Steelers win 2024 Challenge Cup!

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers won the 2024 Challenge Cup with a 3-1 win over Guildford Flames at a sold-out Utilita Arena!

The home side would have wanted a good start in front of their own fans, and they got it just two minutes in - Robert Dowd's centring pass found the on-rushing Brien Diffley to slot past Eamon McAdam. The Steelers bossed the opening stages but Guildford gradually grew into the game and were eventually rewarded when Bradley Lalonde's shot through a screen beat Matt Greenfield at 13:48. 

Paul Dixon would have been hoping his team got to the break level, but a late Patrick Walting one-timer on the powerplay put Sheffield back ahead with 19 seconds left in the period.

Mitchell Balmas deflected Diffley's shot past Burman 4:35 into period two to extended their lead to two.

The Flames needed an early goal in period three but found an excellent Greenfield in their way. With eight minutes to play, the visitors had a series of chances on Greenfield's net but saw the puck either roll the wrong side of the goal, or into Greenfield's glove. Dixon pulled Burman with 2:15 to play but to no avail, as the home side held on resiliently to secure their first trophy since 2020.