Steelers defeated in Berlin, bow out of CHL

Photo: Mathias Renner

Sheffield Steelers memorable run in the Champions Hockey League 2024/25 came to an end in the Round of 16 in Berlin on Tuesday night, going down 4-2 at the Wellblechpalast to be eliminated by Eisbären 9-5 on aggregate.

Trailing by two from the first leg, the Steelers got off to the best possible start when a Marc-Olivier Vallerand wrist shot put them ahead on the night with 12:05 played. Marco De Filippo replaced Matt Greenfield in nets early in the period after the Steelers goalie received contact for Gabriel Fontaine.

The game changed over the course of 1:40 in the second period. Yannick Veilleux scored on the breakaway at 24:18 to level the score, while Korbinian Geibel wrist home in the slot 100 seconds later to put the hosts 2-1 ahead on the night and up by three on aggregate. 

Two minors in quick succession saw the Steelers on a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:47, leading Aaron Fox to call a timeout to set up plays, but without success xeven with De Filippo pulled.

Ty Ronning put Berlin 3-1 up on the night 8:53 into the final period which effectively sealed the tie. Mitchell Balmas pulled one back for the Steelers with three minutes to go, but Blaine Byron settled it on the empty net at 57:46 to ensure Eisbären would go on to the Quarter-Finals.