Dowd hits 700 points, Greenfield logs shutout in Dundee

Photo: Derek Black

Sheffield Steelers increased their lead at the top of the Elite League with a five-goal shutout win over Dundee Stars.

Dundee started well and had a handful of chances to open the scoring - calling Matt Greenfield into a string of four quick saves as the put pressure on early. Ryan Valentini couldn't find Brendan Harms across the crease as another chance went begging before things came back to bite the hosts - Brett Neumann's pass into the slot found Patrick Watling who beat Kevin Carr with a high wrist shot with 67 seconds left in the period. 

That goal lifted the visitors who came out and dominated the middle period. Dominic Cormier doubled the Steelers' lead with a shot from the point that went through a crowd of players and into the net 72 seconds into the period, before Daniel Ciampini's tip off a Niklas Nevalainen shot made it 3-0 at 29:14. Robert Dowd then notched his 700th Elite League point with a finish in front at 33:57. Sean Allen and Colton Saucerman dropped the gloves earlier in the period and were given fighting majors each.

Dundee gave Lucas Brine the net for period three, although he was beaten 2:15 into the third with a short-side shot. That was the end of the scoring as Dundee couldn't get on the board, and Greenfield logged a 29-shot shutout.