Game Summary
In a game that saw momentum swing back and forth, the Sheffield Steelers finished strong to claim a convincing 6-2 win over the Dundee Stars.
The first period was action-packed, with the Steelers taking the lead twice only for the Stars to battle back and tie the game each time. Brandon Whistle and Marco Vallerand both found the net for Sheffield, but Dundee responded through Jake Elmer and Brendan Harms, leaving the score level at 2-2 heading into the second period.
The second frame was a goaltending duel, with both Jarrett Fiske for Dundee and Matthew Greenfield for Sheffield making big saves to keep the game tied. Despite several chances at both ends, neither team could find the go-ahead goal, and the score remained deadlocked after 40 minutes.
The final period, however, belonged to the Steelers. Mitchell Balmas broke the tie with a breakaway goal at 50:42, and from there, Sheffield took control as Dundee began to tire. Mikko Juusola added two late goals, one into an empty net, before Colton Saucerman sealed the win with a blistering slapshot from the blue line.
With the 6-2 victory, the Steelers secured a four-point weekend and now turn their attention to a Champions Hockey League clash against ZSC Lions Zurich on Tuesday.
First Period [2-2] – Steelers Struggle to Hold Lead as Stars Fight Back Twice to Level the Game
In a thrilling first period, the Sheffield Steelers twice took the lead, only for the Dundee Stars to respond both times, leaving the game tied heading into the second period.
The Stars started strong, testing Steelers’ netminder Matthew Greenfield from the opening shift. Greenfield was called upon early, turning away a backhanded attempt and seeing his ironwork tested shortly afterwards. The pressure continued at several points throughout the period, with Greenfield facing 18 shots in the opening period compared to the Steelers’ nine on Stars goalie Jarrett Fiske.
Despite Dundee’s early dominance, it was the Steelers who opened the scoring at 7:16. Brandon Whistle positioned himself in front of Jarrett Fiske, tipping in a floated puck from Kevin Tansey at the blue line to give the visitors the lead.
The advantage didn’t last long. At 11:28, Dundee struck back. Jake Elmer calmly controlled a backhand feed at the Steelers goal crease from Drydn Dow before cutting across Greenfield and burying the puck into an open net to bring the game level.
The Steelers quickly responded, regaining the lead at 13:52. Marco Vallerand flew into the zone, taking a pass from Mikko Juusola, and rifled a shot over Fiske’s right shoulder, making it 2-1.
But the Stars refused to go away. Just moments later, at 15:10, Brendan Harms tied the game again. Straight from a face-off in the Steelers’ zone, Harms fired a shot that beat an unsighted Greenfield over his glove.
The fast-paced, back-and-forth action continued for the remainder of the period, but neither side was able to break the deadlock before the first intermission. Both teams would head into the second period on level terms, setting the stage for what promised to be a gripping contest.
Second Period [2-2] – Goaltenders Shine as Steelers and Stars Remain Deadlocked After Two Periods
Despite a frenetic second period filled with chances at both ends, neither the Sheffield Steelers nor the Dundee Stars could break the deadlock, with the score still tied heading into the final 20 minutes of play. Both netminders, Jarrett Fiske for Dundee and Matthew Greenfield for Sheffield, put on stellar performances, keeping their teams in the game.
Fiske was particularly impressive, making a series of highlight-reel saves during the middle portion of the period as the Steelers ramped up the pressure. He delivered back-to-back stops, including a double save that denied Sheffield during a key stretch. The Steelers, who had been behind in shot count early on, closed the gap to 25-24 as they piled on the attempts but couldn’t find a way past Fiske.
At the other end, Greenfield was equally sharp, frustrating Dundee’s offense. He made consecutive saves on Keanu Yamamoto from close range, expertly positioning himself to leave the forward with no room to shoot. Greenfield also robbed former Steelers player Kameron Kielly in the slot, flashing his glove just in time to snatch away what looked like a certain goal, leaving Kielly staring skyward in disbelief.
The game remained a disciplined affair, with neither team committing a single penalty through the first two periods. Although there was some tension at the buzzer, as a few words were exchanged, the contest has stayed clean so far.
With everything still to play for, both teams would head into the final period looking to secure those all-important early-season points.
Third Period [2-6] – Steelers Dominate Final Period to Secure Convincing Win Over Stars
A dominant final ten minutes saw the Sheffield Steelers pull away to claim a comfortable victory over the Dundee Stars, following what had been a tightly contested battle up until the latter stages.
Daniel Leavens set the tone early in the third period for the Steelers, nearly breaking the deadlock with a backhanded shot that clipped the top of Jarrett Fiske’s crossbar after a slick move past the Stars’ defence. The Steelers kept the pressure on, with Robert Dowd getting a tip on a shot, but it was Dundee’s Tsekos who nearly turned the tide. Breaking in one-on-one against Matthew Greenfield, Tsekos was shut down thanks to a brilliant recovery from Brien Diffley, who closed the gap and helped defuse the threat.
The breakthrough for the Steelers came at 50:42. A Dundee attack quickly turned into a counter for Sheffield as Dowd sent Mitchell Balmas in on a breakaway. Balmas made no mistake, picking his spot above Fiske’s blocker with pinpoint precision to give the Steelers a 3-2 lead.
From that moment, the Steelers took complete control as Dundee began to tire. At 56:13, Mikko Juusola extended the lead with a brilliant individual effort. Picking up the puck at the face-off dot from a Kevin Tansey feed, Juusola used his speed to breeze past the defence before switching from backhand to forehand and lifting the puck above Fiske’s blocker.
With Fiske pulled for the extra skater, the Steelers added a fifth goal at 58:47. Juusola struck again, netting his second of the night into the empty cage, with Daniel Ciampini credited with the assist. But the Steelers weren’t done yet. At 59:31, Colton Saucerman capped off the night with a thunderous slapshot from the blue line, leaving Fiske, who had played admirably throughout, with no chance.
Mitchell Balmas being awarded with the Man of the Match honour for his game-winning effort in the third period.
With the 6-2 victory, the Steelers secured a four-point weekend and now shift their focus to a Champions Hockey League clash against ZSC Lions Zurich in Switzerland on Tuesday evening.
📸 Derek Black | Dundee Stars