Steelers snap home losing streak

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers ended a two-game losing run at the Utilita Arena with a 4-2 win over Manchester Storm on Sunday afternoon in front of over 7,000 spectators.

In the second of a two-game home weekend, the Steelers played a tight opening period against a Manchester team coming in off the back of a home win over Dundee the previous evening. It took until 15:38 for the deadlock to be broken through Brandon Whistle to put the hosts ahead.

The British forward then doubled the Steelers' lead 3:47 into period two, but at 25:25 former Steeler Anthony DeLuca pulled the Storm back to within one. Steelers Head Coach Aaron Fox challenged Goaltender Interference on the play, but the goal was upheld after video review, and the Steelers given a bench minor. 

Robert Dowd scored a candidate for goal of the season with a beautiful solo effort that saw him beat one defenseman, deke two, and slot past Jeremy Brodeur to put Sheffield back two ahead at 30:24.

Liam Blackburn got Storm back to just one behind with 68 seconds played in period three, but the puck falling to Brett Neumann to slap home at 44:29 put the Steelers two ahead again from where they hold on for the win.