Steelers come back from two down for OT win

Photo: Dean Woolley

6,380 fans saw a thoroughly entertaining game at the Utilita Arena Sheffield live on Premier Sports as the Sheffield Steelers ran out 5-4 winners over Cardiff in overtime.

A very physical opening period saw just the one goal that separated the teams after 20 minutes. Having let one powerplay opportunity go earlier in the period, the Devils made full use of their second chance when an excellent long pass from goalie Mac Carruth found Justin Crandall on the far blueline, and he, in turn, set up Brodie Reid for the slapshot at 17:12 for the opening goal.

Sheffield came flying out of the blocks in period two and were in front inside four minutes. Brendan Connolly's shot deflected past Carruth off a Devils defenseman from close range to tie the scores just 1:58 into the period, and under two minutes later Jonathan Phillips selflessly set up Evan Mosey for an open-net.

The hosts' momentum was cut under a minute later with the Steelers caught up ice - a long pass from Justin Crandall setting up Reid for the breakaway goal with only 24:28 on the clock. finish at 23:42 following good work from Connolly to turn the puck over.

Cardiff made good use of another powerplay opportunity five minutes later as Stephen Dixon pounced on a rebound from Reid's shot and put the Devils back ahead, and the visitors were to kill off two penalties of their own before the period was over to stay ahead.

Reid made it a hat trick 3:38 into period three, set up by Josh Waller, shooting through Stojanovič's five-hole from an angle to give the Devils a two-goal cushion. The Steelers were back to within one late on though thanks to Martin Latál's rocket shot at 53:46, and then tied the game when Latál's shot was poked home by John Armstrong in front with 2:42 to play.

The game was to be decided in overtime and saw chances at both ends with both Carruth and Stojanovič pulling off excellent saves to keep the game alive. The Steelers won it on a 2-on-1 with Mosey getting the game-winner off a perfect feed from Latál.

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