Steelers top cup as Storm get goals to qualify

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers booked number one seed in the Quarter-Finals of the Challenge Cup, and Manchester Storm scored the two goals they needed to advance, after a 4-2 Steelers win at IceSheffield.

An end to end opening period saw the Steelers come out ahead having created the better chances over the first 20 minutes. Mark Simpson gave the hosts the lead with 10:28 played, getting himself into a good position in the centre of the slot to fire past Alex Oldale. Loren Ulett levelled just under four minutes later with a tip on Zach Sullivan's shot from the point, but Brandon Whistle had the Steelers back ahead by 18:14 with his own tip on a Sam Jones shot.

Period two was much better for the Storm, who were level 91 seconds in through Santeri Haarala - the Finn getting a couple of bits at a loose puck that dropped to his feet in close. Cam Critchlow should have put the visitors ahead not long after but couldn't take the 1-on-0 chance, while at the other end Whistle went for an extra touch instead of shooting that cost him the Steelers' best chance of the middle frame.

Manchester stepped up a gear at the beginning of period three and created some chances to take the lead, and improve their seeding, but lacked the final touch to beat Anthony Morrone. At the other end of the ice, Alex Oldale continued to impressed on his first professional start with a string of saves to keep the game level. Storm's resistance was finally broken by a Brett Neumann shot from the wing at 48:40, with Dominic Cormier adding an insurance marker with 2:17 to play.

The two teams will meet in the Quarter-Finals.