Fantastic Support for the Steelers in Manchester
Steelers were met with incredible support when skating out on to the ice against the Manchester Storm in Challenge Cup action, a sold out rink with Orange the predominant colour.
Anthony Morrone had the start though Matt Greenfield dressed for warm up as the whole squad skated out as one pre game.
It was an incredible performance by the Steelers from the first shift to the last as they dominated play for the vast major of the game
Goals from Patrick Watling, Robert Dowd, Marco Vallerand and Daniel Ciampini secured another 2 points and a 100% record in the Challenge Cup.
In the First …
Steelers dominated the opening period creating chances from the first shift
Patrick Watling went close with a backhand chance and then set up Josh Nicholls on a two-on-one areaway moments later.
Mitchell Balmas was the next to force a save out of Weninger in the Storm net
Messrs Whistle Kielly and Simpson dominated on one shift with all three players going close as Manchester tried to weather the Storm.
08.07 – and Steelers make the pressure count when Kevin Tansey assisted on a great finish from Patrick Watling as he went high to open the scoring.
Storm had a power-play at 10.05 with Ciampini off for hooking, Steelers killed and killed well.
Brett Neumann set up Mark Simpson on an odd man rush but again the Steelers couldn’t extend their lead.
Dowdy thought he had cored moments later as he burst through the middle only for Weninger to pull off another big stop.
Steelers power-play at 16.35 when Johnny Corneil took a 2 minute minor for interference – Steelers had their chances but the score remained 0-1
Ciampini and Ehrhardt clashed and both took 2 each at 17.47
Moments after they both returned to the ice the Storm equalised against the run of play when Mitchell Martin netted from close range
End of the first period. Manchester Storm 1-1 Steelers
In the Second …
Manchester came out with more fire at the start of the middle session with Anthony Morrone making a huge pad save to keep the scores level
The the old one two punch of Dowd and Vallerand then struck for Steelers with Dowdy firing home at 22.17 for a 2-1 advantage
Steelers on the power-play at 25.06 when Stephen Johnson took 2 minutes for roughing
On the resulting power-play Watling went close, Saucerman rang one off the cross bar before Vallerand found the back of the net assisted Balmas at 27.01 – Streelers led 3-1
Corneil sat another 2 minutes out for hooking but Steelers couldn’t extend their lead any further.
Weninger denied Dowdy when he looked odds on to make it 4-1 moments later
End of the second period: Storm 1-3 Steelers
In the Third
Storm came out looking to get back into the game and playing physical – Steelers responded with speed and skill and a huge Kevin Tansey hit
It was end to end with every shift a scoring chance, Weninger and Morrone were putting on a show
With 7.28 remaining Daniel Ciampini took a minor for holding and a slim ray of hope for the Storm should they convert on the PP, they didn’t as Steelers dug in and killed well.
At 54.48 the game was put to bed when Ciampini, moments after returning to the ice fired home for the 4-1 scoreline with the impressive Watling assisting.
There was still time for a bit of afters with Vallerand and Dowdy in the middle of things
Steelers had more chances before the game ended but the cheer the team received at the final hooter was something outstanding as several hundred Steelers fans raised the roof after a 4-1 victory
Steelers Back at Home on Sunday
We hope you will join us on our Steelers return home on Sunday against Coventry Blaze
Steelers Vs. Coventry Blaze
Sunday 12th November
Face Off 4.00pm
Doors Open 2.30pm
Tickets … “HERE”
