Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion during a commanding second period, scoring four unanswered goals to take a 4-0 lead over the Coventry Blaze in their Pride Weekend opener.
After a scoreless first frame marked by defensive discipline, the Steelers exploded offensively at the halfway mark. Kevin Tansey, making his debut as a forward, opened the scoring at 30:06 with a dazzling deke and finish, assisted by Mark Simpson and Daniel Ciampini.
Just over a minute later, Daniel Leavens doubled the advantage, rifling a top-corner snipe past Blaze netminder Mat Robson. Patrick Watling earned the primary assist on the play, as the Steelers’ momentum built rapidly.
A too-many-men penalty against Coventry set the stage for Sheffield’s powerplay to shine, and Mitchell Balmas wasted no time, scoring just eight seconds into the man advantage at 33:10. Assisted by Ciampini and Dominic Cormier, Balmas’ clinical finish extended the lead to 3-0.
The period’s final goal came at 38:21, as Sacha Guimond, with his family in attendance, delivered a slick move in the slot to lift the puck into the roof of the net, capping an unforgettable period for the Steelers.
With a commanding lead heading into the third, the Steelers left the Blaze searching for answers and poised to finish their sixth consecutive victory as Kevin Tansey picked up his second of the game with Matthew Greenfield completing his shut-out at the other end.
First Period [0-0] – Defences Shine in Scoreless Opening Period Between Steelers and Blaze
With five wins on the bounce and a week of rest under their belts, the Steelers had the opportunity to extend their winning run with a double header weekend at the Utilita Arena. The double header weekend which saw the Coventry Blaze in town tonight and the Fife Flyers tomorrow evening also coincided with our Pride weekend in which we celebrate Ice Hockey being an inclusive sport for all, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. You always have and you will always be welcomed at the Sheffield Steelers.
If you can shoot, you can shoot.
If you can coach, you can coach.
If you can cheer, you can cheer.
If you can play, you can play.
With the puck dropped, the Steelers and Blaze battled through a defensive stalemate in the first period, with neither team managing to find the back of the net. The opening 20 minutes showcased disciplined play on both ends, limiting offensive opportunities and setting up a tense middle frame.
The Blaze started with early momentum, as Archie Hazeldine fired a shot wide before Steelers netminder Matthew Greenfield was tested by a quality chance from Jack Hopkins. At the other end, Sheffield generated their first notable chances through Mark Simpson and Maxim Golod, but Blaze goalie Mat Robson was equal to the task. Golod’s speed was on display as he cut across the crease for a backhand attempt, but Robson’s quick pad save kept the game level.
Patrick Watling created a pair of close-range opportunities as the Steelers briefly gained control, but Dominic Cormier’s defensive awareness thwarted a potential Blaze two-on-one with a timely stick intervention.
In the latter half of the period, Sheffield had two opportunities on the powerplay following penalties to Mike Kennedy for cross-checking and Brandon Alderson for tripping. Despite solid puck movement, the Steelers couldn’t solve Robson, who made a key shoulder save on a top-corner attempt from Watling in the final minutes.
As the buzzer sounded, the score remained 0-0, with the Steelers outshooting the Blaze 11-8 but still searching for a breakthrough. With both teams emphasizing defensive structure, the second period promises to be pivotal in this closely contested matchup.
Second Period [4-0] – Steelers Dominate Second Period to Take Commanding Lead Over Blaze
The Steelers exploded offensively in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals to seize control of the game against the Blaze. After a cautious first frame, the Steelers overwhelmed the Blaze with relentless pressure, leaving the visitors reeling as the period came to a close.
The period began with both teams swapping minor penalties—Mikko Juusola and Terrance Amorosa both sitting for hooking infractions—but the Steelers quickly shifted into high gear. The breakthrough came at 30:06 when Kevin Tansey, playing as a forward for the night, dazzled with a deke around the Blaze defence before sliding the puck home. Mark Simpson and Daniel Ciampini provided the assists on Tansey’s highlight-reel effort.
The Steelers struck again just 71 seconds later as Daniel Leavens showcased his accuracy, picking the top corner over Mat Robson’s glove with a pinpoint snipe. Patrick Watling set up the goal, and the Blaze appeared shaken.
Coventry compounded their problems by taking a too-many-men penalty, and Sheffield wasted no time on the powerplay. Just eight seconds into the man advantage, Mitchell Balmas found the net from the left circle at 33:10, finishing a smooth passing sequence from Daniel Ciampini and Dominic Cormier.
The onslaught continued, with the Steelers pouring 16 shots on Robson’s goal in the period. At 38:21, Sacha Guimond, playing in front of his parents, capped the scoring with a slick move in the slot, lifting the puck into the top corner to make it 4-0.
The Steelers headed into the third period with a commanding lead, firmly in control after a dominant second frame that left the Blaze searching for answers.
Third Period [5-0] – Tansey Shines as Steelers Cruise to Victory
The Steelers showed no signs of relinquishing their lead in the third period, securing a commanding 5-0 win over the Blaze in their Pride Weekend opener. Kevin Tansey sealed the victory with his second goal of the night, showcasing a clinical performance and earning well-deserved Man of the Match honours.
Tansey’s second tally came at 43:05, courtesy of a perfect feed from Daniel Ciampini. Breaking down the left wing, Tansey rifled a short-side shot over Mat Robson’s blocker, adding the exclamation point to a dominant Steelers effort.
At the other end, Matthew Greenfield was a wall in net, stopping all 28 shots he faced for his first full shutout of the season. His stellar performance anchored the Steelers’ defensive effort and ensured the Blaze had no route back into the contest.
Post-game, Tansey celebrated his Man of the Match recognition in style, taking his teammates to centre ice and showcasing his #TanseySmash strength with a single punch sending the circle of players tumbling to the ice.
The win extends Sheffield’s unbeaten streak to six games, moving them to 36 points from 27 games played. Despite victories for the Belfast Giants and Cardiff Devils keeping the Steelers in third place, their momentum continues to build ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with the Fife Flyers in the second game of the Pride Weekend doubleheader.
