Game Summary
The night started with a perfectly observed two-minute silence for all those that have made and continue to make the ultimate sacrifices for our freedom and safety. There will never be enough thank yous. The Steelers then welcomed a new face to the line-up in Veeti Vainio to add to the already strong Finnish contingent in the Steelers line-up.
The Belfast Giants came out strong, taking control early with a two-goal first period. Elijiah Barriga led the charge with two goals, firing past Steelers’ goalie Matthew Greenfield just 1:25 into the game and then again at 8:38. Despite the Steelers’ struggles to generate offense, Patrick Watling finally broke through, scoring at 16:26 to narrow the deficit to one goal.
Sheffield found their rhythm in the second period, seizing momentum and eventually the lead. A power play goal from Sacha Guimond, followed by Patrick Watling’s second goal of the night, flipped the game in the Steelers’ favour. A spirited fight between Steelers’ captain Robert Dowd and Bo Hanson seemed to rally the team even further, as they entered the third period with a one-goal lead.
The Steelers took full control in the third period, adding two more goals to their tally and shutting down the Giants’ offense. New signing Veeti Vainio scored his first goal for the Steelers, while Robert Dowd capped off a Gordie Howe hat trick with his own goal at 56:06, sealing a 5-2 victory for Sheffield. Patrick Watling’s two goals and an assist earned him Man of the Match honours, as the Steelers claimed two points and now lead the % table standings with a 0.88 points-percentage.
Next up, Sheffield hosts Eisbären Berlin in the Champions Hockey League—an event fans won’t want to miss.
First Period [1-2] – Giants Outshine Steelers in First Period, Take 2-1 Lead Despite Key Ejection
The Belfast Giants showcased a dominant first period against the Sheffield Steelers, taking a 2-1 lead into the second period after a relentless offensive display. The Giants fired an impressive 17 shots on Steelers’ netminder Matthew Greenfield, compared to just six shots from the Steelers, who also lost defenseman Kevin Tansey to an ejection for boarding early in the contest.
It didn’t take long for Belfast to strike, as Elijiah Barriga opened the scoring just 1:25 into the game. Barriga netted his first of two goals in the period with a sharp shot from the left-wing circle, sending the puck across Greenfield’s body and into the top corner. JJ Piccinich and Bo Hanson picked up assists on the goal, which set the tone for the Giants’ early control of the game.
The Steelers’ first real opportunity came from Daniel Ciampini, who found himself at the back post ready to finish a cross-zone pass from Mikko Juusola, but Giants goalie Tom McCollum was quick to move across his crease and deny the chance.
Shortly after, the Steelers suffered a setback as Kevin Tansey was ejected following a boarding incident with Belfast’s Ciaran Long. Long had halted close to the boards, and Tansey, unable to stop in time, was sent to the dressing room. The Steelers managed to kill off two minutes of the resulting five-minute major penalty before Barriga struck again. In a near-repeat of his first goal, Barriga beat Greenfield from almost the same spot on the ice, extending Belfast’s lead at 8:38. JJ Piccinich and Josh Roach assisted on the goal.
With the major over, Sheffield began to find their rhythm, testing McCollum with a shot from Sacha Guimond through traffic and an attempt from Janatuinen, which flew high over the crossbar. The Steelers finally broke onto the scoresheet at 16:26, as Patrick Watling, appearing to battle through shoulder pain, fired a shot from the left-wing circle. The puck just slipped past McCollum, with assists credited to Daniel Leavens and Mikko Juusola.
Mitchell Balmas nearly equalised for the Steelers just before the horn, racing down the ice after a pass from Watling and ringing a shot off the post. However, Sheffield would head into the intermission down by a goal, setting up an intriguing battle for the second period.
Second Period [3-2] – Steelers Storm Back in Second Period, Take Lead Over Giants
The Sheffield Steelers found their stride in a dominant second period, flipping the script to claim a 3-2 lead over the Belfast Giants heading into the final frame. With relentless pressure and smart playmaking, the Steelers clawed their way back, showcasing their resilience.
Steelers newcomer Veeti Vainio had an early chance to score on a loose puck but saw his slapshot deflect just over the bar. Moments later, Marco Vallerand was denied by Giants netminder Tom McCollum, who reacted swiftly to shut down the slot chance. At the other end, Steelers goalie Matthew Greenfield kept his team within reach, delivering a clutch left-pad save to prevent Belfast from extending their lead.
The Steelers’ momentum began to peak midway through the period, as Gabr Bast was penalised for holding Daniel Leavens, sending Sheffield to the power play. The Steelers wasted no time capitalising, circulating the puck quickly around the Giants’ zone. Sacha Guimond, fatigued from a long shift, took a pass at the blue line and unleashed a powerful shot that clanged in off McCollum’s left post at 32:03, levelling the score at 2-2. Mitchell Balmas and Marco Vallerand picked up the assists on the equalizer.
Not long after, tensions escalated as Belfast’s Bo Hanson dropped the gloves with Steelers captain Robert Dowd. Dowd handled the bout decisively, landing a few clean punches to bring Hanson to the ice at 33:49. The spirited fight seemed to give Sheffield an extra push, intensifying their offensive pressure as they pinned the Giants in their own zone.
The Steelers’ persistence paid off once more at 38:28. Patrick Watling, already on the scoreboard, notched his second of the night with a high shot from the left-wing circle, assisted by Mark Simpson. Watling’s shot sailed over McCollum’s left pad, giving the Steelers their first lead of the night as they headed confidently into the third period.
Third Period [5-2] – Steelers Surge to Victory with Five Unanswered Goals Against Giants
The Sheffield Steelers capped off a dominant performance with a 5-2 victory over the Belfast Giants, scoring five unanswered goals to secure a decisive win. Despite the lopsided scoreline, the game stats told a different story, as Steelers goalie Matthew Greenfield faced a heavy workload with 35 shots, earning an impressive 94.29% save rate in yet another stellar performance.
The Giants opened the third period by killing off a carryover penalty for too many men on the ice. Shortly after, Steelers forward Mikko Juusola had consecutive opportunities on goal, but Giants netminder Tom McCollum stood firm, making two solid pad saves at his near post to keep the Giants within reach.
Patrick Watling continued to be a gritty presence, blocking multiple shots in quick succession—one of which left him clutching his hand in pain. Unfazed, he bounced back to help defuse the Giants’ offensive push, setting the tone for the Steelers’ relentless defence.
The breakthrough for Sheffield came at 50:53 when new signing Veeti Vainio introduced himself in style, scoring his first goal for the team on his debut. Watling and captain Robert Dowd skilfully moved the puck around the Giants’ zone before Dowd set up Vainio at the blue line. Vainio’s wrister sliced through traffic and found its way past McCollum, sparking cheers from the home crowd.
Just minutes later, Robert Dowd completed a Gordie Howe hat trick with an assist, a goal, and his earlier fight. At 56:06, Dowd received a pass from Marco Vallerand, cut inside, and sent a pinpoint shot over McCollum’s shoulder for the Steelers’ fifth unanswered goal, sealing the victory and adding to his already impressive night.
The game’s standout, Patrick Watling, was named Man of the Match after recording two goals and an assist. With his teammates lifting him up at centre ice in a triumphant moment, it was clear Watling’s gritty, all-around effort had inspired the team and fans alike.
With this win, the Steelers climb to 14 points from eight games, leading the points-percentage standings at 0.88. Next, they turn their focus to the Champions Hockey League with an exciting matchup against Eisbären Berlin and the return of Liam Kirk on Wednesday night. Face-off is set for 7 p.m. — be sure not to miss it! We then entertain the Coventry Blaze next Saturday in our final Challenge Cup group stage encounter.
