Timely scoring helps Steelers past Stars

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers stayed 13 points ahead at the top of the Elite League with a  5-1 win over Dundee in front of 7,103 fans on Sunday afternoon.

The Steelers led by two after an opening 20 minutes that was perhaps more even then the scoreline suggested. Ryan Valentini's speed almost opened the scoring for the Stars inside the opening minute, but both teams created good offence in the opening phases. Mikko Juusola was credited with the home side's opener after a deflection off Elijah Vilio's skate, and then Tommy Parrottino's glove, took the puck past Kevin Carr at 8:46, but there was no mistaking Patrick Watling's finish - about as top shelf as you could wish for - at 15:07 off a Josh Nicholls pass on a 2-on-1 rush.

Just over 11 minutes into period two, Spencer Naas was the benefit of a looping puck over Matt Greenfield to bring Dundee back to within one at 31:31. The Stars had some good pressure and came close to levelling, but were caught out by an odd-man rush the other way on which Robert Dowd buried the pass from Nicholls to go back two ahead 3:31 before the period was over.

A Marc-Olivier Vallerand powerplay goal 67 seconds into period three, followed by Scott Allen scoring at 46:05, effectively wrapped up the game for the hosts with a little under 14 minutes to play.