The Steelers now prepare for upcoming games against the Nottingham Panthers and Belfast Giants, looking to build on their winning momentum.
First Period [1-3] Steelers Dominate Early, but Blaze Fight Back in Opening Period Thriller
The Sheffield Steelers kicked off their latest game with an explosive first period, securing a commanding 3-1 lead over the Coventry Blaze in EIHL Challenge Cup action. The Steelers dominated the early minutes, finding the back of the net three times within the opening 11 minutes, but the Blaze gradually clawed their way back into the contest.
The tone was set just 14 seconds into the game, as Daniel Leavens scored the Steelers third fastest goal in EIHL history. The play began with a hard forecheck by Mitchell Balmas, who forced a turnover behind the Blaze net. Balmas then found Leavens in front of Blaze netminder Mat Robson, who deftly lifted the puck over Robson’s shoulder and into the roof of the goal, giving the Steelers a dream start.
Momentum continued to build for Sheffield as Cole Shudra and Finlay Ulrick applied pressure during their first shift, forcing Blaze into mistakes. Shortly after, Steelers goaltender Matt Greenfield was tripped by Chase Gresock, putting the visitors on their first powerplay of the night. The Steelers wasted no time capitalising, extending their lead to 2-0 at 4:06. Patrick Watling received a feed from Colton Saucerman and blasted a one-timer into the top corner from the right-wing circle.
The Blaze, seemingly overwhelmed in the early stages, found themselves back on the penalty kill when Archie Hazeldine was called for tripping Steelers’ forward Daniel Ciampini near the Blaze goal. While the Steelers didn’t add to their tally on this occasion, Coventry’s struggles continued when they conceded a shorthanded goal shortly afterward. At 11:07, Ciampini picked up the puck at his own blue line and weaved through the Blaze defence. Despite a tight angle, Ciampini managed to sneak a shot past Robson to make it 3-0.
The Blaze, however, refused to go down without a fight. Still on the powerplay after Mikko Juusola was sent to the box for holding, Coventry responded at 12:03. A slick passing play between Nick Seitz, Kim Tallberg, and Jackson Cressey gave Cressey enough space in the slot to beat Greenfield, popping the water bottle off the top of the net as he put the Blaze on the board.
By the end of the first period, the Steelers had outshot the Blaze 15-12. While Sheffield held the advantage for much of the opening 20 minutes, Coventry gained some momentum heading into the second period, aided by another Steelers penalty as Saucerman was sent to the box for tripping.
As the period unfolded, it looked like it could be a contest full of momentum shifts and intensity, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the match.
Second Period [2-4] Penalty-Filled Second Period Sees Steelers Maintain Two-Goal Lead Over Blaze
The second period of the clash between the Sheffield Steelers and the Coventry Blaze was action-packed, with both teams netting a goal and racking up a total of 39 penalty minutes. The period was marked by intense back-and-forth play, as both sides battled fiercely from the start, and tempers flared as the game grew increasingly physical.
The Steelers began by successfully killing off the remainder of Colton Saucerman’s penalty, then quickly found themselves with two powerplay opportunities. However, despite coming close, Sheffield couldn’t extend their lead. Finlay Ulrick and Marco Vallerand both struck the post behind a beaten Mat Robson, narrowly missing the chance to put the Steelers up by four.
Momentum then swung the other way as Sheffield had to endure back-to-back penalty kills, including a brief 5-on-3 disadvantage. Kevin Tansey was called for tripping, followed by Brien Diffley’s cross-checking minor. Despite the Blaze’s powerplay advantage, the Steelers’ penalty-killing unit, led by goaltender Matt Greenfield, held firm. In fact, Mark Simpson nearly scored for the Steelers on a shorthanded breakaway, but Robson denied his five-hole attempt.
Coventry finally managed to cut the deficit to one at 33:18. David Clements carried the puck into the Steelers’ zone and fired a shot that deflected off a Steelers stick, wrong-footing Greenfield and flying over his pad to make it 3-2.
As tensions boiled over, Daniel Leavens and Morten Jurgens were both sent to the penalty box for roughing. Shortly after, Blaze forward Kim Tallberg was ejected from the game for a slew-foot on Mitchell Balmas, earning the Steelers a major powerplay. Sheffield wasted no time capitalising, with Brandon Whistle scoring at 35:35. Whistle battled through a scrum in front of Robson’s net, forcing the puck into the goal to restore the Steelers’ two-goal cushion.
Blaze’s misfortunes continued when their coach, Kevin Moore, challenged the goal unsuccessfully, resulting in an additional penalty for Coventry. Despite having to kill off a lengthy 5-on-3 and the remainder of the major penalty, the Blaze defence held firm to keep the score at 4-2.
As the period came to a close, the Steelers maintained their two-goal lead, setting up a high-stakes final period with Coventry still very much in the game. The relentless physicality and high penalty count hinted at an intense conclusion, as both teams looked to assert control in the decisive moments of the match.
Third Period, Overtime & Penalties [4-5] (s/o 1-2) Steelers Edge Blaze in Shootout Thriller to Secure First Road Win of EIHL Season
The Sheffield Steelers proved why top teams find ways to win, even when not at their best, as they battled through a tough third period to edge the Coventry Blaze in a penalty shootout. After the Blaze erased a two-goal deficit and forced the game to overtime, the Steelers dug deep and came away with their first road victory of the EIHL season.
Coventry began their comeback early in the third period, cutting the deficit to one at 44:24. Jakob Stridsberg fired a one-timer just inside the Steelers’ blue line, sneaking the puck through Matt Greenfield’s five-hole. Jackson Cressey picked up the assist on the play as the Blaze closed in on the Steelers.
The next ten minutes saw scrappy, disjointed hockey as both teams struggled to gain any real momentum. However, at 58:15, the Blaze pulled level under controversial circumstances. Grayson Constable found the back of the net with assists from Chase Gresock and Michael Regush, but the Steelers bench was outraged. They felt the goal should have been disallowed due to the net being displaced and a missed face-off violation moments before the goal. Despite their protests, the officials allowed the goal to stand, tying the game at 4-4.
As play resumed, more drama unfolded. Steelers forward Mark Simpson was ejected for a cross-check off the faceoff, leading to a major powerplay for the Blaze. After a video review, the officials confirmed the ejection, leaving the Steelers to defend the penalty well into overtime.
Despite being shorthanded, Sheffield’s defence held strong during overtime. Greenfield came up big several times, the Steelers defence keeping Blaze’s chances to the outside and helping Greenfield make the key saves. Once the Steelers killed off the major penalty, they gained some control but couldn’t find the game-winner before the contest headed to a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, it was Mitchell Balmas and Daniel Ciampini who stepped up for the Steelers. Both scored on their attempts, outmatching the Blaze’s lone successful effort, sealing the win and two points for the reigning Grand Slam champions. Patrick Watling being awarded the Steelers Man of the Match award.
With the first road victory in hand, the Steelers now shift their focus to next weekend. They’ll take on the Nottingham Panthers on Saturday in Challenge Cup action, followed by their league opener against the Belfast Giants at the Utilita Arena on Sunday, with a 4 PM face-off. We will all be hoping for another thrilling performance as the new season gets underway.
📸 Dean Woolley
📸 Scott Wiggins (Coventry Blaze)