Giants shut out Steelers in Sheffield

Photo: Dean Woolley

Belfast Giants blanked Sheffield Steelers 4-0 in front of over 6,000 fans at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

After an end-to-end start, it was the Steelers who got the game's first powerplay but the hosts were unable to beat Tyler Beskorowany. When Robert Dowd was binned for hooking at 13:11, the Giants made full use of their extra man with Matt Mcleo getting on a loose puck in front to open the scoring at 14:42.  At the other end, Jonathan Phillips had the best chance to level for the Steelers but shot a split second too late.

Belfast doubled their advantage 10:31 into period two when his shot from the point went through a crowd of players to beat an unsighted Matt Greenfield. The Steelers had the better of the latter half of the period - Martin Látal not hitting the target on a powerplay from point-blank range - but were grateful to an excellent Greenfield pad save to stop will Cullen from scoring 1-on-0 after he exited the penalty box.

Marc-Olivier Vallerand was assessed a major penalty for a check to the head with 14 minutes to play for a needless hit which put his side short. While Grant Cooper was binned for the Giants 58 seconds later, the Giants did make use of their extra man at 49:44 with Scott Conway redirecting Gabe Bast's shot Greenfield. The hosts couldn't find a way back into the game, and the final nail in their coffin was a Mark Cooper empty-net goal with 14 seconds to play. 

The result leaves the Steelers seven points off top spot in the Viaplay Elite League.