Steelers thrash Storm, extend lead at top

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers put nine goals past Manchester Storm in front of 8,120 fans at the Utilita Arena on Saturday night, and thanks to results elsewhere extended their lead at the top of the Elite League to six points.

It was a baptism of fire for new Storm goalie Logan Flodell who was beaten four times in the opening period - a goal each from Marc-Olivier Vallerand, Dominic Cormier, Robert Dowd and Daniel Ciampini over a nine-minute spell to put the home side in total control. 

Alex Oldale was put in net for the Storm for period two onwards, but he was beaten just 2:56 into the middle frame by Kevin Tansey. Zack Phillips pulled a goal back for the Storm at 26:13, but Brett Neumann and Brian Diffley struck just under three minutes apart to make it 7-1. 

Loren Ulett netted two in the third to put three on the board for Manchester, but the Steelers weren't done and had goals from Patrick Watling and Mark Simpson to bring them up to nine - all with a different scorer.

The sides will meet again on New Year's Day.