Steelers into first finals weekend since 2018

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers qualified for their first Viaplay Playoff Finals Weekend since 2018 thanks to a 5-2 home win over Manchester Storm, completing a 7-4 aggregate win in front of 7,651 spectators at the Utilita Arena.

Manchester couldn't have asked for a better start as they got themselves ahead early. While Brandon McNally sat a tripping minor, Anthony DeLuca fired home from his favourite spot on the ice to put Storm ahead at 3:09. The visitors' lead lasted just over four minutes until Scott Allen was set up in the slot to put the puck home from close range at 7:10. The Steelers made full use of a Zac Herrmann hooking minor when the puck bounced out to Brett Neumann for a finish in close at 12:33.

Having had a bad start to the first period, the Steelers had an excellent one to period two. Martin Látal put the hosts 3-1 up with a powerplay tip past Brodeur at 28:24, and despite Storm having chances they were unable to find a way past Greenfield at the other end. With 3:59 left in period two, Danny Kristo controlled the puck nicely off a Tomáš Pitule pass to score in front and make it 4-1. 

A rebound deflected off Cole Carter's skate to bring Storm back to within two 5:39 into period three, but Danny Kristo's second of the game a little under three minutes later put the hosts back three ahead.

The Steelers rode out the final 10 minutes without much difficulty, as captain Jonathan Phillips celebrated his last ever game in Sheffield with an emotional man of the match award. He will play two more games before his retirement.