Game Summary
Make ours a triple said the boys as they racked up a third consecutive Champions Hockey League victory against European heavyweights Skelleftea AIK, the Champions of the Swedish Hockey League and last years runners up in the CHL.
Mark Simpson found the match winner in the second period as the teams were all level at two a-piece after twenty minutes. The Steelers making the brightest start with two goals in the first four minutes through Brandon Whistle and Joel Janatuinen before Skelleftea took control and drew the game level through Andreas Johnson and Zeb Lindgren.
The Steelers continued to battle and battle and out-shoot the visitors to take the win and place themselves at 8th in the league table.
First Period [2-2]
A blazing start for the Sheffield Steelers once again in Champions Hockey League action as the home team were up by two within the first few minutes after Kevin Tansey set the tone from the off looking to lay a big hit at the boards in his own zone.
The first effort falling to Daniel Leavens after Patrick Wating battled his way into the offensive zone to find Leavens around the slot area but was unable to finish the move.
However, it was very different for the Steelers on the next two offensive rushes with Brandon Whistle and Top Scorer Jersey wearer, Joel Janatuinen finding the back of the net down the right wing.
Whistle’s goal coming with only (2.47) showing on the clock. Cole Shudra taking the puck just inside the blue line of the offensive zone on the left wing and made a pin-point pass across the zone to find Whistle who ripped it above the catcher of Skelleftea netminder, Alexander Hellnemo.
Less then one minute later at (3.42) and the Steelers were two to the good. Again, down the right wing, but this time unassisted from Janatuinen winning a broken play at the Skelleftea blue line and just like Whistle, made no mistake finding the top corner above the catcher.
The visitors then began to show their quality in the middle of the period, pressuring the Steelers zone and that paid dividend with back-to-back goals of their own at (9.38) and (10.57), both cracking finishes from the slot over the blocker of Steelers netminder, Mathew Greenfield.
Skelleftea’s Top Scorer Andreas Johnson with the first for the visitors. Greenfield doing well to make the first save on the play, but the rebound fell nicely and was fired home with pin-point accuracy.
It was the Skelleftea’s #44, Zeb Lindgren with the second from the slot. Lovely feed from Rickard Hugg found Lindgren who went bar-down on Greenfield.
Some good work then from the Steelers penalty killers who killed off a Ciampini slashing call before Marco Vallerand and Rickard Hugg got into some after when sticks were left in on Greenfield after a great save from close range.
All square as the teams headed into the second period.
Second Period [3-2]
Another very positive start of the period for the Steelers forcing the visitors into an early icing followed up by a good pad save being required by Hellnemo from a Tansey blue line effort.
Physicality ramping up throughout the period with Robert Dowd and Marco Vallerand often having words after the whistle with Skelleftea’s skaters as the game looked like it could come to blows on several occasions.
The penalty killers for both teams looking particularly strong on the evening, both helping to kill off penalties in the period as Sacha Guimond was sent to the box for tripping in the 23rd minute and Anton Heikkinen being called for interference in the 31st.
As the teams went back and forth, Joona Huttula picked up the puck at the right circle in his own zone and looked up to spot Mark Simpson at the offensive blue line and he picked him out with a perfect pass to send him in all alone on Hellnemo. Keeping it on his forehand, he picked a spot just below the catcher of the Skelleftea netminder and fired home to send the crowd into raptures once again. Goal timed at (34.03).
The Steelers then had a couple more chances to finish the period, another on the powerplay as Jonathan Davidsson was called for hooking Ciampini as a two on one developed before Patrick Watling made his feelings known with a stick against the boards as he puck handled around the Skelleftea’s defence but sendt the puck just across the wrong side of the goal line from a tight angle.
Third Period [3-2]
Thirty-four shots for the Steelers and twenty-four for Skelleftea by the buzzer shows the unbelievable performance put in by the home team and particularly once again, Matthew Greenfield who came out with another 92+% save percentage against some of the best offensive power in Europe. Greenfield will also give huge props to those in-front of him who worked tirelessly from puck drop to final minute. Those in the crowd showing their appreciation for their heroes, cheering every block, shot, and clearance like it was a goal of its own.
And that relentless effort gave the Steelers their third consecutive CHL victory against another European powerhouse and at the time of writing placed them at 8th overall in the CHL table with 8 points from their four games played. The top 16 will make it through to the play-off section of the competition – can we dare to dream?
It is back to reality first though with the start of the EIHL campaign which gets underway for your Sheffield Steelers on Saturday night as we take on the Guildford Flames in Challenge Cup action as we also raise the three Championship banners. The night before will see the launch of the 24/25 jerseys with an action-packed night planned.
