Game Summary
The Sheffield Steelers completed a successful four-point weekend with a hard-fought victory over the Guildford Flames, winning 3-1 in Challenge Cup action after a strong performance the previous night. The Steelers took an early lead in the first period through a goal from Mitchell Balmas, who fired home at 11:42 to score the team’s 2,200th away goal in EIHL history. Despite the Flames’ pressure, goaltender Matthew Greenfield kept them at bay, helping the Steelers maintain their slim advantage heading into the second period.
In the second frame, the Steelers surged ahead with back-to-back goals. Robert Dowd added to his remarkable scoring form, netting the team’s second goal at 24:13, followed quickly by a tip-in goal from Daniel Leavens, extending the lead to three. The Flames fought back, cutting the deficit to two with a goal by Jack Jacome after a scramble in front of Greenfield’s net. However, Greenfield and the Steelers’ defence remained resilient, holding off the Flames’ attack.
The third period saw no further scoring as the Steelers battled fatigue to protect their lead. The Flames pulled their netminder in the final minutes, but the Steelers’ defence, combined with Greenfield’s 26-save performance, secured the 3-1 win. Daniel Leavens was named Man of the Match for his standout play, capping off a weekend where the Steelers celebrated both on the ice and with Robert Dowd moving to the top of the EIHL points table.
The Steelers now look ahead to their mid-week match against the Dundee Stars on Wednesday night.
First Period [0-1] – Steelers Edge Flames with Early Balmas Goal, Hold Off Guildford Pressure
After a hard-fought victory over the Glasgow Clan the previous evening, the Sheffield Steelers were quickly back in Challenge Cup action, facing the Guildford Flames on the road. The Steelers aimed to carry over their consistent Champions Hockey League form into domestic play.
The first period was largely positive for the Steelers, who secured an early lead with a well-executed goal from Mitchell Balmas. Balmas, who had just celebrated his 100th point for the club the night before, found the back of the net at 11:42, marking the 2,200th away goal for the Steelers in all EIHL competitions. Positioned in the Flames’ slot, Balmas took his time to pick his spot, firing the puck over the blocker of Guildford’s netminder, Eamon McAdam. Mark Simpson awarded with the assist in finding Balmas on the play.
Despite the Steelers’ early lead, Guildford created several dangerous opportunities, outshooting the visitors 11-9 by the end of the first period. McAdam was also penalised for tripping Joel Janatuinen as the Finnish forward drove towards the crease. Though the Steelers moved the puck quickly during the ensuing power play, they were unable to convert, with notable attempts coming from Saucerman on the blue line.
On the defensive end, Steelers goaltender Matthew Greenfield faced a barrage of Flames pressure between the 12th and 14th minutes. However, the team managed to weather the storm, withstanding the Flames’ sustained attack.
Late in the period, the Steelers nearly doubled their lead when Whistle redirected a shot from the blue line, wrong-footing McAdam, only for the puck to slide just wide of the post. Shortly after, Daniel Leavens came close to creating a perfect chance, but Flames defenseman Crocock made a crucial play, extending his stick from the ice to deflect the puck away at the last second.
The Steelers entered the second period with a narrow one-goal lead but were keen to limit Guildford’s chances moving forward.
Second Period [1-3] – Steelers Surge to Three-Goal Lead Before Flames Fight Back in Second Period
After a high-energy first period, the second period began at a slower pace as both teams looked to regain their momentum. However, the Steelers soon found their spark, lighting the goal buzzer twice in quick succession to extend their lead to three. The Guildford Flames responded by cutting the lead back to two just before the halfway point.
The Steelers’ captain, Robert Dowd, after making history on home ice last night once again got himself on the scoresheet by scoring the team’s second goal of the night at 24:13. After receiving a well-placed pass from Mikko Juusola, Dowd controlled the puck on his backhand and slipped it between Flames netminder Eamon McAdam’s right pad and blocker. This goal further solidifying Dowd’s position at the top of the EIHL points scoring table.
Just two minutes later, the Steelers extended their lead to three. Kevin Tansey worked hard to keep the puck alive in the offensive zone and sent a shot/pass toward Daniel Leavens, who tipped the puck perfectly over McAdam’s shoulder at 25:58, putting the Steelers firmly in control.
Despite the Steelers’ dominance, Guildford pulled one back against the run of play at 29:33. A two-on-one break for the Flames resulted in Josh Waller’s initial shot being saved by Steelers goaltender Matthew Greenfield, but Jack Jacome found the loose puck in the ensuing scramble and poked it across the line. Greenfield protested, believing he had been impeded, but after a video review, the goal was confirmed.
The Steelers nearly restored their three-goal lead when Sacha Guimond unleashed a powerful shot after good work at the Flames’ blue line by Janatuinen, only for McAdam to make a spectacular glove save. Guimond then found himself in the penalty box for interference, but the Steelers’ penalty kill unit stood strong, limiting the Flames’ chances.
As the period wound down, the Steelers earned a power play of their own when Daniel Catenacci was called for tripping Cole Shudra. Despite moving the puck fluidly in the Flames’ zone, the Steelers couldn’t convert, ending the second period with a two-goal advantage heading into the final frame.
Third Period [1-3] – Steelers Grit Out Third Period to Secure Four-Point Weekend
The third and final period turned into a stalemate as the Sheffield Steelers dug deep to fend off the Guildford Flames and secure a four-point weekend across both League and Challenge Cup action. Despite fatigue setting in, the Steelers’ efforts paid off as they saw out the final 20 minutes and held on to their lead.
In the end, the Steelers narrowly edged the Flames in shots, leading 28-27. Matthew Greenfield, once again stellar between the pipes, made 26 saves for a remarkable 96.30% save percentage. Flames goaltender Eamon McAdam, despite an 89.29% save percentage, deserved credit for keeping his team within reach throughout the contest.
The Steelers still had scoring chances in the third period but often passed up opportunities by searching for the perfect play instead of testing McAdam directly. One prime example came when Mikko Juusola was set up by Mark Simpson on a breakaway. Rather than shooting, Juusola attempted to pass the puck back to Simpson, allowing Flames’ defensemen to recover and break up the play.
Tensions rose in the final minutes as Joel Janatuinen was sent to the box for high sticking in the 58th minute, giving Guildford a golden opportunity with a 6-on-4 advantage after they pulled McAdam for the extra skater. However, the Steelers’ tireless defence held firm, preventing the Flames from generating any clean chances and even launching several attempts at the empty net from 200 feet, though none found the mark.
Daniel Leavens was named Man of the Match for the Steelers after an impressive performance. It was a fitting end to a successful weekend for Sheffield, who also celebrated Robert Dowd’s rise to the top of the EIHL points table and their continued progress in the Champions Hockey League.
The Steelers will now shift their focus to their mid-week clash against the Dundee Stars on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m., where they’ll look to carry their momentum forward.
📸 John Uwins