In a dramatic final home league game of the season, the Sheffield Steelers edged out the Cardiff Devils 3-2 in a shootout at the Utilita Arena, keeping their Elite League title ambitions alive heading into the final weekend.
The opening period was a cagey affair, with both sides creating chances but unable to find the net until late. Cardiff struck first at 18:02 through Kohen Olischefski, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes despite a solid defensive effort from the Steelers.
The second period saw both teams trade goals. Evan Mosey doubled Cardiff’s advantage early on, poking in a rebound from close range. Sheffield responded at 29:08 as Patrick Watling expertly redirected a Colton Saucerman shot to make it 2-1. Despite a spirited push and a powerplay opportunity, the Steelers couldn’t find an equaliser before the break.
Sheffield found the breakthrough they needed early in the third, as Mitchell Balmas buried a rebound to tie the game 2-2 and ignite the home crowd. Both sides had golden opportunities to win it in regulation and overtime, but standout goaltending at both ends kept the score level.
In the shootout, Matthew Greenfield denied all four Cardiff attempts, while Juusola and Balmas converted for Sheffield. Greenfield sealed the victory with a blocker save on Tyler Busch, earning a crucial extra point and keeping the Steelers just one point behind league leaders Belfast Giants heading into the final day.
First Period [0-1] – Devils Edge Steelers in Cagey First Period at the Utilita
In front of a packed out Utilita Arena, the Sheffield Steelers were left trailing 1-0 after the opening period of their final home league game of the season, as the Cardiff Devils grabbed a late goal to take the early edge at the Utilita Arena.
With just two games remaining and one point separating Sheffield from league leaders Belfast Giants, the pressure was palpable from the opening faceoff. The Steelers welcomed Finlay Ulrick back into the lineup, centring the fourth line alongside Kevin Tansey and Cole Shudra, while Reece Kelly sat out.
The visitors held a 9-8 advantage in shots and struck the only blow late in the period. The Devils went on the powerplay just 1:51 in as Joona Huttula was called for tripping, but the Steelers killed it off without much threat.
Moments after returning to full strength, Ben Davies had Cardiff’s first real look from the slot, only for Matthew Greenfield to hold firm. At the other end, Marco Vallerand impressed with smart puck protection in both zones, helping relieve pressure and create space.
Midway through the period, Sam Tremblay and Patrick Watling combined on a fast break, but Watling’s shot missed just wide of Ben Bowns’ glove side.
The Steelers had a chance of their own on the man advantage at 13:04, when Kohen Olischefski was penalised for tripping Mikko Juusola. Ironically, the Devils nearly scored moments before the call, as Olischefski was left alone at the back post, only for Greenfield, with help from a sprawling Juusola, to somehow deny him.
Sheffield’s powerplay produced only a couple of half chances, including efforts from Colton Saucerman at the blue line and Kevin Tansey testing Bowns low just after Cardiff returned to full strength.
Cardiff finally broke through at 18:02, as Tyler Busch fed Olischefski in the slot, who showed composure to beat Greenfield blocker side with a well-placed finish.
The period ended with the Steelers on the powerplay, as Ryan Barrow was sent to the box for slashing after repeated jabs at Vallerand.
Second Period [1-2] – Trading Blows in the Second: Steelers Stay Within One After Spirited FrameTop of Form
The Steelers and Devils traded goals in a lively second period, but it was the visitors who headed into the final frame holding a narrow 2-1 advantage in this crucial penultimate clash of the league campaign.
Carrying over a powerplay from the dying moments of the first period, the Steelers began the second on the front foot, but the Devils killed it off with little drama. Brandon Whistle looked to spark Sheffield early, working hard behind the Cardiff net before cutting out in front, only to see his shot slide wide of the far post.
The Devils doubled their lead at 24:05, when Evan Mosey pounced on a loose puck in the blue paint, nudging it past Matthew Greenfield after the initial effort from Brett Perlini couldn’t be held onto.
But the Steelers hit back just shy of the half-hour mark. At 29:08, Patrick Watling parked himself in front of Ben Bowns and delivered a textbook redirect, expertly tipping a Colton Saucerman blast through the five-hole to bring the home side back within one.
Galvanised by the goal, the Steelers began to tilt the ice. Kevin Tansey carved out a chance down the left wing before Brien Diffley found space in the slot moments later. Watling came close again with another slick tip-in play, but Bowns was sharp to it, covering up before the puck could rebound free.
At 34:19, Cardiff’s Andrew MacWilliam was whistled for interference on Tansey near the Sheffield blue line. The Steelers moved the puck well on the ensuing powerplay but were kept to the perimeter by a disciplined Devils PK unit, unable to carve out the clear opening they were hunting for.
Despite a strong push from the Steelers, the Devils held on to their 2-1 lead through 40 minutes, setting up a dramatic third period in a game with major implications for the title race.
Third Period, Overtime & Penalties [3-2 (pens)] – Steelers Win Shootout Thriller to Keep Title Hopes Alive
The Steelers kept their Elite League title dreams alive with a nail-biting shootout win over the Devils, thanks to a third-period equaliser from Mitchell Balmas and some shootout heroics at both ends of the ice.
Trailing 2-1 heading into the final frame, the Steelers needed a spark and got it at 43:11. After Joona Huttula forced a sharp leg save from Ben Bowns, the rebound landed perfectly in the slot for Balmas, who didn’t hesitate to rip a one-timer home to level the game and ignite the home crowd at the Utilita Arena.
Chances came thick and fast from both sides as the intensity ramped up. Matt Greenfield stood tall in the Steelers’ net, producing a superb double save from close range; first with the blocker, then a quick reaction stop on the rebound to deny the Devils a response. At the other end, Kevin Tansey unleashed a booming slapshot, but Bowns held firm.
Both netminders continued to put on a show, trading big stops as the clock ticked down. Greenfield came up big again late on, saving low through traffic, before Robert Dowd nearly stole it for Sheffield with a one-time rocket that Bowns managed to smother.
With nothing to separate the sides after regulation, the game moved to overtime, where it remained a tense, end-to-end affair. The Devils rang one off the iron, while Patrick Watling came inches from winning it with a blistering one-timer from the left circle—an effort Alex Ovechkin himself would have been proud of—but Bowns wouldn’t be beaten again.
In the shootout, it was Greenfield’s moment to shine. The Steelers netminder denied all four Cardiff attempts, while Mikko Juusola and Mitchell Balmas coolly converted their chances. Greenfield sealed it with a blocker save on Tyler Busch, securing the extra point and a dramatic two-point night for the Steelers.
Balmas was awarded Man of the Match, celebrating in style with a bit of net “weightlifting” for his post-game “Eddy.” With Belfast Giants also picking up a win against Nottingham, they remained one point clear at the top of the table. The league title now hinges on the final night of the season. The Steelers need a win over Coventry Blaze in the hope that the Nottingham Panthers can take at least a point off Belfast to swing the trophy race back in our favour.
With Steelers match report
