10 Nov 2024, 16:00 | Regular season | Sheffield Arena |
Sheffield Steelers | 5-2 | Belfast Giants |
Periods: Shots: | 1-2 (6-17) | 2-0 (8-9) | 2-0 (4-9) | Total: 18-35 |
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Referees: Ansons(LAT)/Pering(UK) | Spectators: 8052 |
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Goals and assists
Sheffield Steelers came back from two goals down to beat Belfast
Giants 5-2 on Sunday evening, taking them second in the Elite League
standings.
It was the perfect start for the Giants who went ahead
inside 90 seconds to silence the Utilita Arena. Elijiah Barriga broke
clean through on Matt Greenfield and beat him high blocker side to open
the scoring at 1:25. A mistimed hit from Kevin Tansey resulted in him
being ejected for Boarding five minutes later, setting up the visitors
for a five-minute advantage. Barriga found that same top corner of
Greenfield’s net at 11:22 to double the visitors’ lead, but the Steelers
did survive the rest of the time without conceding.
A nothing play got the home side back into things. Daniel Leavens
dropped a pass off to Patrick Watling whose innocuous shot slipped
through Tom McCollum’s glove and into the net at 16:26.
Mitchell Balmas hit the post of McCollum’s net before the opening period was out.
McCollum did well to deny Marc-Olivier Vallerand after good set
up play involving Robert Dowd and Mikko Juusola. Juusola then almost
converted coast-to-coast but saw his shot saved, however the Steelers’
pressure did eventually see them equalise – Sasha Guimond shooting from
the point past an excellent Daniel Ciampini screen to tie the game at
32:03. Watling then put the Steelers ahead at 38:28 as McCollum
over-compensated on blocker side of his net, leaving the glove side
high open for Watling to snipe into.
Belfast started the final period strong, but without creating a
whole lot in front of Greenfield despite almost continuous puck
possession for the opening five or so minutes of the period. With 10
minutes to play, new Steelers signing Veeti Vainio let a shot fly from
the point that sailed into McCollum's net with Vallerand screening in
front. Just over five minutes later, Robert Dowd added a fifth for the
hosts to relax the crowd somewhat.