Steelers come from behind to beat Giants

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers came back from two goals down to beat Belfast Giants 5-2 on Sunday evening, taking them second in the Elite League standings.

It was the perfect start for the Giants who went ahead inside 90 seconds to silence the Utilita Arena. Elijiah Barriga broke clean through on Matt Greenfield and beat him high blocker side to open the scoring at 1:25. A mistimed hit from Kevin Tansey resulted in him being ejected for Boarding five minutes later, setting up the visitors for a five-minute advantage. Barriga found that same top corner of Greenfield’s net at 11:22 to double the visitors’ lead, but the Steelers did survive the rest of the time without conceding.

A nothing play got the home side back into things. Daniel Leavens dropped a pass off to Patrick Watling whose innocuous shot slipped through Tom McCollum’s glove and into the net at 16:26.

Mitchell Balmas hit the post of McCollum’s net before the opening period was out.

McCollum did well to deny Marc-Olivier Vallerand after good set up play involving Robert Dowd and Mikko Juusola. Juusola then almost converted coast-to-coast but saw his shot saved, however the Steelers’ pressure did eventually see them equalise – Sasha Guimond shooting from the point past an excellent Daniel Ciampini screen to tie the game at 32:03. Watling then put the Steelers ahead at 38:28 as McCollum over-compensated on blocker side of his net, leaving the glove side high open for Watling to snipe into.

Belfast started the final period strong, but without creating a whole lot in front of Greenfield despite almost continuous puck possession for the opening five or so minutes of the period. With 10 minutes to play, new Steelers signing Veeti Vainio let a shot fly from the point that sailed into McCollum's net with Vallerand screening in front. Just over five minutes later, Robert Dowd added a fifth for the hosts to relax the crowd somewhat.