Steelers survive late Stars fightback for road win

Photo: Derek Black

Sheffield Steelers stayed clear at the top of the Elite Ice Hockey League with a XXX victory over Dundee Stars in Scotland.

Cole Shudra had the opening goal 2:42 into the game with a goal that went to review but was confirmed. Patrick Watling snuck a shot through Kevin Carr some six minutes later to double that lead, with Brett Neumann sending an excellent one-timer from the far post crashing into Carr's net with 3:51 left in the opening period.

A fluke play saw a Colton Saucerman swing cause the puck to loop up over Carr and land in the Stars net 1:55 into period two to put the Steelers in total control. Matt Greenfield was, however, the difference between a 4-0 and a 4-1 or indeed a 4-2 lead for the visitors with a handful of excellent saves to stop the Stars getting on the board as the period drew on.

While Spencer Naas gave Dundee some hope with a goal 58 seconds into period three, that was pretty much extinguished by Mitchell Balmas replying 17 seconds later to put the Steelers 5-1 ahead. 

However, Dundee hit two goals in the space of 27 seconds to make for an interesting final nine or so minutes. Brent Beaudoin snuck the puck through Greenfield at the far post at 50:53 to make it 2-5, with Ryan Valentini neatly finishing a rebound from a Brendan Harms shot at 51:20 to make it a two-goal game. Cole Shudra slotted home off a Mark Simpson pass on an odd-man rush to put the game to bed with 4:30 to go, although the Stars kept battling and pulled the score back to 4-6 wit h1:55 to play. A late 6-on-5 couldn't bring them closer, and the Steelers took the points.