Steelers set to play for grand slam

Photo: Dean Wooley

Sheffield Steelers will play for the 2023/24 Grand Slam after a 6-3 Semi-Final victory over Guildford Flames, who pushed the league and cup champions all the way on Saturday afternoon.

In an opening period that the Steelers had the better off, Josh Nicholls put the Steelers ahead with 18 seconds t ogo before the buzzer - a shot going through traffic. Earlier in the first, Marc-Olivier Vallerand left the game on a stretcher with a lower-body injury.

A bad turnover in the Steelers end led to Jordan Klimek levelling from the slot with what turned out to be the only goal of a much more even middle period.

3:21 into the third, Matt Alvaro pounced on another turnover behind the Steelers net to slot home in front and put the Flames ahead. 75 seconds later, however, Brian Diffley tied the game,. Micthell Balmas then put the Steelers ahead with 10:23 to play, only for Steven McParland to punish another Steelers defensive error at 52:35. Two goals in under 90 seconds won it for the Steelers: Brandon Whistle went top shelf on Taz Burman to put Sheffield back into the lead, while Daniel Ciampini gave them a two-goal cushion with 4:15 to play. Scott Allen slotted into the empty net with 60 seconds to go to confirm the Steelers' place in the final.