Steelers' late show takes two points against Clan

Photo: Dean Woolley

The Sheffield Steelers moved six points clear at the top of the Premier Sports Elite League table thanks to two late goals which rescued them the two points against a battling Glasgow Clan side on Wednesday night.

Sheffield took the first period by a single when penalties against the Clan finally took their toll. Skating 5-on-3, Martin Látal finished nicely on his backhand from the top of the crease off a good pass fro Matias Sointu.

The middle period was much better for the Clan who got themselves level going into the final 20 minutes of the game. After creating a couple of half looks, the Clan were rewarded for their persistence when Nolan LaPorte reacted first to the rebound from Colin Campbell's shot to tie the scores at 35:35.

All square going into period three, Clan shocked the Utilita Arena when they took the lead at 46:16 thanks to Laporte's second close-range rebound finish of the game - the goal coming after the Steelers had just finished killing a penalty of Matias Sointu. Brock Beukeboom had the chance to extend that lead but shot wide when through 1-on-0 on Stojanovič.

With Stojanovič pulled for the extra attacker, Clan did manage to get the puck out of their zone and looked to have just one more Steelers attack to ride out. However, after the Steelers hit the side netting, the puck eventually fell to Látal open on the off side to shoot high past Starrett.

In overtime, the Steelers won the opening draw and kept hold of the puck with Látal eventually working it to John Armstrong whose big shot form the blueline went through a screen and into the net to give the Steelers the OT win.

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