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Sheffield Steelers logged a four-point haul on retro weekend with a 4-3 win over Cardiff Devils, keeping up the pressure on league leaders Belfast Giants.
For the majority of the opening ten minutes the score remained level. The Steelers had the best chance to open the scoring when a scramble in front of the Devils net presented Veeti Vainio with what looked a certain goal – only for an excellent pad-stack save from Ben Bowns to deny him.
The home side did go ahead though shortly after. Colton Saucerman’s stretch pass found Marc-Olivier Vallerand who was able to go through on Bowns, and while the British goalie made the save it was Saucerman who was on hand to put the rebound home at 9:11.
Mitchell Balmas had a good chance to double the lead, while Ben Almqvist came close to tying the game, before the period was out.
The Steelers needed just 27 seconds to go two up in the second. Mikko Juusola was the beneficiary at the far post after an errand Kevin Tansey shot took a fortunate bounce to end up on Mitchell Balmas’ stick.
Zach O’Brien tipped Cody Donaghey’s shot past Matt Greenfield at 30:55 to bring the Devils back to within one. However, less than two minutes later Bowns never had the puck covered from Vallerand’s shot and Patrick Watling was able to knock the loose puck over the line. Cardiff challenged the play, and took a bench minor for an Incorrect Coach’s Challenge.
The Steelers took two minors in a row to end the period, and that led to a Joey Martin shot through traffic bringing them back to within one 92 seconds form the buzzer.
An Evan Mosey interception prevented Vallerand having the puck with only Bowns to beat early in period three. The Devils began to take over the puck possession, however, although without working Greenfield into any serious saves.
From one end to the other, the game was decided. Matt Greenfield made a big save as the puck broke for Cody Donaghey who could only shoot directly at him. The Steelers broke down the other end, and had Kevin Tansey get on the end of Vallerand’s pass and shoot beyond Bowns to put the Steelers two up with 2:45 to play.
Bowns was pulled with approximately 80 seconds to go, with Greenfield denying O’Brien on a decent chance for the visitors. With 14 seconds to play, Cole Sanford got on a loose puck around the Steelers’ goalie to make it 4-3 and set up an exciting final play. The Devils won the draw, but couldn’t set up for a good shot on Greenfield. Daniel Ciampini got the puck clear to secure two points for the hosts.
With EIHL match report
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