Dowd sets new league record in Steelers win

Photo: Dean Woolley

Robert Dowd set a new Elite League points record with a key goal to help Sheffield Steelers to a 6-3 home win over Glasgow Clan, surpassing Colin Shield’s record of 739 with his 740th in the EIHL.

A Scrappy and scoreless first ten minutes included close efforts from both sides, most notably two close efforts from Steelers Captain Robert Dowd.

The opening goal went the way of the Steelers off the stick of American defenseman Brien Diffley at 14:12. A heavy forecheck from Mikko Juusola forced the Clan to cough up the puck behind their own net, and Juusola’s quick pass into the slot found oncoming Diffley finishing low past the pad of Clan netminder Landon Bow. The hosts doubled their lead through British forward Finlay Ulrick at 16:18: a cycle play from Diffley, Joona Huttula and Ulrick led to space opening for the young Brit. The one-time effort squeaked through Bow’s pads as the Clan goalie looked to thy is disbelief.

The Steelers opened up the second period with a close one-time effort from Colton Saucerman, followed by a couple of close chances from the Clan, a shot from Jameson deflected over the bar and a tip from Michael Pelech. A significant amount of offensive zone time eventually lead to a goal tipped in from Tyson McLellan on a shot from Steven Seigo at 29:15, trickling through the pads of Greenfield and over the goal line.

Both teams traded penalties late into the period, Huttula called for Interference and Sideroff for Slashing during the Powerplay. Balmas came close striking the pipe while 4-on-4, but as the Steelers returned to full strength Seigo levelled with 50 seconds left in the period – firing past Greenfield after his initial shot was blocked en route to the net.

Dowd put the Steelers back ahead with the goal that put him onto 740 EIHL points and sole possession of the all-time record, getting on a rebound from his own shot 4:15 into the final period. Brandon Whistle put the hosts back two ahead at 46:02 before Kevin Saney found the back of Bow’s net with 9:50 to play to put the Steelers 5-2 up. McLellan finished a nice odd-man rush at the back post to get Clan back to within two, but Mitchell Balmas’ goal with 5:42 to go wrapped things up for the hosts on an historic night for their captain.