Steelers win 2023/24 Elite League title!

Photo: Dean Woolley

A 7-3 win over Guildford Flames secured Sheffield Steelers the 2023/24 Elite Ice Hockey League title, their first since 2016.

The Steelers had a dream start against the team they'd defeated in the Challenge Cup Final some 10 days prior, going ahead off a special move from Patrick Watling with only 2:22 played. Scott Allen doubled the lead at 6:39, before Colton Saucerman found Marc-Olivier Vallerand for the one-time powerplay finish at 14:30 to have them three ahead after 20 minutes.

Flames captain Brett Ferguson got his team on the board 93 seconds into period two, and just 20 seconds later Mike Crocock's shot got through to suddenly make it a one-goal game. Kevin Tansey put the hosts back two ahead just under three minutes later, but the Flames were refusing to lay down were rewarded through Ferguson's second of the night coming on the powerplay at 33:48.

The opening minutes of period three, together with the closing stages of period two, were nervy for the home side who saw the Flames come with a lot of pressure. A huge air of relief went up in the Utilita Arena when Mitchell Balmas produced something special to put the Steelers 4-2 up at 46:45. Ciampini got on a rebound at 56:27 to confirm the Steelers would lift the league trophy on Sunday, while Vallerand's second powerplay marker of the evening added the icing on the Steelers' cake with 68 seconds to play.

The Steelers secured the league title with five games to spare and a goal difference of +110, also having not lost back-to-back games this season. They are also rewarded with a place in next season's Champions Hockey League.