Steelers survive Storm Shelter test

Photo: Mark Ferris

Sheffield Steelers gave up a three-goal lead but came through to beat Manchester Storm 6-3 in Challenge cup action at a near sold-out Storm Shelter.

Sheffield had the early lead, going ahead inside six minutes. With Stephen Johnson in the box for Tripping, Kevin Tansey hit the powerplay goal to put the visitors ahead. Johnny Corneil had an excellent chance to level the scores shortly after, but fell at the crucial moment as the Steelers ended the period one ahead.

Storm were caught out by a Josh Nicholls finish through a screen 92 seconds into period two to put the visitors two up, and then a Loren Ulett Charging major allowed Colton Saucerman to fire home at 28:37 for the three-goal lead. Two quick penalties on the Steelers gave Storm a 5-on-3 to get themselves on the board, and they obliged - Joe Morrow worked the puck wide a couple of times to get himself into a shooting position and fired past Anthony Morrone at 33:38 to open the home side's account. 38 seconds later, Corneil scored in close to make it a one-goal game. 

Early in period three, Tyler Hinam was allowed to skate towards the net with no cover and deked Morrone before finishing at the far post to tie the game at 42:07. Having tied things up and then a Sam Jones minor putting the Steelers a player short, the Storm were their own worst enemies. A turnover on the blueline as Storm held the zone allowed Marc-Olivier Vallerand to skate 2-on-1 and fire past Evan Weninger to put the visitors back ahead with 52:02 played. Mark Simpson scored on another odd-man rush, off a Mikko Juusola pass, with 56:01 played to give the Steelers a two-goal advantage back.

Vallerand had the empty net goal inside the final minute to round off the win with Weninger pulled.