Steelers two down after CHL R16 first leg

Photo: Dean Woolley

Sheffield Steelers will head to Berlin next week needing to make up two goals on Eisbären if they're to stay alive in the Champions Hockey League this season.

The Elite League side were beaten 5-3 at the Utilita Arena in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash, watched by 8.983 fans.

Zach Boychuk put Berlin into the lead with 1:25 left in the opening period, tapping home a rebound from a Ty Ronnie feed in front.

1:15 into period two, Liam Kirk's stretch pass found Blaine Byron who patiently held onto the puck before setting up Mitchell Reinke for the 2-0 lead. The Steelers were back into things under two minutes later, however, as a Kevin Tansey shot from the point was tipped in front by Mark Simpson to half the deficit at 23:53. 

Kirk was instrumental in Eisbären going back two ahead at 27:45. Daniel Leavens turned the puck over on his own blue line as the Steelers looked to break out, and Kirk's pass across the slot landed perfectly on the stick of Ty Ronning to make it 3-1.

Sam Tremblay, playing up from the Steeldogs, got onto a rebound from a Cole Shudra shot to bring the Steelers back to within one again, before the Steelers were back level before the break. A Dominic Cormier shot from the point made it all the way through to tie the game with 53 seconds left in period two.

All square heading into the final 20 minutes of the first leg, Byron got the crucial next goal, putting Berlin back ahead 3:58 into the third with a wrist shot in the slot after the Steelers turned the puck over in their own zone. A late Leo Pföderl one-timer beating Matt Greenfield with 3:24 to play ensured the visitors would leave with a two-goal head start heading into the return leg.