Steelers cruise into 2024 Challenge Cup Final

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers advanced to the 2024 Challenge Cup Final with a 10-1 aggregate win over Coventry Blaze, qualifying for the final of a competition they won in 2020 - their last trophy.

Coventry needed to score first to have any realistic chance of clawing back the deficit, but when no one picked up Sam Jones ghosting in at the far post to opening the scoring their test was made even harder just under 13 minutes in.

The Blaze began having chances of their own, the best coming wit a breakaway shortly after they went behind - but an excellently-timed Daniel Ciampini stick-lift thwarted the danger. Coventry failed to take advantage of some three odd-man rushes before they were eventually punished again. Robert Dowd skated into the zone and took the attention of the defensemen, allowing him to feed an on-rushing Brian Diffley to beat Kent five-hole as he missed the poke check.

Mack Stewart was denied a first goal for the Blaze when he was found in front by Nathan Ripley but Anthony Morrone was in his way. Robert Dowd took a bad pass in the zone but with some nifty footwork got himself a shot off that surprised Kent and put the Steelers 4-1 up at 29:34. The Blaze did eventually get the goal they deserved off an excellent 'bottle-popper' from Danny Kristo that Morrone may have wanted back. The Steelers added a fifth from Mitchell Balmas short side on a play where Patrick Watling took a shot square in the midriff prior to Balmas' finish two passes later.

Period three was played at less of a pace than the previous two. A small highlight on an otherwise difficult night for the Blaze was a 100% penalty kill with two Steelers powerplays seen off without conceding.

It was, however, the Steelers' night as the booked their place into a final that they have the honour of hosting.