Steelers extend lead at top of cup group

Photo: Dean Woolley

The Sheffield Steelers extended their lead at the top of Group C in the Premier Sports Challenge Cup with a two-goal win over the Manchester Storm in front of over 6,000 fans at the Utilita Arena.

The game was scoreless after 20 minutes despite some penalties on both teams but burst into life in period two.

Tanner Eberle opened the scoring at 25:04, followed by Marc_olivier Vallerand doubling the lead three minutes later. Finlay Ulrick got the Storm back to within one some four minutes later, but when Justin Hodgeman beat Matt Ginn at 33:37 the Steelers were back in control. A late powerplay goal from Eberle put the hosts 4-1 up after 40 minutes while Storm captain Dallas Ehrhardt sat for cross-checking

Travis Oleksuk's goal 80 seconds into period three looked to have sealed the points for the Steelers, but a late fightback from the Storm made the home fans nervous. Ben Wilson crashed home a rebound on a delayed penalty to make it 5-2 with 4:55 to play, and when Ehrhardt scored at 57:49 there was suddenly a game on again. The Steelers, however, were able to see out the final 2:11 to take the points.

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